Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

I will never forget the first time I saw the new generation of Ukraine gymnasts - Verniaiev, Radivilov and Stepko - compete alongside each other.  They reminded me of the Soviets of old, with their proud bearing and determination to be the best.  With Kuksenkov, they were arguably Europe's best MAG team - stronger, more tight knit as a team than neighbours Russia; more charisma and originality than Britain.  Ukraine's tragic loss of a team medal at the Olympics in London didn't stop Igor Radivilov winning a spirited bronze medal on the vault, and he continues to reaffirm his status here and on the rings each year.   Oleg Verniaiev, a native of Donetsk, is gradually establishing himself as the world's leading rival to Kohei Uchimura, winning gold AA at the American Cup and repeatedly confirming his ranking as the world's best parallel bars worker.  He is also, surely, that rare and elusive thing - a MAG fan favourite.   If you want proof that sport transcend...

It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it ... Former Soviet international, now choreographer at the Leonid Arkayev Gymnastics Centre in Saransk, Natalia Karamushka leads her girls in this perfect floor complex. Attitude, balance, posture ... they all make gymnastics watchable and provide a basis for great form and amplitude in the acrobatic and gymnastic skills. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=469929073171664 The music is wonderful - it is Contrast by Igor Krutoy - you can download it from ITunes.

Photograph of Stella Zakharova, courtesy of the Kiev Times Amid rising political and military tensions in Ukraine, former Soviet gymnastics champion Stella Zakharova, now a resident of Kiev, is struggling to find government support for her gymnastics competition, the Stella Zakharova Cup, last year supported by a strong field of competitors including teams from Russia, Japan and Brazil as well as the home team.   The competition is reliant on government support for part of its funding and also for confirmation of the competition dates.  Originally scheduled for March 29th and 30th, the competition was first rescheduled for April but its postponement currently appears indefinite.  Zakharova is complaining that  Minister of Sport and Youth, Dmitri Bulatov, is ignoring her requests for support and information.  She is conducting a fairly vocal campaign, having appeared recently on Ukrainian radio and in a number of local press reports.  The latest story about ...

I want to send my love to Ukraine, and Russia, at this difficult time, in the hope that peace and stability can take the upper hand. The rumour is that Ukraine's Oleg Stepko has moved to Baku to train and compete as part of the Azerbaijan national team. Stella Zakharova has also been on TV saying that she hopes to stage the Zakharova Cup this year, but that things are very difficult. Ukraine and Russia are friends and rivals on the gymnastics podium.   I found the banner above on a Russian social media site that is regularly used by both Russians and Ukrainians.  Please post the banner on your social media sites, let's try to make a bigger noise for peace than is being made for war. Updated 15.28 Sunday.  1996 Olympic Champion Lilia Podkopayeva says on Facebook Lilia Podkopayeva Я – Лилия Подкопаева. Мама двоих чудесных малышей. Где бы мы не жили – во Львове, или в моем родном Донецке, мы – женщины, жены, мамы – хотим одного – счастливой жизни и мирно...