Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Aerial view of Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro. It's 2016, a year of many hopes and promises for us all, Olympians or not.  We are all looking forward at this time of the year and I hope everyone achieves at least a little of what they plan.  Begin your work now, and enjoy the journey.  Most of all I wish everyone much happiness and peace. In Russia, the gymnasts are back at Lake Krugloye and beginning their preparations for the summer, 'step by step' as Aliya Mustafina put it this morning on her Instagram.  Sergei Starkin has been keen to stress the importance of the men's team and in particular Denis Ablyazin to Russia's Olympic effort.   Valentina Rodionenko has made some announcements of team membership for the summer Olympics, but these are too early to make any difference - everyone is training for the Games and the key decisions will be taken much later in the year.  The announcements were initially made via the Russian Olympic C...

Fan art - from Aliya Mustafina's fan page on VK.com We first read the news on RSport (thank you Lifje on Gymfever) - Aliya has a new coach, Sergei Starkin.  Sergei is already well known - as coach to World Champion Denis Ablyazin and some other senior MAG gymnasts on the national team. Source -  http://m.rsport.ru/artist_gym/20141216/795355013.html The first question on people's lips - 'can a men's coach train a female gymnast?' will best be answered over the coming two years.  But we already have a historical precedent for greatness: Alexander Alexandrov, iconic coach to countless champions, including Aliya herself, found his spurs as coach to 1983 and 1987 World Champion, the Mozart of gymnastics, Dmitri Bilozerchev.   The second question - will Raisa Ganina continue to be involved in Aliya's career? - well, we have to wait and see.  I personally hope so - considering Ganina's skillful interpretation of the Code and her outstanding work in enhancing Aliya...

Vladimir Zaglada's latest book, Gymmy the Owl and His Friends Do you want to know the difference between flexibility and plasticity?  Find out why it is so difficult to do a handstand on a balance beam?  Know what it is that your pet cat can do easily that you have to spend hours practising?  Vladimir Zaglada's latest book will help you.  A charming collection of poems and colourful, humourous pictures (by Katya Korobkina) explains some of the vital facts about gymnastics and is full of wonder at the gymnastic feats of the natural world as well as those we humans perform in the gym..  This book is for children, but parents and carers will love it too - it's perfect for a shared read. The book concludes as the King of Beasts, Lion the Coach in his Dynamo club tracksuit, introduces himself: " Gymmy's told me all about you And he knows a thing or two. You are all with gifts endowed, And I know you'll make me proud." This beautiful book is ...