Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Google translate of a Match TV interview with Olympic Champion Viktoria Listunova.  With thanks to the gymnastics group on VK.com Victoria Listunova told Match TV about her recovery from injury on the air of the program “Above Olympus”. “The year didn’t start off very well. I had a back injury. Now I have to work hard on it [recovery], devote time to it. That’s why even now my main activities are training, then a trip to the medical center, where I undergo various procedures, exercise therapy, and see a doctor. He gives various recommendations on what to do next.” What is your goal? “To leave my mark on gymnastics, to create my own history.” Will you watch the Olympics? “I don’t know. Maybe! (laughs) I don’t know for sure yet. I would watch.” How should I think now? “I haven’t had a situation where I was very upset or anything. I just always live with this thought: “We’ll get through it!” I always hold on to this thought everywhere.” Aren’t you sad? “No! (smiles).” We’re looking fo...

Viktoria has travelled to these games, but isn’t competing AA or at full strength.  She’ll be supporting her team, and she says she will also be following the international teams here. In Sovietski Sport, senior coach Valentina Rodionenko explains: ‘ Senior coach of the Russian national artistic gymnastics team Valentina Rodionenko spoke about the condition of Victoria Listunova, who was not allowed to fully compete at the BRICS Games.  💬We are taking care of Victoria Listunova, I will tell you honestly. We are under the supervision of doctors, because she has a problem. We were given time so that we would not burden her with elements that are difficult for her specific section of the spine. Now we specifically did not allow her to compete, although she is very eager. You know, doctors tell us not to rush, and we listen to them. Now she was going through, I tell her: "Vika, calm down, no need." I think that she will be suitable for the Cup in Novosibirsk. She needs gentle el...