Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

People often say that sport and politics don’t mix, and the situation with Russia shows why. First, its athletes were banned from competing in the Olympics. Now, they have been allowed back in. We have to try to think - which is right? The real problem in the world right now is war, not sport. Some leaders think fighting is the only way to solve things. And the people who run the Olympics think that banning countries will somehow stop wars. It hasn’t worked. When Russia was not allowed to compete, gymnastics felt different. Some people thought it was less exciting. Now the Russian gymnasts are coming back, and everyone is wondering how they will manage. Can they get ready in time for the Olympics? The IOC — the organisation that runs the Olympics — first banned Russia and is now letting them return. Other sports groups are following their lead. Their rules are very strict and written in legal language. They are not talking about feelings or fairness, only about laws. There is also a...

  Sport is not the problem, world politics is.   Put another way, speaking as a feminist, only men could believe that the answer to any problem is to bomb, shoot, kill and maim.   And, speaking as a sports afficionado, only the IOC could believe that isolating nations from the Olympic mission of peace and friendship might solve the problem of war.   Is sport ‘war without the shooting’?      Politics and sport do not mix, that’s for sure.   Am I the only one who found gymnastics without the Russkies just a little bit flat and boring?     Now we have them back and have to contemplate how their gymnasts will cope in a new age.   Can they revive their motivation and get back in time to compete as a team at the Olympics?     The IOC started the sanction, and now it’s attempting to stop it.   They are the ones who hold the power, and their approach is mirrored by the sporting federations who are gradually letting Ru...

World Gymnastics has lifted all restrictions on Russian gymnasts competing in international competitions.  There is an official announcement on their website.  If I have understood, the gymnasts will be able to compete under their flag, and receive their medals to the Russian national anthem.   I can only assume that this means that all athletes without neutral status will be able to compete, as they won’t be neutral any more … so I think ànd hope that this means that Viktoria Listunova will be eligible for Worlds this year!! This is just a quick post to keep all you readers up to date.  As soon as there is more, I will update.  https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=4787896 Updated 08.59 Re Europeans - Match TV reporter, Dima Zanin, says that the UEG hasn’t yet lifted its restrictions, so Russian gymnasts will compete as neutral athletes in Zagreb, at the European Championships this summer. Angelina Melnikova travelled to deliver an addr...

All the latest people news from Russia!  With thanks to the gymnasts and coaches whose social media posts fuel this article. The teams from Russia are enjoying a recovery break in Antalya, Turkey, this week and last. Elizaveta Us took this selfie with Liudmilla Roschina, Milena Kaiumova, Anna Kalmykova, Viktoria Listunova, Alena Glotova ànd Zlata Osokina. Senior coach of the junior team, World and multiple Olympic Champion Aliya Mustafina is also with the team, and has her daughter with her. Meanwhile, in his home town of Ekaterinberg, David Belyavski is training every day to prepare for his national championships. He expects to compete on parallel bars and pommel, although he admits he doesn't really know ... it depends how his training goes. David is now 34 years old and a dedicated father to his daughter, Alyssa, 8. Alyssa too trains every day, as a tennis player, and has already taken part in her first tournament. David says that he wants her to understand that if she love...

Dmitri Andreev, Russia’s gymnastics leader now that Andrei Rodionenko has stepped into an advisory capacity, is a long standing national coach and well respected international judge.  Now, as gymnastics in Russia steps forward onto the international arena once more, (via its neutral athletes, coaches and officials), it’s up to Andreev and his team to support and structure the growth and development of gymnastics.   Russia’s first big goal as neutral athletes is to qualify for the Olympics at the October World Championships.  Many of the gymnasts have limited experience on the big stage.  The necessary placements are therefore a big ask - especially emotionally and psychologically.   Here is how Andreev sees things working. 1. Transition Phase: Building Toward Major Goals The Russian team is in a deliberate rebuilding and preparation phase. Early-season competitions like the Russian Cup serve more as evaluation tools than peak performances. The primary obj...