Devyatovski and Alexandrov put forward their opinions of the forthcoming World Championships in Fukushima in an English Language translation of an article available here.
A representative of the Japanese Federation has visited Lake Krugloye to discuss arrangements at the world championships and to try to reassure competitors of the safety of the environment. Russia is the only country to be favoured with such a visit.
Devyatovski's reaction is on the emotional side: he points out that the gymnasts will have to be there for a minimum of ten days and that the gymnasts are likely to be distracted by their own security concerns. He finishes his interview: 'Can you guarantee that I'll be able to have a child afterwards?'
Alexandrov is more pragmatic, pointing out the sporting political pressures the Russians were under to agree to compete in Japan, in particular the fact that next year a new FIG President will be up for election and of course that qualification for London rests on this year's World Championships. He also highlights that the Russian government had declared Japan a safe territory back in April and that the Sports Ministry has no power to act independently of that.
Of most interest gymnastically is Alexandrov's opinion that without Mustafina and Komova the American team will most probably have a clear advantage over Russia at Worlds if they are held in Japan. Although clearly he thinks the competition is close --- because if the competition were held in Russia, a home advantage may be enough to sway things the Russians' way.
A representative of the Japanese Federation has visited Lake Krugloye to discuss arrangements at the world championships and to try to reassure competitors of the safety of the environment. Russia is the only country to be favoured with such a visit.
Devyatovski's reaction is on the emotional side: he points out that the gymnasts will have to be there for a minimum of ten days and that the gymnasts are likely to be distracted by their own security concerns. He finishes his interview: 'Can you guarantee that I'll be able to have a child afterwards?'
Alexandrov is more pragmatic, pointing out the sporting political pressures the Russians were under to agree to compete in Japan, in particular the fact that next year a new FIG President will be up for election and of course that qualification for London rests on this year's World Championships. He also highlights that the Russian government had declared Japan a safe territory back in April and that the Sports Ministry has no power to act independently of that.
Of most interest gymnastically is Alexandrov's opinion that without Mustafina and Komova the American team will most probably have a clear advantage over Russia at Worlds if they are held in Japan. Although clearly he thinks the competition is close --- because if the competition were held in Russia, a home advantage may be enough to sway things the Russians' way.
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