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Alexander Alexandrov to coach Brazilian WAG?

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It seems that former WAG national coach, now personal coach to Aliya Mustafina, Alexander Alexandrov, is considering an invitation from the Brazilian Gymnastics Federation to take on the role of national senior WAG coach there as they prepare for the Rio Olympics.  Alexandrov would be working alongside his former colleague Oleg Ostapenko, junior WAG coach, who left the Russian junior team for Brazil in 2010, and would no doubt considerably strengthen the Brazilian gymnasts as they prepare for their home Olympics.

Nothing is certain yet: Alexandrov went on a fact finding tour to view training facilities and meet the gymnasts recently, and still has to make his decision. If he were to decide to go, he would be a significant loss to the Russian WAG team and in particular to Russia's only Olympic gold medal gymnast.  Alexandrov had recently confirmed that the Russian Ministry of Sport had asked him to stay in Russia and he appears on the RGF's recently published list of coaches.  However, the Brazilian Federation benefits from significant financial support as it prepares for its home Olympic Games in 2016, meaning that it can probably afford to make Alexandrov a very attractive offer.  I would assume that Alexandrov's decision is also likely to be influenced by his working relationship with the senior team leadership, Andrei and Valentina Rodionenko, and whether he feels he is likely to have the autonomy to give the best to his gymnast/s.

View the source articles here, here and here.  Google translates work pretty well, but we should wait for official confirmation of Alexandrov's final decision ...  this decision, apparently, is due tomorrow.  Do not hold your breath though, I have known such negotations to take weeks.

With many thanks to Bernard Abdo who provided the links at GymFever.

Alexander Alexandrov (third from left) during a recent trip to view training facilities in Brazil

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  1. M30 January 2013 at 22:14

    It would be a big loss if he does take it. Also if he does, I wonder where Aliya gets another coach.

    Too many times Russia are losing their best coaches for various reasons, although I am sure Rodioneko's has to do with a lot of them.

    I wouldn't want him to leave especially for Aliya's sake, but if the working relationship with the others are toxic, anything can happen. I guess we will wait and see.

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    1. Queen Elizabeth30 January 2013 at 22:24

      It is worrying - Alexandrov is like a cipher for Russian success and I would hate the team to lose him.
      But this might well turn out to be nothing ... even perhaps a two week workshop that he will run for them :-).

      Delete
    2. M31 January 2013 at 00:14

      It would be great if it is just a workshop or something. Since he had returned the Russian program has changed for the better. However, if he leaves, Russia loses another great coach.

      We will just have to wait and see.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous31 January 2013 at 08:14

      Yes, it's worrying. As a Brazillian, I would be very happy if a great coach as Alexandrov could work here, on the other side, it would be terrible to Mustafina.:(.And Alexandrov looked pretty entusiastic about training conditions, so I don't know... My intuition says he will accept, but I hope he doesn't.

      Delete
  2. Queen Elizabeth31 January 2013 at 20:07

    Lupita now confirms that the Revistaon article says that the invitation from the Brazilian Federation is to work in Brazil for a period of six months.

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    1. M31 January 2013 at 21:44

      whew, that sounds better. Do they know when that would be. I know Aliya has a lot of tournaments she wants to do this year. Especially the Universiade. I would hope he works with her for that as well as the Russian, European and World Championships.

      So maybe there is some free time after World Championship?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous1 February 2013 at 05:34

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Queen Elizabeth1 February 2013 at 07:59

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Queen Elizabeth1 February 2013 at 08:12

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Queen Elizabeth1 February 2013 at 11:44

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Queen Elizabeth6 February 2013 at 16:23

    The latest on this (via Brazil gym blog) is that Alexandrov is unlikely to join Brazil during the year of 2013 - the Federation were unable to draw a deal with him.
    So for the time being, it looks most likely that Alexandrov will remain in Russia.
    http://www.gymblogbrazil.com.br/2013/02/futuro-de-alexandrov-no-brasil-ainda-e.html

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