RRG can confirm (with thanks to Vladimir Zaglada) that Alexander Alexandrov has now left Moscow (with effect from 1st June) and will be taking up a coaching position in Brazil as soon as the fine details are sorted out.
Patience please as we try to verify the exact details ... eyes peeled for Brazil or Russian press reports.
Aliya Mustafina fans, don't panic ... at 18, Aliya is very mature and she will learn from this experience. The writing has been on the wall for some time. This is a sad moment for Russian gymnastics, but it is also a new beginning for all concerned.
My very best wishes to Alexander as he begins his new life.
Patience please as we try to verify the exact details ... eyes peeled for Brazil or Russian press reports.
Aliya Mustafina fans, don't panic ... at 18, Aliya is very mature and she will learn from this experience. The writing has been on the wall for some time. This is a sad moment for Russian gymnastics, but it is also a new beginning for all concerned.
My very best wishes to Alexander as he begins his new life.
I'm from Brazil and I'm sad for Mustafina but VERY happy for my country because I think the Alexandrov a coach incredible!! I know he will bring many advances and benefits for gymnastics in my country :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously concerned about not Musty but the whole Russian program. All of their success since 2010 was because of him. Yes they have strong gymnasts but having a great head coach can make all the difference. Hope they can continue their success through this next quad.
ReplyDeleteI personally think Aliya will move on and survive in gymnastics - her talent is bigger than this. I remember when Svetlana Boguinskaia lost her coach - under extremely tragic circumstances. Attempts were made to match her with an individual personal coach but nothing really seemed to work. However, Boguinskaia was such a talented and experienced gymnast by then, she seemed to become the collective responsibility of a number of different coaches and everything worked fine. I do not think this signals the end for Mustafina. Russia must be mad to let Alexandrov go, but it is a new chapter for everyone concerned ...
ReplyDeleteAnd, by the way, I think Alexndrov will do great things for Brazil!
ReplyDeleteSeriously what is wrong with RGF? This man brought them back from obscurity in 4 years! They went from winning nothing in Beijing to getting their first World Team Gold and their first Gold medal in 12 years in London all thanks to him. And this is what they do? I just don't get it. This will be great for Brazil we might be able to see a full team in 2016. Though Alexandrov might have to be there awhile before they're good enough to go toe-to-toe with the Big 4. Assuming their governing bodies give them the resources they need. I know Arthur Zanetti complained about gymnastics not getting the proper funding and having to train in a gym with 300 other athletes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this will affect Aliya's gymnastics, she's to good. Whether or not they'll be able to find a coach that can handle her is another question.