Coach Nabiyeva, happily engrossed with her little gymnasts in St Petersburg

'My little ones' says Tanya Nabiyeva in this personal photo of a training session she is leading. Tanya has been posting many videos of herself recently, in training for the Russian Championships where she will compete for her home team, St Petersburg - and perhaps hope for some individual reward. She looks very happy!

Alina and Anfesa, two young gymnasts from St Petersburg trained by World Champion Tatiana Nabiyeva in her hometown. 'Anfesa reminds me of myself as a child', says Tanya, 'blue eyes, big tummy, pigeon-toed. Doesn't understand the whole bargain at all!  Just looks up and smiles'.

Alina and Anfesa, who (I am guessing) are about 7 or 8 years old, will be 21 or 22 by the time the 2028 Olympics take place. One of the candidate cities for those Games? St Petersburg.

With thanks to Tanya for these lovely pictures, and her thoughts.  Oh ... GOOD LUCK for the forthcoming competition.

PS I am getting the same question from a lot of people - will Tanya 'definitely' compete?  My answer is - wait and see - there are no certainties in life, and especially in this sport.  Only a week to go till the Champs begin!  

Perhaps Tanya was joking - but she seems to be working pretty hard for a joke!  And enjoying it.  Her St Petersburg team would benefit from her contribution in Penza. I do not think you have to take her participation at nationals as a full 'comeback' attempt at international level - but who knows what might transpire in the coming months?  

My guess is that Tanya is happy in her new life and won't look back - but only she will know the answer to that ... And it might not be a decision that has been taken with any finality ... Life just isn't like that.  Patience.  It is the unexpected in life that can provide so many joys :-).