Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Legendary coach Vladislav Rotstorotsky, genius, innovator, and 'infinitely kind' according to top Russian sports journalist Elena Vaitsekhovskaya, died yesterday aged 85.   Vladislav coached Soviet heroes Lioudmilla Tourischeva, Natalia Shaposhnikova and Natalia Yurchenko amongst others, including 1981 Soviet team member Alla Shishova.  His creative work shaped much of the art of gymnastics on show today.  On vault, bars, beam and floor his gymnasts innovated and amazed.  The names of Yurchenko and Shaposhnikova are engraved in the sport's vocabulary. Rotstorotsky believed in gymnastics as an end to itself.  Gold medals were not the only aim.  A favourite saying of his was 'Do not shame gymnastics'.  He encouraged his athletes to participate in the arts and to enjoy literature, encouraging them to borrow books from his own private library.  'If those with whom I work grow up to be good and truthful people, it has been worth it all', he said.   After a spell