Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

For so many of my generation, Olga Korbut opened the door to the wonders of gymnastics.  Her performances at the Munich Olympics embrace so much of what the Russian gymnasts uniquely now present on the competitive podium : tantalizing personality, complex expression and unique, original skill. As we begin the final run up to the 2012 Olympics, the BBC remembers Olga in this video coverage , available to viewers in the UK. It is hard to believe that it is almost 40 years since I saw Olga for the first time, on my little black and white TV screen.   I had never known gymnastics before that day, and have never ceased to be enthralled by the sport since.  She spawned an unprecedented surge in gymnastics participation, and inspired emotion that has endured for almost half a century.  There has never been anyone quite like Olga. I wonder what memories we will have of London?

Viktoria Komova at last week's press day.  Note the background banner advertising sponsors VTB.  Photo by Elena Mikhailova, by kind permission of the RGF The Russian gymnasts and coaches are busy preparing for the London Olympics, and barely interrupted their regular training to make time to speak to journalists at the Russian National Training Centre in Round Lake ( Krugloye in Russian). Photographer Elena Mikhailova was on hand to record proceedings.  As ever, the reticent Russians do not reveal over much about themselves - what is said could probably have been intelligently guessed anyway, on the basis of results and other reports.  Nevertheless, it's helpful to hear how the girls themselves are feeling about their preparations and to see how happy and healthy they look in the pictures.  Alexandrov gives some details of their travel plans to London and Valentina Rodionenko reveals a framework for the national team composition, suggesting it revolves aro...

Since my somewhat disastrous attempts at forecasting the national team for the 2011 World Championships, I have decided to steer clear of predictions. But the Russians have just published details of their official squads for 2012 so we do have some information to chew over. This is the first in a series of blogs where I will present the names of the national team members : women, men, the various junior ranks, and the coaches. It's still early days, and who knows who will survive the precarious path towards fitness for the Olympics. Oh my goodness, how I would like to see them ALL in peak condition by the time of the Olympics. At the present time, it is clear that the American women's team is by far the strongest and deepest in the world. John Geddert's recent Facebook declaration (19th January) that 'the USA looks better than ever' demonstrates the confidence that makes them almost inevitable winners in London. The Russian team will challenge strongly, though...

My friend Tracey and I were lucky enough to be able to get some of the last tickets for an official tour of the Olympic Park in Stratford.  As we look forward to the Games, I'm glad to be a Londoner.  The development and regeneration done for these Games is impressive and there is a real feeling of optimism that not only embraces the forthcoming festival, but is also about renewal. One great thing about London is the mix of old and new.  For example, as I walk across the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, I have a view of Canary Wharf and the Docklands developments that are a relatively 'new' part of London's prosperity.  I am overlooking the (sometimes rather smelly) River Thames, the centre of so much of London's past, present and future.  Downriver, I see the Dome, erected to celebrate the Millenium in 2000.  I'm standing within a World Heritage site acknowledged by UNESCO as 'the finest and most dramatically sited architectural and l...

Well, folks, if you were hoping to obtain gymnastics tickets and weren't successful at the first bidding, it seems unlikely you will manage to make it into the 02 Arena next summer - according to a report on BBC News this afternoon, the Artistic Gymnastics has already sold out.  This makes gymnastics one of the most popular sports alongside the shooting events, swimming, tennis, athletics, cycling, and diving. If you want to try again: The second wave of bidding, open only to those who applied in the first wave but were unsuccessful in obtaining any tickets at all, will open at 6 am on the 24th June and run till the 3rd July.  You should receive an email today informing you if you were unsuccessful in your bid and I'm assuming there will be a link provided in the email to help you to put your second application in.  A further 2.3m tickets will be available, 1.7m of which are for football :-(  A publication detailing the exact ticket availability by sport s...

2010 may well be looked back on as a revolutionary year for Russian women’s gymnastics, although the turn round is not yet complete. Only outstanding results in 2011 will cement the good beginning of 2010 and provide a basis for the key year of 2012. New and even newer talent will need to establish itself in what is becoming a fearsomely competitive national and international scene. All gymnasts will have to perform at their best if the team is to show its strongest face. The Russian coaches will have to make some difficult selection decisions if they are to strengthen and deepen the team as they approach the Olympic year. Their ultimate goal will of course be to present the best possible team in 2012, in addition to making a strong showing at this year’s major competitions. They have a very young squad, many of whom will need battle hardening before the London outing, and they also need to solidify their team identity and roles, and enhance reputations. I suppose there is o...