Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

   Olympic test event medallists on the uneven bars.   Anastasia Grishina (centre) gold, Youna Dufourney (France) silver, Jinnan Yao (China) bronze Picture : FIG/Volker Minkus At the end of the day, Russian Princess Anastasia Grishina won through with a splendid competitive performance on bars that fully deserved the gold medal.  It was great to hear the Russian national anthem played for the first time in the Olympic venue.  Let's hope it is prescient for many other airings during the summer.    New!  There is a very nice brief interview with Anastasia at the All Around blog. Full results of the test event FIG Youtube Channel including archived live coverage of all the finals and selected routine coverage from qualifications Piibunina's Youtube Channel including individual routine videos from the test event It wasn't an easy competition for the Russians, by far, this test event.  First time senior international, Anastasia Grishina...

Blythe at the Gymnastics Examiner is doing quick hits of podium training here . Just covering the third subdivision which includes Russians Yulia Inshina and Anastasia Grishina. It has also just been confirmed that the FIG will be doing online streaming of the events finals which take place on Thursday and Friday evenings from 6.30 London time. I believe this is the link. With thanks to the All Around for this news (All Around is also doing quick hits on their Facebook page). All Around also has more comprehensive coverage here !

A revised roster for the women's competition at next week's Olympic test event is now available. Competing for Russia will be Moscow's Anastasia Grishina, who will turn 16 on the 16th January, and World Championships team member Yulia Inshina. This is a solid selection - neither gymnast has anything to lose, indeed Grishina can only gain from this new competitive experience and exposure.  Inshina's calm competitive attitude can only help her team mate along in what might be a daunting first senior competitive experience.  The 02 arena is huge, and far from my favourite venue for a gymnastics competition.  As a spectator I would go so far as to say it lacks intimacy and involvement; goodness knows what it is like for the gymnasts. We had hoped to see Anastasia Sidorova at this competition, but apparently her wrist injury (sustained during a biking accident last summer) is still causing her discomfort. Grishina has significant respect from Russian team coach Alexa...