Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

Isa Alexandrova has translated this conversation with Svetlana Boginskaya by Elena Vaitsekhovskaya. Svetlana Boginskaya leaps to a beam gold medal at the 1991 World Championships We hadn’t seen each other since the Olympic Games in Atlanta. After the Olympic Games, the three-time Olympic champion and five-time World champion Svetlana Boginskaya finished her gymnastics career. And pretty much disappeared from the public view, by moving to America … EV           Sveta, I tried to find on the internet at least some interviews with you, even any vague ones - and didn’t find any.   SB            I don’t really give interviews often, especially after the OG in Barcelona in 1992 and after I left for  America in 1993. EV            I remember that almost all of the gymnasts from your “Golden” team left to participate in the comme...

Alexander Alexandrov speaks to Elena Vaitsekhovskaya in Sport Express . Alexander Alexandrov.  Photo : Alexander Vilf for Sport Express The World Championships came to an end last Sunday in Antwerp. We had agreed to meet with the former head coach of the national team and personal coach to Olympic champion Aliya Mustafina at the beginning of the summer, when Alexander Alexandrov accepted the proposal to coach the Brazilian team. Yelena VAITSEKHOVSKAYA Antwerp, 08.10.2013 –  I know that in Brazil they promised you pots of gold, but later it became clear that there was not even a gym to work in there. Do you regret having signed the contract? –  What can I regret now? Nobody thought that the new gym complex just built in Rio was going to be destroyed. The Brazilians tried to convince me to be their head coach, again and again. In January they assured me that a new gym would be finished in the spring. Until now, it has not been built, and this is why...

A full Russian language translation is now available of Alexander Alexandrov's interview at : Anna Pavlova Online   Появилась версия интервью с Александром Александровым на русском языке на сайте Анны Павловой. За 5 минут все не прочитаешь, так что запаситесь временем, если хотите прочесть от начала до конца - оно того стоит!!!! Благодарим всех, кто помогал с переводом, а также отдельное спасибо лично Elizabeth Booth и сайту Rewriting Russian Gymnastics, где размещено оригинальное интервью. By permission of RRG. Спасибо, Dina Rantsevich, за организаторскую работу с группой переводчиков Copyright (c) Alexander Alexandrov/RRG 2013

Alexander Alexandrov at home on the day of his interview.  Copyright (c) Alexander Alexandrov I thought it might be useful to provide a brief guide to the interview in its various parts.  This shouldn't be regarded as comprehensive, nor is it an analysis in any way. I don't recommend that you target your reading on this basis; if you are really interested in Alexandrov, I would recommend you take the time to read it from start to finish - yes, all five parts.  It takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending on your reading speed. This post is just a quick way for you to see what appears where, to help you to know where your favourite parts are if you want to go back and re-read. In about a fortnight, when we have all had a chance to digest Alexander's words, I will write an analysis of the interview as I see it.  There is a little more primary evidence to present of how things are working in Russia at the moment; I am waiting so as not to 'drown...

There is a great interview at the VTB website with Alexander Alexandrov.  The Russian WAG head coach discusses the Olympics, the pros and cons of his team's performances, and some of the differences between  working in Russia and the States. Just look and see what he says about Grishina's training arrangements!! I'm expecting a formal announcement some time soon about the coaching staff at Lake Krugloye.  I simply hope that they can find an arrangement that makes the best use of the coaching talent in Russia and gives the head coach the right level of authority.  And, as far as I am concerned : who else in Russia could possibly replace the inimitable Alexandrov?  Mustafina and the team need him!  The Russian team also needs to consider succession planning as Alexandrov, Rodionenko and the like cannot go on forever.   Now read on ... Alexander Alexandrov.  Picture courtesy of the RGF Alexander Alexandrov , head coach of the ...