Just to let you all know, I am trying to get a translation of a local (Saransk/Mordova) press report that is critical of former Soviet and Russia head coach Leonid Arkayev. Leonid's contract as head coach of the local facility (the Arkayev Gymnastics Centre ) was terminated last October. There are three key allegations : (i) that he is difficult to work with and that his training methods are outdated (ii) that there are financial improprieties relating to his state accommodation and to the trading of gymnastics competition titles and (iii) that he has been molesting female gymnasts and that the girls do not feel comfortable around him. Everybody wants to know whether this is believable. From what I have been able to garner via personal contacts and online comments, views are polarised. Some influential people have been critical in the past - this isn't surprising for someone in such a high profile position. It is difficult to judge. It is plain that Ar...
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources. I read, I argue, and I have opinions. Be warned.