Russian national team gymnasts participated in a three-week-long training camp in Kamo, Japan. The camp was meant to check how the gymnasts would adapt to the climate, equipment, and training conditions in Japan. In addition to the seniors, promising Tokyo-eligible juniors, such as Vladislava Urazova, also participated. The Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation plans to use the facility for a short pre-Olympic training camp next summer as well, although the coaches and the gymnasts expressed their unhappiness with the climate (high humidity) and the accommodations (they lived in a traditional Japanese hotel with futons instead of beds).
Valentina Rodionenko, a national team coach, told R-Sport that the federation might potentially look for other options for the pre-Olympic camp:
“The weather cannot be changed, the same weather will be in Tokyo. Of course, we’d like better accommodations, They put a mattress on the floor, but that’s a cultural thing. They promised to fix everything if we come there for the camp before Tokyo. They worked really hard, the food was just amazing. The commute to the gym was 20 minutes. The gym was quite small, it was a bit cramped, but we brought a large training squad. For the Olympics, we’ll bring six guys and six girls, it will be easier. We plan on coming there 10 days before the Olympic village opens. Then we’ll move to the Olympic village and will continue preparing there for another week. Regarding the place of the camp, we’ve distributed questionnaires asking whether to choose this option or to look for another one.”
In not-so-surprising news, Valentina Rodionenko was quite unhappy with her star gymnasts Aliya Mustafina and Angelina Melnikova:
“The camp went well. Of course, it was hard because it was hot and humid but, generally, it was tolerable. Well, not everything is great. The women’s team has really big issues now, for instance, Mustafina and Melnikova. She is avoiding the training load, so we had a very serious talk with Angelina. We warned them that we won’t just take anyone to the World championships. There are questions for the head coach. It’s not a problem to assemble some team but this is Russia and we have no right to fight for some second and third places. We will have a full control over the training process now. We also have good young girls, they’ll compete at the Russian Cup, we’ll see.”
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Why do you think Valentina said Mustafina is a big issue. Aliya is too overweight to be champion of bars or anything. She can hurt herself. She should have to pay for breaking equipment from her weight.
Mustafina herself told the newspaper she was not in fitness shape . but I did not see this blog report this. It is spreading, the American agenda where you cannot tell professional athletes they are overweight. If you do they will sue you or commit suicide. Imagine losing your job for telling the truth.. You cant fire gravity !!
I was actually being facetious. BTW, she also said Melnikova had issues and I seriously doubt that Mustafina broke equipment due to “her weight”.
I think eating disorders are the usual result of being harassed about weight – not lawsuits or suicide lol. And eating disorders have led to death in many athletes. And many other severe life-long problems.
Why is it that Rodionenko needs to constantly tell the MEDIA that she thinks Mustafina is overweight? If she just wants to provide helpful coaching to ensure her gymnasts’ success, then it would make sense to speak directly to them and their coaches.
No weight complaints from VRod this time around?