Andrei Rodionenko talked to the media about the results of the World Championships for the Russian team. He praised Aliya Mustafina and said the team really needs her:
“Aliya wanted to be here, she earned that right. She has already said that she understands she can fight for a spot on the Olympic team. She’s ready for it and that is the most important thing. Yesterday, we discussed the possibilities for upgrading on every event, and the most important is her desire to work hard. The team needs her, that’s for sure”.
Rodionenko said that the women’s team currently doesn’t have much depth and mentioned that they didn’t have anyone to replace injured Angelina Simakova but did not explain why UlianaPerebinosova wasn’t in the running:
“We lack the pipeline from the lower levels, from the junior team. The reserve benches are too short. Simakova got injured and there was no one to replace her. The guys have longer benches, there are options. But the girls’ bench is so short. And it’s the matter of age, too. They are trying but not everything works out. We need them to start believing in themselves”.
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What happened to Vika, Andrei?