Valentina Rodionenko talked to the Russian Olympic Committee about gymnasts dealing with the quarantine and when they can potentially go back to training. Rodionenko recently said she hoped the training would be resumed in May but now the Ministry of Sports is saying training centers will stay closed until June at the very least. Considering that the outbreak in Russia and, especially, in Moscow region where Round lake is located is only worsening, it seems unlikely that gymnasts will be able to resume training soon. Rodionenko said she was surprised by the FIG’s decision to still hold the World Championships next year (Worlds normally aren’t held in Olympic years).
A: For us, it was an unexpected decision by the FIG to keep the World Championships next year. It might become the third serious competition of the season. We also don’t know the new dates of the European Championships which were supposed to take place now – at the end of April for women and in May for men. They can also be postponed for a year.
Q: Will the same athletes compete at the World Championships and at the Games in Tokyo?
A: Not necessarily. National federations will be making decisions. Six men and four women can participate at the World Championships. There will be an all-around competition and event finals. There will not be a team competition. That’s the main feature of the World Championships that take place a year after the Games. And the format won’t change in 2021.
Q: When will the athletes be able to start training properly?
A: We are discussing this issue with the Ministry of Sports. But it’s necessary to thoroughly design the safety system for training centers, so that it wouldn’t be like what happened in Novogorsk. Teams vying for Olympic medals train at Round Lake – fencing, swimming, synchronized swimming, and artistic gymnastics. There are 14 sets of medals being contended for in our sport and we have good chances for getting onto the medal stand in every event. So we really hope that the training center will be opened in May and we will be able to resume training.
Q: How are the athletes feeling now and where are they?
A: No one’s sick, everything’s fine. Everyone was sent home and we tried to avoid using public transportation. Some of the guys had cars parked at Round Lake. They were brought to the entrance by bus from Novogorsk. Then an employee brought the cars to the entrance and the guys drove home. There were issues with the transfer of Sergei Naidin who was at a hospital because he tested positive for the coronavirus. By the way, the subsequent tests did not confirm the diagnosis. He’s home in Barnaul now, he’s also fine.
Q: How are gymnasts staying in shape while at home?
A: Everyone has assignments they need to do at home. In these situation, they can only do conditioning. Although the gyus are trying to do some elements on home equipment. But it won’t replace training at the gym.
Q: Do you follow their progress?
A: We are constantly in touch. All the candidates for the Olympic team are being closely monitored. But our athletes are responsible people. And they understand that it’s hard to get back in shape in an elite sport.
Q: The guys are trying to release their energy and doing acrobatic tricks at home. Isn’t it dangerous?
A: Of course, we scold them for that. But you can understand them, too. When people had been working hard for so long, prepared their routines, and thought that only a few steps were left [until the destination] and this happened….
Q: How long is a normal vacation of a gymnast?
A: We don’t really have an off season. The competition schedule is very busy. The longest break between the camps they had was 10 days. Only last year, after the World Championships, we allowed several athletes – those that we were confident would adhere to their routine – to rest a bit more.
Q: What can change in a year?
A: I think that the main contenders for the team will stay the same. The most important thing is for that year to be injury-free. When we’ll be allowed to resume training at the center, we will have to get them back in shape very carefully and gradually.
Q: Can Aliya Mustafina use this year in order to come back and fight for a right to compete at the Tokyo Olympics?
A: If Aliya will manage to get back in shape, then, of course, she can come and assert this right at competitions. No one is closing this road for her. But the competition on the women’s team will be higher next year. Two very strong young gymnasts are joining the senior team – the Junior World AA Champion Victoria Listunova and Maria Minaeva. According to the rules, 16 -year-olds are able to compete at the Games. While they couldn’t participate in the selection this year, they will be competing for a spot on the Olympic team in 2021.
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