With multiple countries deciding to withdraw from the 2020 European Championships, it looked to be a Russian party on the medal podium. Russia was among the few countries very insistent that nothing would stop them from attending Euros. Yet, today came the official announcement that both MAG and WAG will withdraw from the competition. Among other countries that withdrew are Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, and Norway. Ireland and Belgium opted not to send WAG gymnasts but, as of now, are still sending MAG gymnasts.
Andrei Rodionenko told R-Sport:
“This is due to the epidemiological situation. Our main goal is to preserve the health of our athletes and coaches. The team has a goal – the Olympics – and each national team member is its gold reserve. The goal for the upcoming European Championships was earning Olympic spots but since the Olympic qualification was moved to the 2021 European Championships, we decided not to risk it. Thanks very much to all our organizations that are taking care of us. We are preparing for the next European Championships and treasure our athletes of all levels. They will fight for gold at the Olympics”.
Although, it seems, the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation treasures some athletes a bit more than others. Earlier, it was announced that top gymnasts will skip the 2020 Russian Championships due to the risk of infection but the competition was not canceled and gymnasts from all around the country came to Penza to participate in a potential superspreader event.
Valentina Rodionenko said that there might be an internal competition for the national team members in December as a replacement:
“We made the decision to withdrew from the European Championships. 12 countries have already withdrawn because of the coronavirus and difficult political situation. It’s a pity that this year we will not have an opportunity to compete at such a big competition. Perhaps, in December, we will organize a special competition for national team members”.
Vasily Titov, the head of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation, said it would be impossible to travel to Euros safely:
“For us, the health of the athletes is more important than anything else now. Due to the difficult epidemiological situation here and in Turkey we made the decision to keep working at our training camps. This is our decision. Of course, we would like to see all the strongest athletes at a competition but the circumstances are stronger than us. We calmly looked at the situation and decided not to go. It would be practically impossible to ensure the safety of the Russian team with complicated logistics”.
Russia, however, still plans to attend the Friendship and Solidarity competition in Japan on November 8th. That is despite some coronavirus-related issues in both countries. It has been announced today that Kohei Uchimura tested positive for COVID-19. Uchimura was tested as a part of the preparation for the competition. He currently does not have symptoms but his training will likely be interrupted due to the need to quarantine and thus, he will probably withdraw from the event. The rest of the team have tested negative but the Japanese federation is monitoring the situation and willing to pull the team out if more test positive.
Yesterday, another high-profile gymnast announced a positive test – Larisa Iordache. Iordache was finally able to return to training this year after a long recovery from the injury she sustained at the 2017 Montreal World Championships. She will have to miss the national team verification but hopes to recover in time for the Nationals.
Nina Derwael had a coronavirus scare when her boyfriend tested positive but her own test was negative and she was able to return to training.
Of course, the coronavirus news would not be complete without some puzzling Russian drama. Valentina Rodionenko told TASS today that Lilia Akhaimova tested positive for COVID-19 and will be replaced by Aleksandra Shchekoldina:
“Unfortunately, we have to replace a gymnast. Instead of Akhaimove who got infected with the coronavirus, Shchekoldina will fly to Tokyo. Akhaimova was tested when she came to the training camp. She was not in contact with anyone because she was supposed to stay isolated until receiving the test results. According to our information, she is feeling fine now. We hope everything will be well”.
In a quote to R-Sport, she specified that Akhaimova tested positive a week and a half ago and was sent home, while Shchekoldina was invited to Round Lake.
However, after the news broke, Tatiana Nabieva claimed on social media that “Lilya is not sick with coronavirus!”
Then Lilia Akhaimova posted the result of her COVID-19 test on Instagram. The document is issued on 22nd of October and states that test was negative. Akhaimova has not offered any comments, so it is not clear what happened and what prompted Rodionenko to claim Akhaimova was infected.
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She is done anyway now that she openly corrected Valentina….
Valentina’s new way of retiring gymnasts, I guess?