This week, Russian gymnasts and coaches, along with other Tokyo-bound delegations, visited the Kremlin to meet with the country’s president. The visit confirmed that Russia more or less decided on the teams – Nagorny, Belyavskiy, Kartsev, Dalaloyan, Abliazin, and Poliashov for the men and Urazova, Listunova, Melnikova, Gerasimova, Akhaimova, and Ilyankova for the women. All these gymnasts except for Melnikova were in attendance. Melnikova had to stay behind because of a cold.
Valentina Rodionenko told TASS that this trip was the only opportunity for the gymnasts to leave Round Lake – otherwise, they are on lockdown:
“There’s intense preparation going on, everything is strictly according to the plan. If athletes want to go to the Olympics, they have to power through now. We’ll take a direct flight from Moscow to Tokyo on the night of July 18th and before the departure day, all athletes will be training at Round Lake. Where would we let them go now? Today, they’re going to meet the president, then they’ll come back to the training center and continue the preparation. The only day off they have is Sunday but the rules are stricter than ever at the training center. While people who live near the center used to be allowed to [go home and] come in the morning, it’s all prohibited now.”
Artur Dalaloyan who tore his Achilles in April is recovering well and is expected to compete on four events in Tokyo:
“Regarding Artur, everything’s going as it’s supposed to. He continues the recovery and should compete on four events in Tokyo, we cannot risk [his health]. Our other team leader Nikita Nagorny is also fine. We really hope that no one will have get any health problems before the Olympics.”
Photo: Elena Mikhaylova, Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation
