A Normal Day for Russian Gymnastics: Injuries, injuries, doping problems

I told you that it would be a miracle if Valentina managed to stay quiet until the Games. So she had statements and as usual, you're not going to like what she had to say.

Maria Paseka is waiting for doctor's approval to compete. Her back problems are back (if they ever left) and she's not training full loads right now. The doctors will decide August 3rd whether or not she can compete. I want to remain optimistic because she only has to do vault, but since I'm not an optimistic person, it's difficult. That's a huge score in team final, and likely individual medal that they would to lose. I'm just going to hope for the best.

The Three Musketeers Troublemakers

Angelina Melnikova pulled her hamstring way back in Russia and still hasn't recovered. She's also not training with full loads, and they are working to simplify her routines. That is bad, because she's extremely important to the team. She's supposed to do AA in qualifying, team final and individual final. Not to mention this could also ruin her chances for individual medals. Last time when she had hamstring problems, she looked terrible on beam. She should be able to compete, but remember Yao Jinnan in London with a similar injury? Yeah, that was heartbreaking. Melka is the future of Russian gymnastics and I don't want her first and maybe only Olympics to go that way. She deserves so much more. Again, I'm just going to hope for the best.

The third bad news to come out today, is about their reserve, Natalia Kapitonova. The FIG has been working hard to clear the Russian gymnasts for competition, but since Kapi hasn't competed internationally in any major competitions, she has never been tested for doping. Or if she has, the testing has been done in Russia and isn't considered reliable because, well, state sponsored doping programme and Sports Ministry approved sample contamination in RUSADA. There's nothing official yet, so they might be able to clear Kapi and this is just a speed bump.. It's not like she has any convictions either. For the third time, I can only hope for the best. With Beefarm and Melka and their problems, it's not good for one of the alternates to get banned from competing. UPDATE: The FIG cleared her.

We know that Valentina loves drama and isn't usually right about anyone's health (or anything else for that matter), so this might be just her usual shenanigans and there's absolutely nothing to worry about. For the fourth time, I can hope that is the case.

So, what a typical day for Russian gymnastics. All drama all the time.
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Sources: Tass and R-sport

You will want to click on those links just for the pictures of Valentina ;) Deer-in-the-headlights "I don't know no doping!!!" and evil grin "just wait for my next announcement, I have even worse news for you".
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