Round Lake Update

There was a new interview with Valentina Rodionenko, published today, and it actually had a tiny bit of real insight instead of her usual ramblings.

First she discusses their outstanding success at the Olympics (okay...) with the interviewer and how she accurately predicted their good results (okay...). Then she goes all soft and mushy thanking everyone on the team about their hard work. This is the most human she has been since bursting into tears when she heard that the team could actually compete in Rio after the threat of a blanket ban. She also mentions that 2017 is a chance for the gymnasts to show their individual capabilities, but the goal of 2018 is clear, qualification for Tokyo. They're building the team with that in mind.

But then it gets more interesting.

She says that their main team this year is Angelina Melnikova, Seda Tutkhalyan and Maria Paseka, and their new seniors Anastiasia Ilyankova and Elena Eremina. They're still considering Lilia Akhaimova too. Notice anyone important missing? Yeah. She gets all shady about Daria Spiridonova, saying that she's in the team if her attitude/commitment level is right. If you remember, Spiridoz was pulled out of the Toyota Cup this fall because they thought she was out of shape after the Olympics. We wondered how on earth Seda was considered to be in shape, but this maybe sheds some light into it. It sounds like Spiridoz has had some kind of falling out with the Rods, probably nothing major because Valentina didn't bother to go all out and announce her retirement, but it's still something, because Valentina has stated many times before that Dasha is a hard worker and very goal-oriented. She's actually been the favorite of Rods for years now. But this made me wonder whether the Olympics left some bad blood between her and them. She didn't hit one full routine at the Olympics and back then Andrei was caught berating her after the uneven bars final in front of everyone, Dasha in tears.

I think it's just a bump in the road. Unlike the Americans who do press and tour, the Russian gymnasts don't get to have more than a few weeks break after the Olympics and then they just resume training as usual. It would be understandable if she wasn't feeling motivated after such a huge push, she'll hopefully be back soon. Although, Valentina also said that they will send 4 all arounders to the European Championships. Her team announcements are always bullshit so I wouldn't normally think that this would affect Dasha in any way, but if she's not the favorite anymore, making the teams with only one apparatus could prove to be more difficult for her in the future. I still doubt that they could leave her home when she's basically guaranteed to medal, but who knows.

And I know I'm reading way too much into this but it's off-season and we don't have anything interesting going on in awhile. Russia usually spoils us with their drama, it has been awfully quiet since the wedding craze.

Valentina then says that the rest of the WAG team is lagging behind, but the door is open for anyone who rises to the occasion and proves their worth.

You may also notice that she didn't mention Natalia Kapitonova. Kapi is injured, but I don't know how. She even joined the Munich Munchkins, although she made her pilgrimage to Germany by herself. Anyway, she returned home to Penza after the Olympics and hasn't trained in Round Lake since. That's a huge warning sign for a Russian gymnast. When they go home to recover for such a long time, the chances of return are usually slim. If she doesn't return to Round Lake after the winter holidays, it's time to be concerned.

Also missing, Ulyana Perebinosova. She hasn't competed since the Europeans, so I'm pretty sure she's injured too. Otherwise she would have been at the Voronin Cup instead of Elizaveta Kochetkova, or at least at some meets with Lena and Nastia, who had a busy fall season.

There's no mention of Viktoria Komova or Ksenia Afanasyeva either.

Valentina says that Aliya Mustafina is taking a break, but emphasizes that she hasn't retired yet. She's also convinced that Aliya is physically capable of returning for Tokyo and winning a medal there. I just think that she's terrified of what will happen if Aliya won't return. Who on earth will win them medals then? She also expresses hope that Aliya will join the national team coaching staff when she does actually retire. She says that Aliya is a very special gymnast with a gift for teaching and psychology. Aliya herself seems pretty adamant right now that coaching isn't in her future, but who knows. She's also said that she loves children too much to be a good and strict coach.

There was a lot about MAG, but I don't follow them so I pretty much skipped over it. However, Emin Garibov has retired from training due to injuries and joined the national team coaching staff instead. Apparently Emin himself hasn't announced his retirement.

In the end Valentina does the unthinkable and agrees with gymternet about something: 2016 was the year of weddings for Team Russia.