The First One Bites the Dust

The competition season is nearing and Russian Nationals are just behind the corner, so naturally, injuries will start piling up. And the first victim happens to be one of the most important players, Elena Eremina. Earlier this week she made an announcement on instagram, she underwent a surgery to stabilize some of her lumbar vertebrae earlier in February. She won't be able to fully start training until August, which means that she's going to be out for the year.

I can't really think of a worse loss for the team. Lena single-handedly saved Russia's ass last year. We have a bunch of veterans returning this year, but they're wild cards at this point. So are the new seniors. And I don't really have that much hope for Angelina Melnikova to get her shit together.  Russia always manages to scrape by, so I'm really interested in seeing how. Or rather, who will fill the spot of their best all arounder, because now it's wide open. Again.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, she went to Munich for the operation. Your regular pilgrimage to meet the sacred German Miracle Doctors then. You aren't really a senior member of the Russian National Team unless you have Munich Munchkin written on your resume. Or unless you have "back pain" attached to your name every time Valentina Rodionenko opens her mouth.

As for Lena, I hope that she makes a full recovery and return to gymnastics in 2019. I really don't want her to be a forgotten one-hit-wonder of a post-Olympic year. She's too good for that.