Melnikova Among Russians Approved for Neutral Status, Viktoria Listunova, denied from Lauren Hopkins

[Puffin]

There was a big press conference with Andrei Rodionenko at round lake today.

Coincides with national team training camp, Melnikova was back in the gym.

The big news is that Andrei Rodionenko will leave his position as the men’s national team coach and has been appointed as an advisor to the RGF preseident, Oleg Belozerov. The new men’s head coach will be Dmitry Andreev.

Dmitry Andreev will also seek election to the men’s technical committee of the UEG. Elena Redyanova will be the candidate for the women’s technical committee.

Is Valentina Rodionenko still at Round Lake? She must be almost 90!'

 

[MaryClare]

Is Valentina Rodionenko still at Round Lake? She must be almost 90!'

Yes she is still the head coach of the senior women’s team. Aliya Mustafina is the head of junior women’s.

But it’s not really that similar to NTC type role, there are so many national team staff. Valentina is like the CEO

 

[tsarinajen]

There was a big press conference with Andrei Rodionenko at round lake today.

Coincides with national team training camp, Melnikova was back in the gym.

The big news is that Andrei Rodionenko will leave his position as the men’s national team coach and has been appointed as an advisor to the RGF preseident, Oleg Belozerov. The new men’s head coach will be Dmitry Andreev.

Dmitry Andreev will also seek election to the men’s technical committee of the UEG. Elena Redyanova will be the candidate for the women’s technical committee.

Was Melnikova just there or is she training?

 

[MaryClare]

Was Melnikova just there or is she training?

She was actually training.

 

[MaryClare]

Melnikova has withdrawn her candidacy for the upcoming regional elections. She does not wish to jeopardise her neutral athlete status and she mentioned she intends to compete at worlds this year

 

[Passion]

How much training time did she miss, about two months? She stopped right before the Russian Cup in April and then was back I guess around the end of June/early July?

 

[MaryClare]

How much training time did she miss, about two months? She stopped right before the Russian Cup in April and then was back I guess around the end of June/early July?

From her social media, she has been training throughout. I saw her train bars not that long ago and she was pretty much at full difficulty

 

[Bob]

cant wait to see the Russians back.

 

[tsarinajen]

Melnikova said on her telegram she’s competing in the World Challenge Cup in Paris.

 

[Bob]

Im so pleased!

 

[Amber]

I don't feel she should be allowed to compete, probably an unpopular opinion, I will not support her as in my opinion she is much to fond of her president

 

[Seyonne]

I don’t think anyone knows what any particular Russian really thinks of their president since only one viewpoint is allowed.

My unpopular opinion is that they all should be allowed or none.

 

[Sasha]

I know this year is an individual Worlds, but how will it work with the AINs in team competitions? Will they compete under the banner of their respective countries' gymnastics federations?

 

[irichluck21]

AINs are not allowed to field a team.
AIN is Individual Neutral Athletes.

They are not allowed to wear their countries' flag or flag colors. They must wear a light blue uniform and if they win a medal an AIN flag will be raised and if they win gold a commissioned anthem will be played.

 

[Sasha]

Thanks Rich! Has the FIG said anything about how long this arrangement is expected to go on, or are they more or less playing by ear at this point?

I've just been doing some thinking about the team competitions in the coming years, and whether or not the Russians are able to field a team—under any name—will obviously play a big role in how those go.

 

[irichluck21]

Well Russia and Belarus are banned from 2026 and as of right now 2028, so I anticipate they will be banned as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

Honestly, I am fine with a permanent ban on Russia as long as Putin is there. We already had several Olympics with "Russia" banned due to the state run doping and cover up.

We don't need cheaters or dictators in the Olympics.
JMHO.

 

[irichluck21]

Melnikova nicknamed "Champion of Terror" by Ukraine.

‘Champion Of Terror’ To Compete: Ukraine Fights Russia’s Return To Gymnastics

The FIG's decision to allow pro-war Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova to compete at September's World Challenge Cup has ignited a firestorm. Ukraine vows to fight back.

www.forbes.com

 

[JaJa]

Well Russia and Belarus are banned from 2026 and as of right now 2028, so I anticipate they will be banned as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

Honestly, I am fine with a permanent ban on Russia as long as Putin is there. We already had several Olympics with "Russia" banned due to the state run doping and cover up.

We don't need cheaters or dictators in the Olympics.
JMHO.

I am fine with Russia being banned for doping and coverup. Cheating in the Games should get you banned. But I continue to be opposed to a ban for political reasons -- and I am for sure no fan of Putin. But the Games should be apolitical.

 

[dweiss324]

Champion of terror sounds like they asked my kids to pick a pro wrestling name

 

[Aeris]

Melnikova nicknamed "Champion of Terror" by Ukraine.

Sorry to hear the algorithm recommended her Cheng in their feed.