Random Russia sh*t

[MaryClare]

I really enjoy the things you post. Language and access barriers mean we don't get to hear most of what you talk about. The news we do get is always heavily filtered and processed through an American (sometimes European) lens. I love hearing it framed in closer to its original cultural context, although I'm certain you're doing cultural translations and moderation for us. It's both more interesting and just makes more sense.

Thank you so much. I try to make what I post relatable to those who are maybe not so familiar with how things are in Russia. I grew up in the UK and lived there until 2021 so I have an understanding of both western and Russian norms.
I do try to present things without adding my own narrative although that is mainly because it’s generally unwise to reveal my own opinion. I don’t always get it right though, and sometimes my language choice can be too literal for example use of we/our which happens a lot in Russia, but in English can indicate showing support.

Also on a personal level, I get a lot out of posting here. This is really my only non Russian social site I visit regularly. Despite my efforts, it’s not all that easy to still feel in any way connected to western social culture.

 

[JaJa]

Thank you so much everyone for all your likes and comments. I am genuinely so surprised and happy, it means a lot that so many of you appreciate Russian gymnastics.

I do not think it is possible to love the sport and not appreciate Russian gymnastics.

 

[Hatsumomo]

Thank you so much everyone for all your likes and comments. I am genuinely so surprised and happy, it means a lot that so many of you appreciate Russian gymnastics.

I will do my best to provide you with content that is both interesting and really stupid. As much as privacy and professionalism allows anyway. As always, you can message me if you have any questions

I'm here for the really stupid.

 

[MaryClare]

I do not think it is possible to love the sport and not appreciate Russian gymnastics.

To the majority of people involved with the sport here, it is not and never has been about a victory for the politics of our government but a victory for the way we do gymnastics. It was true in soviet times and it is true now. That is what Russian gymnastics means to us. The atmosphere in gym and amongst the community during the last week has been impossible to put into words.

 

[Sasha]

I'm here for the stupid content!

But seriously, I appreciate you providing information that crosses linguistic and political divides. I have very mixed feelings about the Russians' participation in international competition at the moment, but I like that the conversation here can go beyond "Russians R EVIL!!!". Some of what you contributed helps with that nuance.

 

[flylioness]

I don't see a contradiction in hating Putin and Russian politics on the one hand, and adoring Russian gymnastics on the other.

I do have some cognitive dissonance between Melnikova's gymnastics and friendliness with international gymnasts on the one hand, and her appearing in political contexts and allegedly contemplating a career in politics on the other hand though...
(My brain can just about cope with a beautiful gymnast not being a nice human being, but international friendships to me seem to preclude strong nationalist sentiment.)

 

[ruby]

The whole AIN concept is stupid anyways. How can an athlete from a country with what is basically dictatorship and controls access to free media, ever be truly neutral? It really doesn't matter what (war) crimes are being committed....neutrality is an illusion. Do you remember what happens to people who speak out publicly against the regime?

Personally, I can support any athlete who doesn't explicitly say "invading other countries and killing people is awesome" and behaves in a respectful manner towards Ukrainian athletes. And AFAIK Melnikova hasn't done that.

 

[MaryClare]

The whole AIN concept is stupid anyways. How can an athlete from a country with what is basically dictatorship and controls access to free media, ever be truly neutral? It really doesn't matter what (war) crimes are being committed....neutrality is an illusion. Do you remember what happens to people who speak out publicly against the regime?

Personally, I can support any athlete who doesn't explicitly say "invading other countries and killing people is awesome" and behaves in a respectful manner towards Ukrainian athletes. And AFAIK Melnikova hasn't done that.

There certainly are anomalies about the AIN rules that seem a little strange. For example, the federation is not allowed to report on or make any sort of acknowledgement of Russian athletes having competed at the world championship. But it’s ok for those athletes to appear on various state owned media outlets, including one run by the ministry of defence, and talk about their performance at the world championships.

There are 4 staff members from the ministry of sport and the Olympic committee, with legal backgrounds who have been seconded to the RGF to help the officials, coaches and athletes navigate, understand and stay within the rules of what to say and do. 2 of them were part of the delegation in Jakarta.

For the younger athletes, I cannot imagine being 17 years old and having that additional pressure.

 

[JaJa]

To the majority of people involved with the sport here, it is not and never has been about a victory for the politics of our government but a victory for the way we do gymnastics. It was true in soviet times and it is true now. That is what Russian gymnastics means to us. The atmosphere in gym and amongst the community during the last week has been impossible to put into words.

I really, really, really wish we would just take politics out of sports. It defeats the higher purpose imo.

 

[Sasha]

To the majority of people involved with the sport here, it is not and never has been about a victory for the politics of our government but a victory for the way we do gymnastics. It was true in soviet times and it is true now. That is what Russian gymnastics means to us. The atmosphere in gym and amongst the community during the last week has been impossible to put into words.

Genuine question, if it's not about politics or the government, why aren't gymnasts doing more to separate themselves from the former? Like, why is Melnikova going on a show hosted by the ministry of defense? Why not just focus on gymnastics and stay away from events that are political or could be politicised?

 

[MaryClare]

Genuine question, if it's not about politics or the government, why aren't gymnasts doing more to separate themselves from the former? Like, why is Melnikova going on a show hosted by the ministry of defense? Why not just focus on gymnastics and stay away from events that are political or could be politicised?

Most probably because she is a member of the army sports club and whilst they don’t fund her directly (national team members are salaried by the RGF) they do employ her personal coaches and facilitate her training.

 

[IratePanda]

I love threads like this. Thank you, @MaryClare

 

[MaryClare]

I love threads like this. Thank you, @MaryClare

No, thank you and everyone else. I am so pleased that people are interested. We’ve never really had a huge amount of Russian gymnastics discussion here so I’d assumed that there just wasn’t interest in it and I thought I’d be posting stuff mostly for my own benefit.

 

[Hatsumomo]

I always appreciate somebody pulling back the veil.

 

[Bob]

No, thank you and everyone else. I am so pleased that people are interested. We’ve never really had a huge amount of Russian gymnastics discussion here so I’d assumed that there just wasn’t interest in it and I thought I’d be posting stuff mostly for my own benefit.

No Carry on. I adore Russian gymnastics. I fell in love with them at the Soviet displays in London. I would still rather watch the likes of Filatova and Bicherova than anything around today.

 

[Sanzhirovka]

Most probably because she is a member of the army sports club and whilst they don’t fund her directly (national team members are salaried by the RGF) they do employ her personal coaches and facilitate her training.

So her being even indirectly funded by the army, or the fact her personal coaches are paid by the army, obligates her to appear on army TV?

But at the same time she is neutral?

 

[MaryClare]

So her being even indirectly funded by the army, or the fact her personal coaches are paid by the army, obligates her to appear on army TV?

But at the same time she is neutral?

As I said, it doesn’t make sense to me that she can appear on zvezda and talk about her win at worlds, but the RGF can’t post a news item on their website congratulating her because that would breach neutrality.

But having been contracted by the army sports club previously, there really isn’t any meaningful link to the armed forces.

 

[MaryClare]

Earlier in the week, the RGF announced the death of 1968 Olympic champion Olga Karaseva

 

[Puffin]

Genuine question, if it's not about politics or the government, why aren't gymnasts doing more to separate themselves from the former? Like, why is Melnikova going on a show hosted by the ministry of defense? Why not just focus on gymnastics and stay away from events that are political or could be politicised?

There is a close connection because Fetisov is Andrei and Valentina Rodionenko's son-in-law and assisted their advance in Russian gymnastics?