Random Russia sh*t

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There is a connection though, because Rodionenko was coaching / working in Canada and Fetisov convinced him to return to Russia to revitalise Russian gymnastics to try to bring back the glory days of the Soviet Union.

It's not like he was just always there. Fetisov essentially brought him back. Sure, he had the qualifications, but he had left Russia.

Not really nepotism - he is qualified - but if not for Fetisov, I'm not sure Rodionenko would be there.
 
There is a connection though, because Rodionenko was coaching / working in Canada and Fetisov convinced him to return to Russia to revitalise Russian gymnastics to try to bring back the glory days of the Soviet Union.

It's not like he was just always there. Fetisov essentially brought him back. Sure, he had the qualifications, but he had left Russia.

Not really nepotism - he is qualified - but if not for Fetisov, I'm not sure Rodionenko would be there.
Yes but they weren’t coming for free. Fetisov got the federation into a situation where by financially they could offer them an attractive deal and investment in the program. It’s the same reason that also appeared at the around the same time was Aleksandrov and Ostapenko. That they could now afford them.
 
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.
My first favorite gymnast (not counting Nadia) was Natalia Frolova. We read that she was running a gym in St Petersburg, but it’s hard to hear news about past gymnasts
 
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If you want to watch the Fetisov interview with Melnikova, or are merely curious as to what probably the most pro governmental tv station this side of Pyongyang looks like, here is a 3rd party streaming link

It goes out at 11pm Moscow time which is 8pm London and 3pm New York. If you have the google translate app you can use it to get simultaneous translation.
 
Here are some screen shot from the interview. I will post a summary in the next day or so. It was a very interesting interview, despite Fetisov having a rather dull way of delivery.

Nikita Nagornyy was head of the welcoming committee at Sheremetyevo airport. Here he is presenting Angelina with flowers. He also did some folk dancing with Daniel Marinov (there was a band playing as part of the welcome)
Screenshot 2025-11-02 20.58.12.webp


Here are Fetisov and Melnikova in the studio. I dont know why she is holding the stuffed animal like a 14 year old figure skater. Animal? Plant, fruit I don't know. Unfortunately the screen shot hides Fetisov's "dad sneakers". I guess you can take the man out of the midwest but you cant take the mid west out of the man.
Screenshot 2025-11-02 20.59.47.webp
 
It is the corpse flower stuffie they got on the medal stand.

I always enjoyed a good thread about Maria Bee Farm. And Mustafina and Komova were heavily discussed. I'm not going to talk about Russian Juniors though. Been there, done that, still have the scars.
 

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