Random Russia sh*t

[Sanzhirovka]

people unfamiliar with the former Soviet Union countries do not understand how extremely repressive they are

And here it should absolutely be pointed out that "the former Soviet Union countries" should not be grouped together as if they are all the same.

Moldova for example is nothing like Belarus is nothing like Estonia, is nothing like Kazakhstan.

That said, yes, Melnikova is a very likeable person. Do I feel sorrry for her? Not in the least.

 

[MaryClare]

I would appreciate it if we could keep post soviet geopolitics out of this thread unless it is relevant to gymnastics in Russia, or to provide context.

If you want to ask anything regarding politics, life, culture etc then I’m happy to chat privately so drop me a message

 

[MaryClare]

Svetlana Khorkina has been speaking at a conference in the city of Samara called Russia: Country of Sports. It is being attended mainly by delegates from emerging nations who wish to develop state sponsored sports programs. The event is being treated with a great deal of prestige and the opening address was given in person by the president.

Here she is with 3x Olympic champion wrestler, Aleksandr Karelin. Karelin today is a very high ranking politician who sits in the upper house as the senator for Novosibirsk.

 

[MaryClare]

2016 RG group Olympic champion Anastasia Tatareva is working for RGF to develop a program for gymnasts with developmental disabilities. The phrase used in Russia generally translates as adaptive gymnastics and has recently been recognised by the Russian ministry of sport.

This past weekend they had their first competition which is called Born To Shine.

 

[Bob]

They are ridiculously cute!

 

[MaryClare]

The other week it was “national trainers day”. Which is sort of like Mother’s Day for sports coaches- my house has looked liked a florist shop all week. Many of the well known gymnasts have posted on social media, thanking their coaches and often including photos of when they were much younger.

Angelina Melnikova’s coach, Sergei Denisevich posted this photo in reply as a sort of cute way to embarrass her.

2007 Svetlana Khorkina Cup, Belgorod. Russia’s only 2 repeat world AA champions. (And Boris Pilkin in the background, rocking beam shoes as ever)

 

[Kittentoes]

Why does seeing Boris Pilkin make me feel all weird and nostalgic?

 

[MaryClare]

Why does seeing Boris Pilkin make me feel all weird and nostalgic?

He doesn’t get the credit he should for creating the modern UB routine.

 

[Lisaelaine80]

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.

Omg I’ve been obsessed with Russia and the former USSR since I first began watching gymnastics in 1989. The history, culture, etc. are fascinating. Ty for providing the info!

 

[Matilda23]

Does Melnikova have two coaches, I remember an older female coach in the Olympic Channel pre-2021 Olympics documentary?

 

[MaryClare]

Does Melnikova have two coaches, I remember an older female coach in the Olympic Channel pre-2021 Olympics documentary?

Natalia Ishkova and Sergei Denisevich are coaching partners and have been for a long time. They had a national team member in the late 90s together, Ekaterina Kamishnikova. Sergei’s wife, Tatiana Tuzhikova is the foundation trainer for their group.

In terms of the number of hours typically spent, Ishkova would be main her main coach these days. However it is Denisevich who attends national team with her since Ishkova’s coaching ability on bars is considered insufficient.

That’s not unusual, a lot of female coaches in Russia don’t coach bars at all and the best ones tend to be men. But what the national team coaches here class as “can’t coach bars” is probably quite different from other countries. Bars coaching here is quite physically demanding and it is often how younger male coaches get their big break. Earlier this year, Ivan “from instagram” Gaponenko was added to the national team staff as a UB specialist for the junior WAG team at just 23. The guy’s spotting ability is just unreal

 

[Ginger]

Who is who? Is Melnikova the shortest girl, the second from left?