Russia-Ukraine War: Effects on Gymn World

[MaryClare]

Throwback to the 2022 Victory Day celebrations when a photo of Bonnie and Clyde was accidentally used.

Was this a gymnastics performance?

 

[KorbutFan]

It happened during a concert in Moscow when images of supposed Soviet victims of WW2 were being displayed.

A Russian gymnastics display in front of a photo of Bonnie and Clyde would be absolutely mind bending.

 

[JDB]

A Russian gymnastics display in front of a photo of Bonnie and Clyde would be absolutely mind bending.

I agree, but IMO our present reality is even stranger. Men in military costume doing rhythmic gymnastics to commemorate WWII, while Russia commits a World War III attempt, is quite something.

 

[MaryClare]

I agree, but IMO our present reality is even stranger. Men in military costume doing rhythmic gymnastics to commemorate WWII, while Russia commits a World War III attempt, is quite something.

Rhythmic gymnastics has an odd status within Russian political sphere and is a good example of the cultural parallel universe that exists between Russia and western countries. Because only here could a sport that’s dominated by Jewish and Muslim women, be used as a propaganda tool by a nationalist state

 

[MaryClare]

"Мене, як дівчинку, водять за ніс": скандал в українській гімнастиці – туристи в збірній, брак коштів і надії на медалі Олімпіади

Полум'яне інтерв'ю Геннадія Чеховського з Іриною Горбачевою, старшою тренеркою збірної України зі спортивної гімнастики.

sport24.ua

Ilya Kovtun and his coach Irina Gorbacheva have some disagreement with the sports ministry

 

[cftmoonlight79]

All political stuff aside, I will miss the Russian men. That team from 2018-2022 was one of my favorite to watch. Plus, both teams are a medal threat.

 

[MaryClare]

Angelina Melnikova and Viktoria Listunova will compete as neutral athletes in 2025. Valentina also gave an update effectively confirming Urazova’s retirement

 

[RedBirdie]

Oh, now that's interesting and a tad unexpected.

 

[MaryClare]

Oh, now that's interesting and a tad unexpected.

Titov said a couple of weeks ago that the RGF had applied for neutral status for many athletes. Did not say who nor which disciplines. I’m presuming that Valentina mentioning names means they’ve been approved by the FIG, since I doubt they’d want the embarrassment of saying they’d been rejected.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Angelina Melnikova and Viktoria Listunova will compete as neutral athletes in 2025. Valentina also gave an update effectively confirming Urazova’s retirement

Very interesting news. We'd kind of mentally retired Urazova already, hadn't we?

 

[makam]

Very interesting news. We'd kind of mentally retired Urazova already, hadn't we?

Yeah, she had looked on the strugglebus the last few comp videos MaryClare had posted that she was in. Listunova too so good for her that she is still pushing forward.

 

[Denn]

I just saw that Listunova is only 19. I had somehow thought she was 20 or even 21 already. She could have quite a few years competitive ahead.

 

[irichluck21]

Listunova was one of the few who benefited from the COVID postponement of Tokyo.

 

[tempest]

Why did I think there were many pictures of the two of them at military rallies?

 

[RichardL]

Listunova was one of the few who benefited from the COVID postponement of Tokyo.

And if things had gone slightly more her way, she could've won the whole thing. Her team finals scores plus her usual vault would've put her well over Lee in the AA.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

And if things had gone slightly more her way, she could've won the whole thing. Her team finals scores plus her usual vault would've put her well over Lee in the AA.

I had wondered if they'd sub her in.

 

[Rich]

this is a comment form a reader from Gymternet.
On Viktoria Listunova, the criteria that the FIG set will mean she won’t compete during wartime unless they don’t follow their own rules. The FIG explicitly used the war rally of 2022 as an example of a show of support that would not be viewed as acceptable. While her autonomy in this is up for debate considering she was a minor under a dictatorship, it very likely eliminates Listunova and Urazova from international competition until the war ends if either are still active and competitive whenever that happens.