ICYMI

A short interview from Elena Eremina after Voronin (x). Mainly she is hoping for a successful 2017 and thinks of her European junior AA title as her proudest moment. She was originally a rhythmic gymnast (when 3 years of age) but was asked to leave a year later for being too chubby! 

The FIG Disciplinary Commission has issued a warning to the President and three members of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee of the UEG for not respecting the rules in place during the discipline's 2016 European Championships in Holon, Israel, in June. Ms. Heide Bruneder (AUT), Ms. Dominique Muller-Lauth (FRA), Ms. Gilberte Gianadda (SUI) and Ms. Elena Nefedova (RUS) were warned in respect. The judges were wrong for: 1)the instruction given to the Execution Judges that there was to be no deduction for the group from Azerbaijan for failing to finish their exercise with music, for the Clubs and Hoops during qualification. 2) their decision to allow the Bulgarian Group to repeat its exercise with Clubs and Hoops in qualification without giving full and careful consideration to the Code of Points. Ms. Bruneder, Ms. Muller-Lauth, Ms. Gianadda and Ms. Nefedova are to pay CHF 1,000 towards the FIG’s costs of these proceedings. (x)

Russia most likely turned down their AA spot at the American Cup. I make this assumption based on France sending a representative, something they were not automatically qualified for after placing 11th in Olympic TF. Ah well. I’ll prefer seeing them at Jesolo anyways. 

V. Rod hopes that Aliya will become a coach at Round Lake after she officially retires, even though Aliya has stated bluntly several times she does not wish to coach. But for once I agree with Valentina, I think the girl has noticeable potential and can make a great coach. V.Rod is positive Aliya could go to Tokyo and win another medal but doesn't sound so confident about the rest of the WAG team. The current senior squad (that she thinks is in serious '17 Worlds contention) is: Tutkhalyan, Paseka, Melnikova, Eremina, Iliankova, and possibly Akhaimova. Seems like Spiri's fallen out of favor, Valentina says she can be on the team if she changes her attitude! (x)

I found an english captioned segment of a documentary that premiered last year called Graceful Victory: Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics. This segment is on Sasha Soldatova. Press the caption button if subtitles aren't appearing in your video.