ICYMI
Junior Nationals ApproachesThe schedule for Junior Nationals is as follows:
- April 6: Quals, TF
- April 7: All Around
- April 8: Event Finals
The Jesolo team has been decided for the seniors: it's the same team that went to Stuttgart, including Melnikova! The junior team is: Varvara Zubova, Anastasia Agafonova, Valeria Saifulina, and Ksenia Klimenko(!). LOVE THIS TEAM (I just realized I love 80% of the Russian juniors/Hopes prospects). Saifulina replaced Simakova which makes me feel a lot of emotions at once...I hope the probable injury or illness is not serious.
Ekaterina Sokova finally explained her disappearance from the gym in one of her latest vlogs. She's had multiple injuries since the spring of 2015 which stopped her from continuing her gym lessons and her latest injury requires an operation on her hip. I am sorry to hear this! Her career is finished- even all her leotards are sold- but it sounds like the non-stop injuries had long ago reconciled her to accepting this and she doesn't seem upset or regretful. She is cheerful in her comments to fans. I enjoy watching her videos (makeup/clothing hauls, tips and life advice, journal of her daily activities). She's grown into such a beautiful confident young woman, I'm relieved the injuries didn't destroy her spirit.
Ana Pavlova is now a married woman! Congrats Ana, although he'll never love you as much as your fans just kidding no I'm not. I have several versions of the same routine because I want to adore you from all angles. I wish you well lovely butterfly. Young man, you better know how to treat this woman right!
In saddest news ever, Anastasia Grishina hesitantly revealed that her parents had illegally used her prize winning funds to buy three apartments and support other luxury amenities without her proper consent. Because Grishy was a minor, her parents had access to her funds and in total she earned 20 million rubles throughout her career. After her marriage she moved into the worst of the three apartments her parents had bought, even though it needed renovations to be livable. It was only then that Anastasia realized her finances weren't right because there wasn't a lot of money left in her bank account which made her suspicious of her parents' activities. When confronted, her parents at first gloated that she'd never see the money again but things quickly deteriorated following multiple visits from her brother and father showing up to her house and threatening to kill her and her young family. She was terrified and as a last recourse made the abuse known to the public. She currently has two lawyers (paid for through a loan) working on her case and her parents have not returned comment...but just about everyone else has. The neighbors are afraid of Nastia's family because they say they do drugs and are unpleasant people (this gives credence to Nastia's story). The Rodionenko's and Nastia's former coach, Zelikson, released disappointing responses to the exploitation allegation and instead criticized her gymnastics career. I hate to get all political but could the tepid response from the federation be symbolic of prevailing attitudes, just weeks after the country decriminalized domestic abuse? The Guardian reports that:
The Italian federation will stream the Jesolo tournament 24 hours after live events due to Flo-gym buying the rights. In order to see the Italian stream, you’ll have to subscribe to the Federginnastica.it website and pay a €3 fee. This is terrible for Italian fans who are not used to having to watch their competitions behind a delayed paywall. I was going to live blog, but now...well, I'll probably just bite the bullet and pay for the subscription through Flo gymnastics. Spread the word that a live blog will happen on ORS.
Ekaterina Sokova finally explained her disappearance from the gym in one of her latest vlogs. She's had multiple injuries since the spring of 2015 which stopped her from continuing her gym lessons and her latest injury requires an operation on her hip. I am sorry to hear this! Her career is finished- even all her leotards are sold- but it sounds like the non-stop injuries had long ago reconciled her to accepting this and she doesn't seem upset or regretful. She is cheerful in her comments to fans. I enjoy watching her videos (makeup/clothing hauls, tips and life advice, journal of her daily activities). She's grown into such a beautiful confident young woman, I'm relieved the injuries didn't destroy her spirit.
In RG, Julia Bravikova won the GP Kiev tournament and with some impressive scores (18.100 for hoop, 65.8000 for AA total). In addition to AA she also won clubs gold (17.8000) and ribbon gold (17.850). Pauline (or is it Polina?) Khonina took four silvers: AA, clubs, ribbon, and ball. Molodets!
Julia then went on to the GP of Thiais where she placed third behind Katsiaryna Galkina of Belarus and Dina Averina, who won the AA. Is Julia strategizing for a Euros position?!?
Ana Pavlova is now a married woman! Congrats Ana,
In Round Lake, about 50 athletes from various sports (including gym) came down with abdominal pain after food poisoning. All athletes are safe and in recovery. (x)
In saddest news ever, Anastasia Grishina hesitantly revealed that her parents had illegally used her prize winning funds to buy three apartments and support other luxury amenities without her proper consent. Because Grishy was a minor, her parents had access to her funds and in total she earned 20 million rubles throughout her career. After her marriage she moved into the worst of the three apartments her parents had bought, even though it needed renovations to be livable. It was only then that Anastasia realized her finances weren't right because there wasn't a lot of money left in her bank account which made her suspicious of her parents' activities. When confronted, her parents at first gloated that she'd never see the money again but things quickly deteriorated following multiple visits from her brother and father showing up to her house and threatening to kill her and her young family. She was terrified and as a last recourse made the abuse known to the public. She currently has two lawyers (paid for through a loan) working on her case and her parents have not returned comment...but just about everyone else has. The neighbors are afraid of Nastia's family because they say they do drugs and are unpleasant people (this gives credence to Nastia's story). The Rodionenko's and Nastia's former coach, Zelikson, released disappointing responses to the exploitation allegation and instead criticized her gymnastics career. I hate to get all political but could the tepid response from the federation be symbolic of prevailing attitudes, just weeks after the country decriminalized domestic abuse? The Guardian reports that:
advocates for the new amendment have argued for “traditional families” with parent-child relationships “built on authority and power.” They claim they were merely trying to close a loophole that would have allowed a stranger to get off with a lesser sentence for beating a woman or child than that victim’s husband or parent. The Russian Orthodox Church has also pushed for looser restrictions on domestic abusers, claiming that the state should not interfere in family matters and that calls to make domestic violence a crime are informed by Western influences that want to impose liberal values on Russia.
Though I understand some Russian, I am not a fluent speaker so I get almost all of my news through a western lens and I'm aware it's in the Guardian's interest to paint Russia as a backward country. However, the responses from some influential people revolts me that they can stay so detached in the face of a young woman and her child's life being threatened (by people deranged enough to do it no less)! In positive news, fans and former teammates have shown themselves to be 100 percent behind her cause and willing to help in any way possible.
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| Maria Paseka volunteered to set up a donation page on her former teammate's behalf but Anastasia says she doesn't want any charity, just the money owed to her, stolen by her parents. |
The legendary 1980 Olympic champion, Elena Naimushina, passed away on March 16. Whenever I'm on a Soviet binge I always watch her Kalinka floor routine from that year which was known for its flair. In fact, Elena medalled in every competition she attended in 1980. I cannot believe we are losing so many Soviet stars in such early phases of their life. RIP Elena, I will never forget your contributions and the impact they've had on my love of this sport. (x)
Highlights from Rusian Nationals below. This is the federation's official Instagram page, so follow. The revamped website, the move to Kazan for comps, the IG page...they're stepping it up finally:
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