It promised to be the set up for the most controversial final of the women's events, after Madison Kocian qualified into first on the uneven bars even after Aliya Mustafina upgraded. But today, despite the crazy judging still continuing, the most important rank was maintained, and I can't be bothered to care about the rest. There were times in 2016 when it seemed like Russia would be lucky to get even one medal from the Olympics, and during those times my most earnest wish was that Aliya not be humiliated, disrespected or scolded if she couldn't deliver on her country's expectations. After all, the main reason she can never perform at her uppermost ability is because she's always used on every team no matter what condition of health she's in. Her entire career can be defined by so many surgeries and so little sojourn. But now all has been put to right. Today Aliya showed her countrymen a performance without compromise, won the bars final, and in doing so triumphed in every final she qualified for. People! Omigod I don't even know what to say about her, my feelings of overwhelming happiness can not be interpreted into words. Are my followers dead? I feel like everyone's died of happiness. RIP you Aliya Musta-fan-a's. If this is Aliya's last routine ever, she couldn't ask for a more satisfying happy ending. Years of sacrificing for the team, even putting up with hearing how those teammates were gaining on her or passing her- now finally, something just for herself.
Why so talented, Aliya?
I see the Rodionenko's are using the Olympics to notify the Russian public that they should lower their expectations for next quad. I've also seen Valentina's announcement saying Aliya will come back for Tokyo after she takes two years off. The fear mongering behind each of these statements is unnecessary (even if the Aliya rumor is true). As I've said before, juniors like Klimenko and Eremina will hopefully amount to something significant; the younger members of the Olympic team will continue to mature and reach for higher goals. It is worrying that the only medalists on the WAG side have come from the veterans but 1) Melka was injured 2) Seda is getting better at controlling her nerves [and a country like Russia has no right to give up on her] 3) Daria will continue to excel on UB and be a staple on many future teams. Aliya is a rare talent, a true once in a lifetime gymnast, but so was Khorkina until Musy came along and equaled her medal count in 2/3 of the time it took Sveta to accumulate them. In Russia, they say they remember the greats. But if they don't remember to nurture the forthcoming great's then it makes sense why past achievers are so idolized. If the Rod's are going to use Aliya like Romania uses Catalina, soon there will only be Aliya to send to the Olympics.
Sooo I'm not going to let Rod ridiculousness distract from Queen Aliya's accomplishments, but I will point out the lolz-worthyness of Valentina saying she's going to take a lengthy break and return when Andrei literally said two months ago that if Aliya and Afan wanted to continue to Tokyo they'd have to commit to it from the beginning of the quad.
But again I'm not about to let them distract from what Aliya's achieved. Who even defends a title these days?! I'm going to go rewatch those Russian Cup bar routines a few times for laughs.
Only Aliya could block an American sweep of the golds! I'm not surprised she did it, just shocked that the judges let it happen, I thought they were madly in love with Kocian lol.
Yep Valentina is a tool, that's why I regard everything she says as a rumor. I think Aliya will see where life's taken her and only if she want to will she come back. She's no longer naive of what a comeback consists of so if she does do so it will be from the heart. Ugh I'm just so proud of her; i feel accomplished and I haven't done anything lmao.
I agree with everything you've written. Aliya winning was my favorite part of gymnastics at this Olympics. If the Americans take gold in the other two events, she'll go down in history as the one who blocked them from making history and sweeping the golds. I am also relieved that the judges at least got the order right. I personally feel, especially after seeing her and Kocian's routines in slow-mo that Aliya should have also received a higher execution, but whatever. After the outrageous scoring given during quals they had to keep Kocian's execution high to justify that infamous UB rotation. As for 2020, there are 2 specialist spots so if Mustafina's healthy I can definitely see her coming back for UB. However, if this is the case I hope it's be because she really wants to defend her title and not because Russia has no one else strong enough to medal.
Apologies for the delay, I went out right after the finals and THOUGHT I scheduled it to post but obviously I didn't.
ReplyDeleteSooo I'm not going to let Rod ridiculousness distract from Queen Aliya's accomplishments, but I will point out the lolz-worthyness of Valentina saying she's going to take a lengthy break and return when Andrei literally said two months ago that if Aliya and Afan wanted to continue to Tokyo they'd have to commit to it from the beginning of the quad.
ReplyDeleteBut again I'm not about to let them distract from what Aliya's achieved. Who even defends a title these days?! I'm going to go rewatch those Russian Cup bar routines a few times for laughs.
Only Aliya could block an American sweep of the golds! I'm not surprised she did it, just shocked that the judges let it happen, I thought they were madly in love with Kocian lol.
DeleteYep Valentina is a tool, that's why I regard everything she says as a rumor. I think Aliya will see where life's taken her and only if she want to will she come back. She's no longer naive of what a comeback consists of so if she does do so it will be from the heart. Ugh I'm just so proud of her; i feel accomplished and I haven't done anything lmao.
I agree with everything you've written. Aliya winning was my favorite part of gymnastics at this Olympics. If the Americans take gold in the other two events, she'll go down in history as the one who blocked them from making history and sweeping the golds. I am also relieved that the judges at least got the order right. I personally feel, especially after seeing her and Kocian's routines in slow-mo that Aliya should have also received a higher execution, but whatever. After the outrageous scoring given during quals they had to keep Kocian's execution high to justify that infamous UB rotation. As for 2020, there are 2 specialist spots so if Mustafina's healthy I can definitely see her coming back for UB. However, if this is the case I hope it's be because she really wants to defend her title and not because Russia has no one else strong enough to medal.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Aliya, my favourite , most respected gymnast.
ReplyDeleteI hear Alexandrov is free .