congratulations Andrei Rodionenko

Leonid Arkaev was the demigod of Russian gymnastics for 22 years. His successor, you could say, was Andrei Rodionenko.

Now, 18-months-later, it looks like a good move.

Andre is an important reason for the positive turnaround in Russian gymnastics. In the distant Soviet past Rodionenko worked with both the Men and Women’s National Teams.

He is back in a leadership position there after stints in Western Australia and Canada.

And Russia is back in contention at World Championships. The Russian Women were 3rd, the Russian Men 2nd.

Now — can they contend in 2008?

Russia has many problems. But we wish them well.