Russian coach Oleg Ostapenko

The All Around posted a must read interview with Russian junior women’s team coach Oleg Ostapenko, formerly in Brazil.

… How are the preparations for the Youth Olympic Games going?

We have two gymnasts training for the Youth Olympic Games: Viktoria Komova and Maria Paseka. Komova will compete, provided everything goes according to plan. Paseka is the reserve gymnast. They are preparing at Round Lake and training well. The competition is still a while away. I’d say Komova is about 70% ready [for the competition] now, so we are aiming to peak for the actual meet. I’m satisfied with where they are right now. …

Do you agree that a world class gymnast like Komova should be age ineligible for this year’s world championships?

I would have allowed the girls born in 1996 to compete at the world championships that precede the Olympics. I don’t like it that they can’t. But those are the rules, and we have to obey them. …

read it – Interview: Oleg Ostapenko

Komova is the favourite to win the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

photo – Svetlana Boguinskaia with Oleg