Russian MAG Olympic Team

Albert Minguillón i Colomer of THE ALL AROUND might just have more data on more gymnasts than anyone else in the world.

Albert:

… There are 14 gymnasts fighting for 5 Olympic spots. In the reserve group, there are some gymnasts that might join the national team if they improve throughout the year. …

Taking the 5-4-3 format into account; the logical strategy would be to have 2-3 strong all arounders and a couple of specialists.

For me, there are three locks at this point: Emin Garibov, David Belyavskiy and Denis Ablyazin. The first two are 90+ All Arounders with the potential to make event finals in different apparatus. Garibov is an excellent high bar worker; while Belyavskiy could sneak into floor, vault or P-bars finals. What makes both of them so valuable, though, is that they can produce mid-14s routines on pommel horse, an event on which Russia has struggled for a few years now. …

read the detailed GUEST POST on Rewriting Russian Gymnastics

One factoid I learned is that Anton Golotsutskov, Bronze FX and Vault in Beijing, might not make the cut.

A big decision for Rodionenko and the coaches is whether or not to put Team highest priority. It’s a long shot to finish top 3, IMHO.

JPN, CHN, USA, GER, GBR …

If you concede that Bronze, you might be able to carry Golotsutskov who tends to finish 2nd or 3rd on Vault. A LOT.