meanwhile, in Russia …

… Rodionenko considers the U.S. team the main threat to the Russians at the Olympics.

… Alexander Alexandrov, named the four countries likely to compete for medals: the U.S., China, Romania and Russia. But I believe that the Americans are our main rivals.

Three of the total five spots on the team have already been assigned. Head coach Andrei Rodionenko has announced that Viktoria Komova, Aliya Mustafina and Anastasia Grishina have already been confirmed …

We’ll know more after next week’s Russia Cup in Penza. Keeping the top girls healthy is highest priority, I’m sure.

… Alexandrov described the daily routine of Russian female gymnasts at their training camp at Lake Krugloye. With school already over for the summer, training for the London Olympics is in full swing. The athletes get up at 7:30 a.m., and after some warm-up exercises, they go out for a walk or a jog. A half-hour later, they have their breakfast, and at 10 a.m. sharp their first training session begins; it lasts for about 2.5 hours. Then they take a break, do some recovery exercises, and have some personal time. Their second training session lasts from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by massage and personal time. They have no second training sessions on Thursdays. They turn in at 10:30 p.m., and have a day off, just like everyone else, on Sundays. …

Russia Beyond the Headlines – Training for Olympics in full swing

Rewriting Russian Gymnastics links to the latest issue of Gymnastika online. (Russian)

related – Alfosov and Rodionenko speak – men’s team selection

Thanks Alan.