Queen Elizabeth:
I have tried to allow a little time for people to digest Alexander’s interview. It is still early days. There has been some frantic discussion on the gymternet. Most it has characterised the ‘story’ as an argument between Alexandrov and the Rodionenkos: who was right, and who was wrong? …
In my opinion, the most important parts of Alexandrov’s interview are part 2, where he discusses the power relationships in Russian gymnastics, and part 4, where he describes his initiatives to encourage gymnastics participation and improve coach retention…
read more – Rewriting Russian Gymnastics – Russia – what is next? Some analysis, and more evidence
This part is new:
QE:
Before I go, however, I did want to share one more thing with you. It’s another piece of primary evidence in the developing picture of how Russian gymnastics works under the leadership of the Rodionenkos: a letter from former Junior National WAG coach Oleg Ostapenko to Andrei Rodionenko. Oleg is one of the five coaches whom Alexandrov mentions in his interview as having been rapidly ‘despatched’ by the Rodionenkos …
To: Rodionenko A.F.
From: Ostapenko O.V. head coach of the junior team
Dear Andrei Fiodorovitch.
I would like to express my total disagreement with the working methods that you and Valentina Alexandrovna use. You decide about everything. You don’t consider it necessary to agree with me matters that are mentioned in my contract and belong to my competencies (2.1.2 and 2.1.3). …
I wish the dispute between the Rodionenkos and Alexandrov had been handled as neatly as was Ostapenko’s resignation. Professionally.
The soap opera does a disservice to the great and proud Russian gymnastics tradition.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 