It was a glorious moment. Ksenia Afanasyeva, assumed to be out of the picture for medals, was brought into the final at the last minute as a reserve.
She delivered one of the best floor routines of the last five years (alongside her own masterpiece at the 2012 Olympic Games, that went on to win her the 2013 European title).
Afanasyeva ('Afonya' to her friends) didn't expect to win. The modest young woman, for so long the unpredictable but gifted one, was accustomed to disappointment. Adopting the role of team captain and 'mother' to the younger gymnasts on her team, she doubted her own motivation to continue and train for her second Olympics, to be held in London the following year.
Then came the score, and the shock of realisation. Gold, well deserved, brought an emotional response from both Afanasyeva and her coach since childhood, Marina Nazarova. I'd like to give credit to whoever took this wonderful picture, but sadly the source isn't acknowledged.
Coincidentally, I came across the following ten minute interview with an almost painfully shy Ksenia, from a Russian show Expert. I linked to it at the time of its initial release, but now the poster has added English language captions. It is worth spending the ten minutes to share Ksenia's thoughts. http://youtu.be/9EXnk6lf6JY
You can view the floor routine and Afansyeva's reaction in full here : http://youtu.be/mVHW3DHZVm0.
I very much hope Ksenia continues till Rio and, if possible, beyond - she is a graceful example in both form and character, a great captain for the Russians.