'We were pleasantly surprised' - Rodionenko, Alfosov on final preparations for Nanning

Mustafina meme, courtesy of Erikafasana on Tumblr.com

Russia's gymnastic teams are now (Friday night, 26 September) airborne, on the long journey from Moscow to Nanning.  As the crow flies, the distance they will cover is some 6,729 km.  The flight will last about twelve to fifteen hours.  When they arrive, the temperature in Nanning will be a sub-tropical 32 degrees, compared to the autumnal high of around 16 in Moscow.  Nanning time is four hours ahead of Moscow.  The gymnasts, and the coaches, will be fighting jet lag, tiredness and stiff joints by the time they reach their destination.  If they are anything like me, they will feel the need for a good long shower, a cup of tea and a nice quiet nap.  The work out can wait till tomorrow.

Knowing the nature of gymnastics, they won't get the nap, though, and the work out will be today if time allows.  The gymnasts will have precious little time to acclimatise themselves before podium training begins, for the men on Tuesday and for the women on Wednesday.  For the women, there is that subdivision 1 start, meaning that effectively their qualification, and corresponding podium training efforts will begin at what might still feel like 5 in the morning to them.  By the following Wednesday, assuming they qualify to team finals, they will be competing until 6 in the evening.   There will be a change in diet, water, living conditions and schedule for them all.  It makes you realise how demanding the life of a top class elite athlete is, aside all the training, long hours and pain.

As part of the usual pre-Worlds press round, both Valentina Rodionenko and Valery Alfosov have been speaking about how things have been going in the Russian camp, and what the next steps are after the team arrives in Nanning. 

'On the 24th September we had our last control training', says Valentina.  'Both boys and girls competed well, with dignity ... we were pleasantly surprised by the girls ... well done!  Frankly, we did not expect as much of them.  Now, it is important that the girls do not waver in China.  It will be the first time in a major senior competition for four of them.  I also want to note that the older girls are not as nervous as they used to be ...

Below, newcomer to the Russian senior team at Worlds, Alla Sosnitskaya trains a Cheng vault in final training before departure for Nanning.



'We have a week in China before the competitions begins ... we are doing everything to make sure that the gymnasts remain calm.  Don't make any crazy demands of them ... just allow them to show what is ready.  A lot depends on nerves, and the main job for this week is to remove as much stress as possible.  ...

'We will acclimatise during the first week.   ... Our doctors know everything, and we have brought everything with us that we need'

Ivan Stretovitch is one of two young 'Cubs' on the team

'The mood on themen's teambefore leaving forthe World Cup inChinais goodbusiness', said ValeryAlfosov.   'The boyshave completed their entire work plan, they have trainedwell, I have nocomplaints. Everyone is working within their capabilities. Now,after arrivalinChina, everything depends onacclimatization andhow well gymnasts mentallytune intothe competition itself ... We are just looking to remain calm ...

'The olderguys talk very kindly to thenewcomers on the team, I am sure that they feel comfortable, there is no friction between the young and the old.  The guystried very hardin training.In the men'steam,two years after theOlympic Gamesthis is something like a change of generation. We have the 'Cubs'. The time always comes when younggymnasts have to appear on the senior podium for the first time, and I hope thatat this World Championships theyshowtheir skilland ability with dignity.'