Via Sports Express, TASS has confirmed the following :
TASS conducted a telephone interview with national team coach Valentina Rodionenko.
A chronic back injury has prevented Mustafina from showing her best for a long time. At the end of 2014 the athlete started receiving treatments from a clinic in Germany. Now Mustafina is back training at Round Lake while continuing her follow-up treatments in Germany.
Valentina Rodionenko: “Aliya last went to Germany at the end of January. So far the doctors are pleased with her recovery and pace. As long as Aliya follows their orders, then most likely they won’t need to do any more with her. Right now Aliya is training but not at full strength. This was the physicians’ orders. As such, Aliya will not compete at the Russian Championships in March or European Championships in April in France.”
TASS wants to note that the biggest competition of the season is the World Championships, which will be held in October in the UK.
Valentina Rodionenko: “This competition is a qualifier to the Olympic Games. It’s very important for Aliya to be fully prepared. It’s not worth sacrificing her for the European Championships. We can’t let last year’s situation happen again.”
Last spring Mustafina had serious problems with her ankle and insisted on competing at the European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. Many of the country's top gymnasts missed the championships due to injuries, and Mustafina stepped in to help the team through a difficult period.
A chronic back injury has prevented Mustafina from showing her best for a long time. At the end of 2014 the athlete started receiving treatments from a clinic in Germany. Now Mustafina is back training at Round Lake while continuing her follow-up treatments in Germany.
Valentina Rodionenko: “Aliya last went to Germany at the end of January. So far the doctors are pleased with her recovery and pace. As long as Aliya follows their orders, then most likely they won’t need to do any more with her. Right now Aliya is training but not at full strength. This was the physicians’ orders. As such, Aliya will not compete at the Russian Championships in March or European Championships in April in France.”
TASS wants to note that the biggest competition of the season is the World Championships, which will be held in October in the UK.
Valentina Rodionenko: “This competition is a qualifier to the Olympic Games. It’s very important for Aliya to be fully prepared. It’s not worth sacrificing her for the European Championships. We can’t let last year’s situation happen again.”
Last spring Mustafina had serious problems with her ankle and insisted on competing at the European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. Many of the country's top gymnasts missed the championships due to injuries, and Mustafina stepped in to help the team through a difficult period.
I think this is a positive sign that Aliya's health is taking priority. I wish her all the best for a GOOD recovery and a happy year.
Thanks to Nico of The Liukin for the translation, and to Lifje at Gymfever for the alert.
In other news, I know you will all be happy to see that Anastasia Grishina competed in the Moscow Championships recently, finishing second with her team. I am hoping that this means a return to active competition for Nastia, and wish her very good luck. This is the source -
So some nice, hopeful news for a chilly day! Keep warm, and lots of positive thoughts for our team, please :-)
