Leonid Arkayev at a recent congress of the RGF
Leonid Arkayev, rock of the Russian and former Soviet gymnastics systems, turns 72 today.
Now directing his own gymnastics empire at the Leonid Arkayev School of Gymnastics in Saransk - where he works alongside choreographer Natalia Karamushka - Leonid's zest for the sport remains undiminished; in addition to performing as Head of this developing centre, he also still coaches his young gymnasts and remains involved at grass roots as well as national level. He regularly attends the major international competitions.
The Russian sports establishment needs his unique insight, incisive opinions and inspirational presence, expressed most recently in a characteristically candid and direct interview with leading sports commentator Elena Vaitsekhovskaya. Of the new generation of Russian up and coming coaches, only Sergei Starkin seems to embrace Arkayev's philosophy of total dedication and limitless energy. Starkin acknowledges Arkayev's influence on his training techniques, going back as far as Soviet training camps he attended as a young coach at Lake Krugloye during the 1980s.
Arkayev knows that world-beating gymnastics is created only in conditions of total discipline and focus on the main goal. His methods brought the Soviet men's and women's teams to a point of perfection during the 80s and 90s that has yet to be matched. He led the Russian men's team to Olympic gold in 1996; his brilliant women's teams, in 1996 and 2000, had to be satisfied with silver when they fell prey to the inconsistency that has become all too characteristic of Russian gymnastics. Never mind, to compare former Soviet with current Russian success would be roughly akin to comparing USA to Texas in terms of demographic and resource potential.
Leonid left the national team in 2006; gymnastics had faltered in the massive political and social changes that had taken place in Russia during the post-Soviet era. His methods of total control were out of kilter with Russia's declining sports ambitions and he had to accept a change. Today, he admires the spectacular gymnastics of Simone Biles and Epke Zonderland and regrets the failing motivation and morale that has left 'his' team with meagre rewards at recent World Championships. His word remains strong and influential in Russia, even if he admits to be relieved that he no longer has to bear the stress of being head coach.
My guess is that, given a chance, he would do it all again. I'm sure he wishes for Russian gold in Rio, both men and women. Who knows, perhaps a future Olympian - if not for 2020, then for 2024 - is in training today in Saransk.
Read Elena Vaitsekhovskaya's interview with Leonid here - http://rewritingrussiangymnastics.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/leonid-arkayev-interview-with-elena.html