Legendary coach Alexander Alexandrov - head coach of the Russian team from 2009 to 2013 - has given a series of interviews, in the Russian language, to Tass correspondent Albert Starodubtsev. They are fascinating reading.
It is clear that Alexandrov has serious worries about the state of the training system in Russia, and he has some choice words about head coach Valentina Rodionenko, and her notorious press statements. He also expresses some concerns about coaching provision for Russia's big star, Aliya Mustafina. He says he would consider returning to Russia if invited by Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko. In particular he would look to train young up and coming coaches with the fire and energy to drive the Russian system forward.
It is important to remember the context in which Alexandrov's statement was made, so as not to get carried away. As I read this, the possibility of his return to Russia is probably low given the timing. To understand the context - the question of whether Alexander returns to Russia is still clearly a moot point - the coach was responding to a question from journalist Starodubtsev when making this statement. Alexandrov makes it clear that the initiative would have to come from the Russian Government, and there is no suggestion right now that the Russian government is considering such a change.
I am summarising the key points of the interviews below.
'I still feel the heartache'
- Alexander still misses coaching the Russian team, but as time has passed he has reflected on his work and realises that maybe he had made mistakes. At the time, his focus was to show results; he wasn't paying attention to other things.
- Before leaving Russia he spoke with Minister of Sports, Vitaly Mutko. Mutko led Alexandrov to understand that he did not want him to leave Russia. But now, talking about the possibility of a return will only be possible if Mutko contacts Alexandrov. Alexandrov has travelled to Russia, but no one has tried to contact him. He is ready to go back to Russia, but does not see himself as being close to the current leadership team [note - he means that he won't return to work under the Rodionenkos].
- The famous coach said that he had really enjoyed helping to develop Russian gymnastics, but that now it was far more important to find talented young coaches, under the age of 40 years who can work with passion with the team. With his vast experience, Alexandrov feels that he could help them.
- Alexandrov's contract with the Brazilian team expires after the end of the Olympic Games in 2016. However, it can be terminated early, if both parties agree.
- Mustafina's return to competitive gymnastics will be complicated not only by her physical injuries, but also by some great psychological challenges. Alexandrov notes that he acts as a long term mentor to his athletes.
- Aliya is an athlete who has a very difficult character - this is what in turn makes it possible for her to win medals in competition. Finding a way of motivating her is essential, and only if this motivation is found, will she help the team. After the last Games she carried the team for two seasons, and Alexandrov thinks she overtired herself. He spoke with her in Glasgow and she honestly said that she wanted to go back to the gym. But, as Alexandrov understands it, she is waiting for someone who can help her. Mustafina is a 'maximalist' - she will only compete if there is a chance of winning medals. But she does need help. Someone has to help her make sure that she is able to fight for medals.
- America is well ahead of the rest in the individual all around, but Mustafina has to be able to see herself on the podium in Rio in 2016. Someone justs needs to find the right approach to motivating her, and then she will definitely help the team. Someone has to manage Aliya.
- Alexandrov repeated what he had said in 2013, that he only left the national team in order to protect Aliya Mustafina. 'It so happened that I, as head coach of the women's team, became Aliya's personal coach, but I did not initiate this arrangement.' [Note: Aliya's personal coach, Dina Kamalova, left Russia suddenly for a job in America, just before Aliya turned senior.] Aliya had been forced to take up first position in the team line up in London, a position that traditionally brings low scores with it. She had to compete on floor in the team competition, something Alexandrov wasn't happy about as it brought with it the risk of injury. But even though he was head coach and said he thought that this was wrong, no one listened, and he hadn't been able to change matters. So in the end he felt he had to leave, to try to protect Aliya from continued problems.
- But as far as Alexander understands, things went the wrong way after he left as the team leadership began to allow Aliya to do whatever she wanted to do. This can't work all the time with a winner like Mustafina, she needs someone who will guide and supervise her. 'Discipline is the key to sports longevity', he said. Aliya has lost time as a result of having no one to lead her and help her to make the right decisions.
- Without Aliya Mustafina, the Russian team finished out of the medals, in fourth place. The last time that Russia did not win a medal was 2009. At the last Olympic Games in 2012, the Russian team, led by Mustafina, took second place in the team final.
- If the Russian team wants to win medals in the team event, they will have to do everything they can to ensure that Mustafina returns to the sport, said Alexander. If this happens, the Russian team will be able to finish second. First place will be very difficult, as America are best of everyone, but second should be attainable.
- Alexandrov thinks that the girls' team should have been able to stand on the podium in Glasgow earlier this week. 'It is obvious that there are some problems in the training process', he added. 'The Russian gymnasts do not have the same power as competitors from other countries, for example the British gymnasts.'
- 'I read an interview with coach Valentina Rodionenko where she alleged that Britain had been overscored because of a home advantage. But I do not think so. With four falls, how can you blame the judges?'
- Alexander also considers 'frivolous' the idea that Russia's poor performance in the team competition was unusual, because of the limited experience of most of the athletes. The team has some experienced athletes, he said. Masha Kharenkova competed at the World Championships last year, and that should have been enough experience. The only one who has any excuse is Seda Tutkhalyan - she does lack some experience, even though she competed this summer at the European Games. And 'Tutkhalyan's performance was not bad'.
- Viktoria Komova and Ksenia Afanasyeva have great competitive experience. Viktoria is a 'very talented girl'. She needs more motivation in her training, and to understand that she is fighting for her country. Alexandrov says he may be wrong, but there seemed to be little desire in the Russian team to 'fight to the end', like the Americans did. The men's team seemed to fight much harder the next day, but the girls - not.