I awoke this morning to a very simple statement from Viktoria Komova, on her vk.com site, which Papa Liukin has translated (via the IG forum):
'Dear friends, fans, and gymnastics lovers. Unfortunately back pain isn't allowing me to train to my full potential and get ready for competitions. I've made the very difficult decision to stop training and take care of my health. I want to thank everyone for their support! Without your love and warmth it would've been more difficult to go all the way. Thanks everyone and see you soon! Love and kisses.'
Well, first of all, good wishes and best of luck to Viktoria, who has struggled since 2012 to re-establish herself fully as a competitive gymnast, whose talent was so great that she secured gold on bars at two different World Championships, four years apart, whose career was littered with controversy, who must be allowed to live her life as she wishes.
I know that the 'gymternet' will now be overflowing with tributes to Viktoria from far and wide. They are deserved. Two individual apparatus golds at Worlds do not even begin to describe this gymnast's potential. The schizophrenic sport of gymnastics never rewarded Komova as she should have been, when she was competing at her best. Two all around silvers, at the 2011 Worlds and 2012 Olympics, were a tragedy and a travesty.
For the Russian team to Rio, Komova's loss is more symbolic than substantial; her withdrawal is the confirmation of what many had suspected for some time. Viktoria's return to World competition in 2015 endorsed her bars genius, but the gymnast was still a shadow of her former self. In a sport where 'going for it' is valued more than virtuosity, artistry, or whatever inadequate word can be used to describe her gymnastics, Komova was never going to be valued appropriately and fairly.
Russia must now simply go for their best performance in Rio with whoever is ready to compete. Sadly for them, the injury list is growing. With Ksenia Afanasyeva currently in Germany for yet another surgery, with Aliya Mustafina currently unable to present four routines in one competition at the same time, with Maria Paseka's presence highlighted by a question mark, the fight for places on the Russian team will be interesting, to say the least, and the fight for medals in the team and individual competition will be ever more difficult.
So, we remember Viktoria and look forward to hearing news of whatever she decides to do next in her life. She is only 21. At an age when most people are only beginning their lives, Viktoria starts life again, as a Champion.
Three words that describe Viktoria for me : melliflous, magnificent, complex.
Further reading about Viktoria on RRG
Viktoria Komova in flight
In general, an ordinary childhood - interview with Viktoria's mother, Vera Kolesnikova
Komova should have won! - reflections on the 2012 Olympic All Around competition
'Who really won the WAG All Around?' - the reference judges gave Komova the win at the 2012 Olympic AA competition.
'Vika, don't cry any more!' Interview post Olympics with Viktoria and her mother
Does Komova need gymnastics?
'Support us, believe in us, watch gymnastics'
'In general, I'm rarely sad' - interview with Viktoria just prior to her 2015 European Games comeback
Viktoria's best floor routine, from the 2012 Olympics
Viktoria Komova : close to perfection on beam at the 2010 Junior European Championships