Twice World Champion Ksenia Afanasyeva will miss Russia Cup later this month to recover from surgery to her ankle, reports TASS this morning. The vault and floor specialist flew home from Munich on Saturday. This is the fourth operation that Ksenia has had to a torn ligament in her right ankle, an injury that originally surfaced during preparations for the 2012 Olympics.
'I would not call it an operation [so much as a procedure]', said head coach Valentina Rodionenko, 'It is an old injury that the doctors have cleaned up. We are really hoping for her to compete in Rio.'
Afanasyeva said that dependent upon her recovery and selection for the national team, she hoped to be able to compete in Rio.
Good luck to Ksenia as she works to recover from her surgery!
Good luck to Ksenia as she works to recover from her surgery!
TASS report by Pavel Gurevich
Further reading on RRG:
'They call me crazy for thinking of 2020' - Interview with Ksenia
Sports Express interview with Afanasyeva from May 2014, where she discusses her injury
Injury update about Mustafina and Afanasyeva, October 2015
The magnificent Afanasyeva - key points of an interview with Ksenia, April 2015
'Strong character and skill will serve as a collateral for your athletic success' - Ksenia is presented with an award by the local Governor - April 2015
A symphony of Ksenia Afanasyeva - April 2014 picture gallery
'Winning gold gave me the strength to carry on' - Afanasyeva in 2014
Afanasyeva! - An appreciation of Ksenia after her gold in 2013 Europeans
Afanasyeva - confidence, errors and support. An interview with the team captain after the 2012 Olympics
Marina Nazarova: none of our girls come from rich families - interview with Ksenia's coach, just before the 2012 Olympics
Ksenia Afanasyeva : we are strong and beautiful. Pre-2012 Olympics interview
Afanasyeva out of 2012 Europeans
Interview with Ksenia from April 2012
Further reading on RRG:
'They call me crazy for thinking of 2020' - Interview with Ksenia
Sports Express interview with Afanasyeva from May 2014, where she discusses her injury
Injury update about Mustafina and Afanasyeva, October 2015
The magnificent Afanasyeva - key points of an interview with Ksenia, April 2015
'Strong character and skill will serve as a collateral for your athletic success' - Ksenia is presented with an award by the local Governor - April 2015
A symphony of Ksenia Afanasyeva - April 2014 picture gallery
'Winning gold gave me the strength to carry on' - Afanasyeva in 2014
Afanasyeva! - An appreciation of Ksenia after her gold in 2013 Europeans
Afanasyeva - confidence, errors and support. An interview with the team captain after the 2012 Olympics
Marina Nazarova: none of our girls come from rich families - interview with Ksenia's coach, just before the 2012 Olympics
Ksenia Afanasyeva : we are strong and beautiful. Pre-2012 Olympics interview
Afanasyeva out of 2012 Europeans
Interview with Ksenia from April 2012