Russia defend team silver medal in Rio

The team did well, exploiting its strengths on bars and vault, and holding its own on beam.  Seda Tutkhalyan really showed her maturity and mettle with an almost perfect showing on beam and a solid, if not faultless, display on floor.  Maria Paseka did her best ever Amanar vault.  Aliya Mustafina ... was Mustafina.  Taking her fifth Olympic medal here, she scored over 60 in the AA.  

The best work did come from the 2012 veterans, although Seda on beam and Daria on bars do have that special mark of Russian innovation and skill.  Angelina Melnikova looked perhaps a little overwhelmed at times - though I personally love her emotion - but this was only her first Olympics and I am certain she will be back for more.  Should she have had her personal coach on the floor with her?  It might have given her more assurance.  Is that hamstring still troubling her?  Why does Russia always end up competing injured?

At times the competition looked lost to Russia, who were a little subdued, especially after their low floor scores; there was little of the excitement and drama of the 2012 Olympics.  But there is a great deal of heart and sisterly teamwork in this Russian team.  Seda and Aliya, both daughters of former Soviet wrestlers, share the feisty, philosophical outlook of champions and Seda will make a fine team captain at some time in the not too distant future.  All the gymnasts did their level best to achieve this fantastic result.  They did themselves proud.

But why can't Russia do floor any more?  Neither the tumbling nor the choreography work.  Without Paseka and Mustafina, where would this team have finished?  Russia cannot forever rely on the Alexandrov legacy. Change must be in the air; Russian women's gymnastics cannot survive the artistic and technical atrophy of the last four years.  The coaches need to strategise and plan their work with more ambition and communicate their vision and confidence to the girls.  Alfosov has succeeded in transforming the 'air' around the men's team; perhaps his influence would harness the energy of the women's team more effectively.  The Rodionenko era is surely over.  Russian women's gymnastics will die unless new blood is found to provide energy to the talent of such young gymnasts as Melnikova, Tutkhakyan, Ilyankova and Eremina.

Every team member contributed to this outcome.  China were unlucky with a poor floor outing, but the level of their gymnastics has improved massively and Russia will have to look to their laurels if they wish to stay ahead in future years,  The USA were, as expected, unbeatable, solid and ebullient.  Congratulations to all the medalists!  Molodyets to our girls!