The teams are more important than individuals, says Rodionenko

Viktoria Komova receives her team medal at a ceremony last week.

Speaking in an interview on the Russian Olympic Association's website, Andrei and Valentina Rodionenko put forward their thoughts on the potential of their teams in Glasgow..

- A key theme of the interview was the refreshment of the teams who both have a young contingent.

- Three very young girls come to the podium, and all that is expected of them is that they avoid mistakes.  Their routines are complex and ready for the Rio Olympics - they do not have to do any more.

- The girls will fight, but 'it will be difficult without Mustafina'

- Glasgow should really be considered as Komova's first serious start since her comeback.  Yes, she competed in Baku - but she was very nervous there ('trembling'); she has become more confident since, and they hope that she will compete for a medal on the uneven bars where she has a very strong routine.  She may compete on three pieces of apparatus.  She has grown significantly since London 2012 and had to start from scratch on bars because of the parameters and dimensions of the apparatus but they hope she will do well.

- The experience of Komova can't be compared with the youth of Kharenkova and Tutkhalyan.  Komova was trained in the classical school of gymnastics.  Seda Tutkhalyan is different again, has more power and different potential.  'If Tutkhalyan does not falter, she could compete for a prize in the all around.'

- Maria Kharenkova has to develop a stronger psychology, but they hope for good work from her.  She was second in Europe all around.  

-  Next year's team will be strengthened.  They mention Angelina Melnikova as having potential for the Rio team.

- Ablyazin, Belyavski, Ignatyev, Kuksenkov are leaders; perhaps they have worries about Kuksenkov but he has lots of experience and is strong; they have adjusted his training programme.  

- Ivan Stretovich has good p bars, pommels and high bar.  Nikita Nagorny is strong on the vault.

- The women should finish in the top three.  The men will compete for a place from three to five.

- All of the athletes are now working for the team.  Gymnastics is changing very rapidly and the team needs to be prepared to compete strongly on all apparatus.

http://www.olympic.ru/news/news-russia/news-federations/valentina-rodionenko-nadeemsia-chto-rossiyskaia-molodej-ne/

In other news, the FIG has announced that Oksana Chusovituna will compete a Produnova vault!  Davai Oksana!