Since the departure of Russian gymnasts to Azerbaijan, it seems that the wind of change also stroke the winner of "Hope of Russia" competition Marina Nekrasov, who was recently added to the WOG team of Azerbaijan, raising the number of gymnasts who left Russian to four.
Russia sport agency "All Sport" special correspondent Maria Vorobevoy spoke with Russian head coach Valentina Rodionenco about this trend and of the gymnasts chances in their new adoptive country.
"Let's talk about Anna Pavlova - Rodionenco said to Valentine - 26 years old athlete and for the past 6 years, she didn't show any improvement to her routines. Even so, with all her routines she sometimes comes better than others. Of course, we haven't interfere with this transition, Anna is no longer a member of the Russian team. But I want to say one thing even if she will compete on the European Championship for Azerbaijan it's unlikely to have results over this change. Her simple routines are simply not enough to enter to such international competitions and also they will not guarantee high places. If we talk about Yulia Inshina, I do very much doubt that she will compete for Azerbaijan. First of all, she has put a terrible weight which is simple unacceptable in this sport. Secondly, she has problems with her lumbar spine. Therefore it's pretty unlikely that Inshina will compete for Azerbaijan. You see, all the gymnasts that are currently not included in the Russian national team, are looking for a chance like this and I can understand them. Maybe they want to purse a career, perhaps it is a way for them to earn experience or medals. Others are offering and they are happy to go, and time will tell what will happen. Azerbaijan is not producing gymnasts, they only have the national team. I can certainly say that none of the gymnasts that passed to Azerbaijan will be competitive as a boys and girls in international competitions"
