The murky world of Russian gymnastics - The Fifth Floor podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts:

• Irina Viner: Long-time head coach of Russian rhythmic gymnastics, known for her tough and sometimes abusive training methods.
• Alina Kabaeva: Highly decorated rhythmic gymnast, reportedly Vladimir Putin's partner, and founder of the "Heavenly Grace" gymnastics school.
• Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation: Dissolved and replaced with a new gymnastics body, removing Viner from power.
• Heavenly Grace (Sky Grace): Kabaeva's gymnastics school, which operates with unique privileges and rules.
• BRICS Games: International competition where Kabaeva's club competed as a separate entity, leading to conflict with Viner.
• Putin's inner circle: The increasing visibility and prominence of women with reported links to Putin, including his daughters and relatives.

Irina Viner's Fall from Glory

• Domination and Reputation: Irina Viner controlled Russian rhythmic gymnastics for over 20 years, achieving absolute domination both domestically and internationally. She is known as a legendary coach but also has a fearsome reputation.
• Training Methods: Viner is infamous for her tough coaching style, pushing students to their limits, sometimes using rude and abusive language. The documentary about Margarita Mamun's training for the 2016 Rio Olympics highlights the toxic environment, with Viner using insults and applying immense pressure.
  • Example: During Mamun's training, while her father was dying of cancer, Viner told her to perform as if "praying to God to save your father."
• Body Shaming: Viner is known to be critical of her students' appearance, openly body shaming them and demanding they lose weight.
• Political Connections: Viner has been a long-time member of the Russian elite and a campaign surrogate for Vladimir Putin, openly supporting him even after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. She was also married to Kremlin-friendly oligarch Usmanov.
• Dissolution of the Federation: The Ministry of Sport dissolved the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, which Viner had led for 15 years, and created a new gymnastics body without her involvement.
• Loss of Influence: Viner was removed from the Council for the development of physical culture and sports, a council arranged by Putin. She was left with only the position of head coach of the national team, which is considered a relatively average role for someone of her status.
• Resignation: Viner stepped down as the head coach of the national team, marking her complete displacement from the sport she controlled for over two decades.

Alina Kabaeva's Rise

• Achievements: Alina Kabaeva is one of Russia's most famous and decorated gymnasts, with two Olympic medals (one gold), 14 world championship medals, and over 20 European Championship medals.
• Relationship with Putin: Kabaeva is reportedly the long-term partner of Vladimir Putin, although the Kremlin has always denied any relationship. This connection led to sanctions imposed on Kabaeva by the US, the UK, and the European Union in 2022.
• Post-Sporting Career: After retiring from sports in 2007, Kabaeva rapidly rose into the Russian elite, serving as a member of the Russian Parliament for seven years and chairing the board of a major media group controlled by one of Putin's closest allies.
• Public Appearances: Despite holding prominent positions, Kabaeva avoided public appearances and rarely engaged with the media until recently.
• Heavenly Grace Academy: In 2022, Kabaeva announced the formation of her own gymnastics school, Heavenly Grace (Sky Grace), which opened in Sochi with a building provided by Gazprom.
• Unique Privileges: Heavenly Grace operates with unique rules and hosts its own tournaments, handing out awards and titles at its own discretion. Kabaeva's students were allowed to travel and compete in European events with neutral status, despite the suspension of other Russian athletes after the invasion of Ukraine.
• Contrasting Coaching Style: Kabaeva's coaching approach at Heavenly Grace is portrayed as more supportive and less abusive than Viner's, as seen in videos where she comforts crying children and emphasizes effort over immediate results.
• BRICS Games Conflict: At the BRICS Games, Kabaeva's club competed as a separate entity, leading to a conflict with Viner, who accused judges of being biased in favor of Kabaeva's team. Viner's behavior led to a complaint to the Sports Minister and criticism of her conduct.
  • Quote: Viner reportedly told a judge, "Young lady, just because Sky Grace invited you here it doesn't mean you have to do their work for them, doesn't mean that you have to award them higher points."

The Rise of Women Linked to Putin

• Emergence from the Shadows: In recent years, women with reported links to Putin have increasingly stepped into the spotlight, including his daughters and relatives.
• Maria Vorontsova: Putin's eldest daughter, a doctor, gave a surprise interview about health care and spoke at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
• Katerina Tikhonova: Putin's younger daughter also appeared at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
• Anna Tsivilyova: Putin's first cousin once removed, previously known as the wife of a regional governor, became more visible in the media and was appointed Deputy Defence Minister, despite having no prior experience in defence or government.
• Reasons for Increased Visibility: The war in Ukraine has created a different environment in which Russia's elite operates, making it possible for Putin's relatives to come out of hiding. The pressure of sanctions and the focus on the war may have reduced concerns about nepotism and corruption.

Conclusion:

The story of Irina Viner's fall from grace and Alina Kabaeva's rise reflects a significant shift in the landscape of Russian rhythmic gymnastics and the broader dynamics of the Russian elite. Viner's long-standing dominance, characterized by her tough coaching methods and political connections, has been disrupted by Kabaeva's emergence as a powerful figure with unique privileges and a contrasting approach. The increasing visibility of women linked to Putin suggests a broader trend of consolidating power and influence within his inner circle, facilitated by the environment created by the war in Ukraine.