Valentina Rodionenko, head coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, expressed her dissatisfaction with Simone Biles’ victory at the World Championships in Antwerp.
The American gymnast won gold in the team and individual all-around, as well as silver on vault.
“I want to express my regrets about Biles’ victory. What is gymnastics? It’s scary to watch it! Do you think there is at least some kind of aesthetic there -low? There is simply nothing to watch. She has no great performance, only difficulty. She only wins through difficulty.
We will now submit these questions to the international federation. What should prevail? Beauty and high level of performance while respecting the rules. Or will we only follow the path of complexity? So what will artistic gymnastics look like? Surprise with tips? that’s a big question.
Unfortunately, during these World Championships, we did not see a single gymnast with a high level of performance. I can only mention the Chinese on the uneven bars. Disappointment,” Rodionenko said in an interview with Match TV.
Reactions from Reddit:
Redushab said: “While Simone isn’t the most “artistic” gymnast in the world, she’s also not the least… and her form is clearly some of the best in the world, so the idea that she wins “only with difficulty” is just laughable. Her gymnastics are incredibly beautiful and pleasing to watch. Rodionenko going to Rodionenko.”
Acam30: “According to some Russians Simone’s approved ADHD meds she’s taken since she was 9 mean she’s doping ???? When their country literally had govt sponsored cheating, I guess they just assume everyone else must be cheating too?”
Udongeuret: “How is she literally ignoring the most important factor in artistic gymnastics—technique? Simone wins NOT because of her difficulty, but because of her difficulty combined with impeccable technique/form… she would not be half as successful without that. I hate how this “omgggg where’s the artistry anymore in artistic gymnastics my artistic gymnasts are losing to Simome” narrative COMPLETELY disregards the fact that Simone has better technique than all of them lol.”
Gliterring_use said: “While I understand freedom of speech and whatnot, it is in such poor taste for the head of a federation to make these comments. Her anger and spite are palpable. Could you imagine Laurent giving an interview after finals about how everyone else sucked and no one impressed him? He’d be out of a job immediately.”
BlueJeans95 said: “This stuff doesn’t really surprise me anymore. I remember back when Simone was first starting out and some of the Russians accused her of doing steroids/doping including Komova.”
Upbeat-Strategy-2359 said: “This point cannot be emphasized enough. She went after Simone but she also was throwing shade at the brazillians. The podium for all-around were all people who identified as black women, throw in Melanie and some others and you have a worlds full of agitation for the Russians lol.”
BrennanSpeaks said: “What is gymnastics? It’s scary to watch it! Do you think there is at least some kind of aesthetic there -low? There is simply nothing to watch. She has no great performance, only difficulty. She only wins through difficulty.”