OB: No. That's just the reality of things, even though the two falls on beam were stupid mistakes, made by the most experienced gymnasts on the team. We took out some of the more difficult skills in Corina Ungureanu's routine, but she messed up. Actually, she's been treating our training sessions with an air of indifference as of late and it seems there's no point in us (coaches) trying to fight it.
AN: What about Simona?
OB: She couldn't handle the pressure and fell off the beam. She just isn't ready (from a psychological standpoint) to be the team leader. Physically and technically, I think she can compete in Sydney and do really well, but it's up her to find the will to do it.
AN: Speaking of Sydney, will the team who won in Tianjin, be the same as the one for the Olympics?
OB: Not a chance. There will be some changes, for sure, because we will leave some gymnasts behind, both from the experienced and junior competitors.
AN: Did you ever think that someone like Loredana Boboc would become a World champion?
OB: That's our problem. Her mere presence on the team shows our team lacks depth. Despite our win, I didn't change my mind. I'm just as skeptical as I was last year.
AN: What did you tell Simona after her beam miss?
OB: What could I tell her? Poor thing, she was depressed, shook up enough as it was. I told her to try and make up for it as much as she could.
AN: Could the Russian team beat us?
OB: How couldn't they? If it weren't for Khorkina's fall, they would have won.
AN: You said that the busing incident you had seemed strange, at best? (The reporter is talking about the Romanian team arriving later at the competition venue because their translator forgot to call the bus who was supposed to pick them up)
OB: Yes, it is. The Romanian and Russian teams were the only ones who arrived late. Then, there was also the rotation change, and we only found out about that when we got to the gym. The gymnasts found out they'll start on beam early in the morning, and they were still recovering from that shock when competition started. The Romanian federation officials should have told us about this earlier.
AN: Speaking of the RGF, did you see any of the Romanian officials?
OB: Only by accident. They never came to our hotel room, they didn't even congratulate the gymnasts after their win. That's ok, though, I'm sure the gymnasts are used to not having them around.
This page hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page