"Formally Elena is not an Olympic Champion. The people responsible for following those guidelines were the ones in the room at the time of the accident, not the coach 440 miles away. As a human being, he was trying to escape the shadow of his brother and establish a name of his own. What a joke, he wrote. By the time of the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, she was already making a name for herself but was not yet consistent enough to earn a place among the Soviet ranks. Now her coach is gone too. At the time Nadia Comaneci was Romanias top gymnast. It would ultimately be Mukhinas downfall. Share with us. I hope everyone had a great holiday and New Years. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. ", I blame Twitters virtue-signallers for fuelling this culture of celebrating weakness. As for the gold medal? The Soviets weren't only denying that Mukhina had suffered a catastrophic injury, but were downplaying it to such an extent they were heavily implying it wasn't even bad enough to qualify as a career ending injury. 4 Elena Mukhina, Uneven Bars . Director of the Soviet womens gymnastics, Larisa Latynina, was blamed for the embarrassing defeat. Just admit you did badly, made mistakes, and will strive to do better next time. RIP - YouTube 0:00 / 2:37 Gymnastics Angel. It remains one of the greatest individual showings gymnastics have ever seen. Mukhina would always remember him with fondness, and together she rose to become Moscow champion. She was discovered by Bela Karolyi in 1973, was featured in an American television program in 1976, and had been sent to the Olympics as an observer in 1980, all before making her 1984 Olympic debut at the age of 16. Back in 1975, she had suffered a spinal injury which required hospital treatment and rest. Klimenko had broken Mukhina mentally, and he had also broken her physically. Bilozerchev is champion again, smelling the roses and dancing until dawn. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Thousands of people are in the stands. Leave a LIKE if you enjoyed the Story of \"Elena Mukhina\" \u0026 SUBSCRIBE for more gymnastics videos! But none of this is a work of fiction. She was raised by her grandmother, Anna Ivanovna. Otherwise, you can go crazy. She would eventually get inducted into the CSKA Hall of Fame. Daniel Hale blows the whistle on the US drone wars, Is Julianna Penas destruction of Amanda Nunes really the biggest upset in MMA history? . Read RT Privacy policy to find out more. Flanked by two small pots of flowers, its gleaming face bears the image of girl, a perfect picture of poise and concentration. She was going to say yes to anything and wasnt willing to question the limits. A . But it was the coaches of the Soviet national team who had been the ones who ultimately destroyed Mukhina in a way in which she could never recover. . She matched that achievement at the European Championships in Copenhagen, where she also added a silver medal in the floor exercise. All of that rested on the performance of a single individual, Elena Mukhina. Despite purported advice from Klimenko that she should only perform it into the foam pit, she was training on the platform. The TsITO doctors X-rayed the leg and discovered that the fracture had not healed properly and would not be able to sustain the pounding of gymnastics in its present condition. "She is too sensitive. The slightest lapse - whether it be physical or mental - can be life changing, sometimes even fatal. Mikhall KLIMENKO was once National juniors' champion of the USSR, but turned to the profession of coach quite early due to an injury and once took care of the gravely injured wheelchair-bound Elena Mukhina.The brother of the sixfold European Champion Victor Klimenko, who lives in Germany now, was known as one of the most . Mukhina spent 18 months to go from having never done high level routines to being capable of holding her own against your average Olympian. In 1977, Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina modified the flip by adding a full twist. In 2021, she was posthumously inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. From the debate over what constitutes emotional/mental abuse, to the sport trying to break its culture of silence. These are real clips of a real person who in the end, really did get hurt, and the damage couldnt be undone. Some reports said doctors feared she was paralyzed, while others said she has use of her arms and legs and is able to speak. He never reconciled with Mukhina and his death from cancer came on November 14, 2007 his 65th birthday. Action Images, Mukhina had emerged as a world-beating force but faced increasing pressure. Mukhina took an interest in gymnastics and figure skating at an early age. As a memorial to one of the greatest Soviet-era gymnasts ever, the biggest sports newspaper in Russia, Sovietskij SPORT, dedicated the cover of their Christmas 2006 issue to her. What a f moron. It was enough to declare Mikhail Klimenko a coach with repeat success and from that point forward, he could never be dismissed as an untalented coach who had simply gotten lucky with Mukhina. Why?, "Even though athletes get to travel and see so much, they are terribly deprived spiritually. Yelena Mukhina died last year at 46. Mukhina took a keen interest in children and young gymnasts both before and after her injury. With lingering weakness in her leg and continuing exhaustion from the strenuous weight loss workouts, Mukhina had difficulty getting back up to speed on what was to be the new end move of her floor routine tumbling passes, the Thomas salto. Now she will watch the games from her hospital bed, her future uncertain but her gymnastics career surely ended. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. . It had been a staple of Soviet womens gymnastics since the 1960s. The Moscow Games have not even begun, but this must be one of their saddest stories. On July 3, 1980, two weeks before the Moscow Olympics, Mukhina was practicing the pass containing the Thomas salto when she under-rotated the salto, crash-landed on her chin, and her spine snapped. "I was stupid. Mukhinas first serious steps were taken under the tutelage of Alexander Eglit. I was so tired then, both physically and psychologically.". Elena Mukhina: You Are In Gymnastics (1978) Share Watch on The documentary features a "pep talk" between Mukhina and her coach Mikhail Klimenko. The other was twice her age who had professional training that could be used as a tool for manipulation. Can you let (these thoughts) happen? Mukhinas breakout success while being older than most of her competitors is one of WAGs greatest anomalies. For Mukhina, a disturbing pattern had already emerged of an athlete being forced to push through injury in a clamor to the pinnacle of her sport. The move was named after US mens star Kurt Thomas and involved a 1.5 backflip-1.5 twist combination before a roll-out. In 1976 Nadia Comaneci dominated the Olympics when she was only 14 years old. RIA Novosti, Mukhina's condition deteriorated and she struggled even to sit upright. During her Ogonyok magazine interview, she said one of the National Team coaches showed up at her hospital room the day after her surgery and flat out told her that she wasnt conscientious, and that she could still train in a cast. USA Gymnastics released a statement confirming she had withdrawn with a "medical issue". One of Europes top right-wing extremists: Who is the neo-Nazi behind this weeks Ukrainian attack in Russias Bryansk Region? One example comes at 1:40 where there is a cut between the comment made by Klimenko and Mukhinas response. The following quote comes directly from Elena Mukhina: Im not condemning anyone or blaming anyone for what happened to me. It would take two separate incidents to bring her to the forefront of the Soviet team. It took near-perfect timing to avoid either under-rotation and landing on the chin or over-rotation and landing on the back of the head. It was Comaneci who took the all-around title as part of three golds. It was the worst possible combination, a gymnast willing to tolerate anything her coach threw at her, and a coach willing to push a gymnast as far as he could. was also an option at one point, but I finally decided on the song you hear in the video, and I'd say the lyrics and tune do the justice. Elena Mukhina -1977 Paris Grand Prix Floor Elena Mukhina Alexey Cheremisin The present study is devoted to the simulation of thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method with a focus on the initial distribution of various organic matter (OM . The clips can be found in the above YouTube video. of her own health not just to avoid a blown hamstring or broken bone but to avoid a potentially life-threatening injury and haters have no ground to criticize her for that. Because of the devastating injury, Elena Mukhina could not be added to the 1980 Soviet Union Olympic team roster. Instead a different gymnast is shown practicing on beam while Mukhina and Klimenko become narrations. Elena Vyacheslavovna Mukhina ( first name sometimes rendered "Yelena", last name sometimes rendered "Muchina"; June 1, 1960December 22, 2006), born in Moscow, Russian SFSR, was a former Soviet gymnast who won the All-Around title at the 1978 World Championships at Strasbourg, France. Perhaps the most significant part of the footage comes when Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci is invoked in the discussion. Aged 18, Mukhina was imperious as she won gold in the all-around, team and floor events, as well as picking up silver medals in the uneven bars and balance beam. Mukhina was training at the Minski Palace of Sport when the injury occurred, her coach was not present. There will also be men's gymnastics videos in which we will showcase floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar montages! Gymnastics is a cruel sport at times albeit a gorgeous one that your whole heart will love.I will start off by saying that I didn't even know which song to use because there are hardly ANY that honor her. Note: It is for the reader to decide whether Klimenkos conduct in the Mukhina tapes constitutes emotional/mental abuse, it is not my intention to imply that it is. The moment she fell to the floor, Mukhina described her first thought as, "Thank God, I won't be going to the Olympics.". It was almost exclusive to male gymnastics and required perfect execution to avoid being cripplingly dangerous. She remained with her grandmother in a Moscow apartment, reclusive and rarely giving interviews. Gymnastics Angel. Nevertheless, Kilmenko had desperately wanted Mukhina to make the Olympic team roster so he could become the Olympic champions trainer. Soon after Mukhinas paralytic injury, Kilmenko emigrated to Italy, where he lived with his children until he died from cancer on November 14, 2007. Sending love to you @Simone_Biles -Team UNITED States of America . Just a month prior to the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, 20-year-old Elena Mukhina under-rotated the Thomas salto, landing on her chin. Biles would later say she had suffered from the twisties, a form of gymnastics yips that leaves its sufferers feeling lost in the air. Aug 4, 2021 - A catastrophic injury cost Mukhina the use of her limbs. Mukhina Badly Hurt In Gym Fall Washington Post, I have always wanted to take my favorite subjects; true crime, sports, and anything macabre and take time to write about them. The Code of Points was later modified to ban standing on the high bar during routines. Klimeko asked this knowing full well what Mukhinas answer would be, but he asked anyway to remind Mukhina that leaving him was an unrealistic option. Even though Mukhina herself would later state her injury was not the byproduct of a lone individual, but the flawed Soviet system as a whole. Alberto Capra. Her career was on the rise, and she was widely touted as the next great gymnastics star until 1979, when she broke a leg and missed several competitions. Likewise, her full name is Ekaterina Alexandrovna Gordeeva. and her World Championship performance is captured in the ABC Sports video Gymnastics' Greatest Stars. Once again the Soviets were lambasting Mukhina by putting the burden back on her. "ELENA MUKHINA OLYMPIC CHAMPION" is the story of Elena Mukhina, Soviet gymnast, World Champion 1978, who had an injury just few days before the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Other critics mocked Biles and compared her to Kerri Strug, who famously vaulted on an injured ankle for the United States at the 1996 Olympics, winning a gold medal. I think back to that snowy day in late December of 1974 where a coach and a gymnast crossed paths for the first time. The Thomas salto is now banned for both men and women. It was perfected by American gymnast Kurt Thomas, hence the name the Thomas salto. I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardise my health and well-being," she said. On July 3, 1980, two weeks before the Moscow Olympics, Elena was practicing the Thomas salto tumbling move when she under-rotated and crash-landed on her chin, snapping her spine and leaving her quadriplegic. The coaching relationship between Mukhina and Klimenko was marked by a power imbalance. Mukhina was reported to have fallen on first on bars (July 9th), then on the beam, (July 14th) and it wasn't until July 16th that the AP correctly reported she had been injured on floor. Take another look at the video from the Amanar vault gone wrong.While flipping and spinning . Gradually, though, Klimenko would become convinced that this was a gem who could be polished gently or otherwise into a champion. La trgica historia de la gimnasta que venci a Comaneci. Everyone is looking at the platform, where a little girl with tousled bangs is soaring through the air. You can share this story on social media: Subscribe to RT newsletter to get news highlights of the day right in your mailbox, Elena Mukhina soared to incredible heights before her tragic accident. Mukhina took an interest in figure skating and gymnastics at a very early age. Initial rumors were that she had fallen while making her approach to the vault, then Soviet newspaper reported she had fallen during a dismount from the balance beam and had a blackout, but got back up to finish her routine without knowing how badly she had been hurt. "Physically, I feel good, I'm in shape," she told the US Today Show. However, unlike the popular narrative - Strug performed that vault under pressure from her coach, injuring her ankle further. As the current star of the Soviet program at the time, Mukhina received top billing and a majority of the camera time. Information began to emerge slowly. 1988. There was little doubt that the Soviet Olympic womens gymnastics team would get the gold medal in the team competition, as it had in previous Olympics. I thought you would like it given your interests in WAG history. Reinforcing the idea on Mukhina that she is a burden to him. The weight was becoming intolerable, all the while Mukhina missing out on the carefree life of a regular teenage girl. She was 20 years old. Her career was on the rise and she . Moreover, her family lovingly calls her Katia. She was taken unconscious to a hospital. The Elena Mukhina tapes are only 3.5 minutes in length, and in that short time we get a wide range of historic symbolism. I know many won't watch it mainly due to the length of it, but I HAD to just explain basically everything because the point of this video, for me at least, is that maybe a coach will see it and the tragey won't repeat, normal people will see it and remember her name. She said she begged them not to remove her cast and discharge her because she knew she was not healed yet. What they will find at her grave is that image of a girl looking out intently yet elegantly, set amid a darker backdrop. Mukhina herself eventually succumbed to complications from her condition on December 22, 2006. Mukhina did survive after surgery, and despite being wedded to a wheelchair, she is said to have found a new perspective in the wake of tragedy. Mukhinas reactions are not always being shown. Under the ever-demanding eye of Klimenko, Mukhina became all-round silver medalist at the Soviet championships in 1977, the same year she won three titles at the European championships in Prague along with one silver and one bronze, as well two World Cup titles. The story of Elena Mukhina, the gymnast who became a quadriplegic at age 20, pushed to the limit to beat Nadia Comaneci 7/28/2021, 11:02:10 AM The Soviet was destined to regain the throne of that sport for her country, but a few weeks before the 1980 Moscow Olympics she suffered a terrible fall. Nothing exists except work and pressure, which constantly increase, and sometimes it seems thatthat's it, you haven't got any more strength. For Biles, her refusal to be another number could very well be the most important move of her life. Where I disagree with Soviet officials is their claim that it was all Klimenkos fault. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But my coach once told me, 'Until you break, no one will let you go.'". This week, four-time Olympic champion and golden girl of Team USA Simone Biles pulled out of the 2021 Olympics. In 1982, Juan Samaranch, president of the IOC, awarded her the Silver Medal of Olympic Order. Bravo pour votre travail remarquable sur Elena Moukhina ! https://www.youtube.com/c/RAEscape/videos, Your email address will not be published. Mukhina spoke up and tried to convince her coach of how dangerous the element was. or. Elena Mukhina: The Thomas Salto Tragedy The Dark Side Of Life The Small Sports Blog. My coach came the next day and said that I wasn't conscientious and that I could train in a cast.". As a rising star, everyone had their eyes on her for the coming Olympic games, something Mukhina said pressured her into pushing through her injury. Once again against Mukhinas wishes, the doctors removed her cast prematurely. Sputnik, Mukhina was paralyzed by the accident. Video: El ejercicio que quiso imitar Elena Mukhina y la dej tetrapljica 0 seconds of 12 secondsVolume 0% 00:25 00:12 ltimos Videos 13/09/2020 12:05 Clarn.com Deportes Actualizado al. Thats just how long it takes for returning Olympic gymnasts. Ekaterina Gordeeva was born on 28 May 1971 and she is currently 51 years old. I feel sorry for Klimenko hes a victim of the system, a member of the clan of grownups who are doing their job.. YouTube, Mukhina regularly battled with injuries. She was able to mix her innovative moves with the classic Soviet-style of gymnastics, inspired by ballet movements and expressive lines. 6 ratings3 reviews. You took care of yourself. Just look at the cautionary tale of Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina, . She hails from Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, and her zodiac sign is Gemini. The TsITO doctors X-rayed her leg and realized that the fracture had not healed properly. Despite Mukhinas never-ending warnings that the element was causing minor injuries and was dangerous enough to cause a major injury, she was pushed to keep it in her routine and continued to practice it, even knowing about the risks. The balance of power appeared to be shifting. The mantra appeared clear: injury was weakness or unwillingness, Mukhina had to break through the pain to achieve greatness. The Soviets and other communist nations were very public with these tactics, which validated there usage elsewhere. After voicing her concern that she would break her neck attempting the move, the coach dismissed her. Mukhinas career ended in tragedy, an injury on the eve of the 1980 Olympics left her paralyzed from the neck down just one month after celebrating her 20th birthday. Yelena Viktorovna Davydova (Russian: ; born 7 August 1961) is a Russian-Canadian gymnastics coach and judge who competed for the former Soviet Union.She was the women's artistic individual all-around champion at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Strug never competed again. Mukhina went as far as to say she felt sorry for Klimenko and classified him as a victim of the system.. Mikhail Klimenko was a first-time WAG coach trying to prove himself in a Soviet WAG program that had been defined by celebrity-WAG coaches throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In one of her few interviews about the tragedy, she criticized the Soviet gymnastics program for deceiving the public about the severity of her injury, and for the systems insatiable appetite for gold medals and championships. At the end of the day, thats exactly what can happen and in 1980 unfortunately, it did. It didnt help that a tense political rival existed between Romania and the USSR. Later that year the Soviet Union awarded her the Order of the Badge of Honor in response to her injury. These tactics have an even deeper meaning when two critical details are understood about the gymnast and coach who are engaging in conversation. At 0:10 Mukhina is told she is not trying hard enough and her avoiding the difficult work is a constant theme throughout the Mukhina Tapes.
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