01. Februar 2008  
Moscow / Russia  
Rhythmic Gymnastics

Alina Kabaeva says Good Bye for good ...

Kabaeva: Youth commissioner...

Olympic Champion Alina KABAEVA will take leave of active competitive sports, as Irina Viner, Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics head coach, announced to the Russian press. This is supposed to be a final decision after Kabaeva had already announced her withdrawal after her Olympic gold medal in fall 2004 (see News 10.Oktober 2004). According to Viner, Kabaeva's injured knee dating from 2003 had never healed up completely so that she has not been able to accomplish training sessions in 2008 while Russia is already in thje midst of the preparations for the Olympics. 

Former Dream team: Kabaeva, Viner

As GYMmedia reported already, the extraordinary athlete has gotten involved with politics during the last years,
(- see GYMmedia-News August 2005),
for example as vice chairman of the youth board in the Russian parliament, the Duma.

 


Viner is sure that Alina Kabaeva will continue to support Rhythmic Gymnastics in her new role as well.

*... see also News of  January 10th:
>> 'Putin's Babies"