12. Oktober 2004  
Xiantao, Hubai prov./ China  
Artistic Gymnastics

Alexei Nemov: Career hangs on new rules

Alexei Nemov (RUS)

His decision is open yet...
Russian veteran Alexei Nemov told the China Daily that he will decide whether to end his gymnastics career after the sport's new judging rules come out.
The 28-year-old athlete told, that he would discuss with his coach after studying the new code of points, which should have been developed but delayed as gymnastics officials proposed to redraft it.
Nemov is invited to attend an international friendly in the city of Xiantao, located in Chinese Hubei province. The competition also features a throng of Olympians from Russia, Romania and Bulgaria, including retired Russian diva Svetlana Khorkina and Romanian Marian Dragulescu.

Nemov, coach Evgeniy Nikolko

'I haven't decided yet although retirement is on horizon,' he said.
'My coach and me, we have to have a look at the new rule first to see if I was still able to adapt myself to the changes. If I could, then I continue; if not, I might quit.'
At the Olympic high bar final the spectators' boos, at the low mark awarded to Nemov for a spectacular routine, further dented the credibility of the judges.
Nemov refused to comment on the judging issue. 'My job is very simple,' he said, 'I'm a gymnast and what I do is to concentrate on competition. For such complicated things, I could do nothing.'
Although he believe the existing judging system needs change and justice, he had no idea whether the change of judging methods could have effect. 'I don't know. Maybe it will be better. I hope so,' he said.
'I also hope judges could be more objective and honest. Gymnasts should have justified treatment.'
source: china daily