Brazilian Olympic Committee hires Alexandre Alexandrov as coach of Brazil s women s national Gymnastics Team

"I appreciate the opportunity. It is a great honor to participate in this Brazilian project. I hope that, with the joint efforts of COB and CBG (Brazilian Gymnastics Federation) and my experience, we can achieve the goal and win medals at the Olympic Games Rio 2016," said the new coach of Brazil's women's artistic gymnastic National Team.

Alexandre's arrival is part of the joint planning between COB and CBG to improve and develop gymnastics. Alexandrov was hired by the Brazilian Olympic Committee following a recommendation of CBG's women's gymnastics coordinator Georgette Vidor.

The coach will also visit Brazil's major clubs and hold clinics and camps in Brazil and abroad. The Russian will select the best athletes in the Country and work with an elite group in order to achieve unprecedented results in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.

"Alexandrov's arrival is part of COB's strategy in partnership with CBG. The hiring of these foreign professionals is always based on the analysis of the specific needs of each sports. We seek to bring experienced coaches from countries with tradition in sports with growth potential in Brazil," said Jorge Bichara, COB's General Manager of High Performance.

COB and the Brazilian Olympic Federations have invested more and more in hiring foreign coaches. This process has accelerated with the approach of the Olympic Games Rio 2016. Right now, more than three years away from the Games Rio 2016, there are 42 foreign coaches from 23 different sports working with Brazilian teams. In the Olympic cycle for London 2012, the Olympic teams came to rely on 35 foreign coaches.

"Investment in foreign coaches is not a rule. So we also value the quality of Brazilian coaches and invest in their qualification. We have excellent coaches in Brazil and are working to further qualify them. The hiring of these professionals is always based on the analysis of the specific needs of each sports. We seek to bring experienced coaches from countries with tradition in sports that require development in Brazil," added Bichara.

In addition to Alexandrov, the Spanish Jésus Mórlan (canoeing), the Japanese Yuko Fujii (judo), and the artistic gymnastics coaches Margarita Vatkina and Vladimir Vatkin (Belarus) have also been hired by COB and are working with the Brazilian Olympic teams.

Between 1971, when he joined the technical commission of the men's team of the former Soviet Union, and London 2012, Alexandrov contributed to the winning of over 20 Olympic and world medals by athletes of his Country.
In the Olympic Games London 2012 Alexandrov led the women's team of his Country in winning six medals, including the silver in the team event. Also in London, his pupil Aliya Mustafina won the gold in the uneven bars and two other bronze medals. Altogether, Alexandrov counts 15 Olympic medals, including six gold.
* source: Brazilian Olympic Committee