A day after the end of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the scandal that occurred on the last day of the competition continues.
Russian Angelina Melnikova became the silver medalist in floor exercise after the judges did not accept her protest on the result in the final.
At the same time, a few minutes later, they approved a similar complaint by her main rival, Mai Murakami, and raised the last mark, which was just enough to change the owner of the gold medal.
When the first emotions because of such a strange outcome of the competition subsided, the world champion in the all-around told in detail how the events developed.
“I have never had a problem with this turn in my life, but at first they didn’t count it in the all-around, and then in the final. We tried to file a protest, but it was not accepted. Of course, it was very upsetting, because at first I was in first place, and then May's assessment was changed. I immediately told the head coach that I need to file a protest, because I know my base, even before the Japanese woman spoke about it. As a result, they ran with this protest, but nothing happened, it remained hanging. I don't know what happened, the coaches went and tried to resolve this issue. I just had to sit and wait. The scoreboard did not even show that my protest had been filed. The situation is very strange. The coaches did not answer, they only said that they had served. We waited for everyone to perform, and in the end it was all over, ”Melnikova told Match TV.
The gymnast also hinted that the redistribution of gold could be due to the fact that Murakami was ending her career.
However, she assured that she personally has no complaints about the Japanese woman.
“Mai and I are on very good terms, I respect her a lot.
Of course, I saw that she was upset when they showed the initial grade, and she was lower than mine.
The question is not for her.
Her side also fought for the assessment, it is normal that they filed a protest and accepted it.
It is a pity that ours was not accepted, ”the Russian woman summed up.
On her Instagram, Melnikova also commented on the controversial episode with an underestimation and lack of protest.
She wrote that in the future it is necessary to defend their positions by herself, not counting on anyone's help.
“I cannot say whether the coaches managed to file a protest or not. I was told that they had time. But no one saw the official filing. I did not see what was happening there, as I had to sit in the cell area. The base I was given 0.3 points less than it should be. The problem is turning with a raised leg. The reason is the leg is below 90 degrees. I haven’t come across such a mistake in all six years of performing. Never. Subjective gymnastics, hello! Okay, they didn't count, so they didn't count. I'm a little upset about other things. Once again I understand that only you will fight for yourself, and until you are, no one will. This is my philosophy, and such a character, I will never give myself offense, ”Melnikova wrote the next day.
At the same time, the head of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation, Vasily Titov, said that they were looking into the organization, however, in his opinion, the results of the tournament were fair.
He stressed that he would like to always win, but the referees reasonably did not credit Angelina with one element.
During the awards ceremony, Murakami could not contain her tears when she received the gold medal won as a result of the revision of the results.
During a conversation with reporters, she said that she was sorry that the competition ended in this way.
“I began to gain strength after the first gold medal at the 2017 World Cup, but after that I could not manage to take another gold.
I also wanted to win the last Olympics.
I am very glad that I managed to become a champion.
I feel sorry for Angelina Melnikova, but in this competition the score decides everything, and I am glad that my points were credited to me, ”Murakami said.
Also, the Japanese woman reacted to Melnikova's message, in which she wished her good luck and called her an incredible gymnast and a very kind person.
Murakami shared a photo together on Instagram and wrote: “You are incredible!
An excellent athlete.
Good luck in the future!
Love you!".
In addition to the ambiguous results in floor exercises, Melnikova was also unhappy with the showing of the entire world championship in artistic gymnastics, which was not broadcast on the territory of Russia.
In an interview with TASS, she admitted that she was shocked by the situation.
“It is very insulting and even humiliating, because Olympic and world champions came to this tournament from our country.
I think that this is just disrespect for our sport, and what kind of popularization of sports in Russia can we talk about if they cannot show the world championship in artistic gymnastics in our country.
This is not some kind of World Cup, especially since everything takes place in the Olympic season.
I was shocked that neither my parents nor my relatives could watch me perform.
It's just awful, ”Melnikova did not hide her emotions.
The lack of broadcasts from the competitions in which the Russian national team won four medals and took fifth place in the overall standings was also surprised in the United States.
American journalist Rebecca Schumann attributed this to sanctions against Russian sports, due to which gymnasts formally represented their federation.
“I am very sorry that the great team - and Gela in particular - are isolated from the Russian media in this Olympic cycle.
Despite the fact that I am a proud fourth generation Russian American, I can only put forward bold guesses as to why this happened.
Perhaps this is a consequence of the fact that right now the national team is formally "suspended" from international competitions as "Russia", and Gelya and her teammates formally represent the ROC or the FSGR and cannot wear the Russian flag on their uniforms, "Schumann quotes InoProSport ...