Europe 1 with AFP 5:55 p.m., January 24, 2023
The coach of the French men's gymnastics team Vitaly Marinitch, recruited in September 2021, has been laid off due to alcohol-related behavioral problems, we learned from the Federation on Tuesday, confirming information from the team.
The French men's gymnastics team underwent a sudden change of coach on Tuesday.
Recruited to this position in September 2021, the Ukrainian Vitaly Marinitch has indeed just been laid off by the French Gymnastics Federation (FFGym) due to alcohol-related behavioral problems on Monday.
"The president of the Federation asked the ministry to end Vitaly Marinitch's mission," explained National Technical Director Kévinn Rabaud.
"There was inappropriate and unprofessional behavior during an internship which led to his dismissal."
The Federation had to make this decision "given the strong commitments of the Federation on ethical issues, the exemplarity required of the management and the level of responsibility of Vitaly Marinitch", he added.
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Named after the Tokyo Olympics
The former Ukrainian gymnast, world and European multi-medalist, was appointed head of the Blues after the Tokyo Olympics to breathe new life into the men's collective for the 2024 Olympics at home.
"He was the one who carried the project. We had recruited at the level of our ambition and it's really unfortunate. I think he may not have gotten used to the position and old demons have caught up with him" , regretted Kévin Rabaud.
Before the next deadlines, in particular the European Championships in April, the director of the high level Laurent Barbieri takes over in the management of the Blues.