After the team competition of the sport gymnasts, where the Russian team took the 6th place, many began to say that there is no team actually. The reason for such saying was rather sharp statement by the gymnast Anton Golotsutskov at the address of one of the leaders in the team, Maxim Devyatovsky. Really, to an onlooker it might seem that after mistakes committed by his team partners Devyatovsky decided not to exert himself too much and to concentrate on performance in the individual competition. The TV picture was another proof of disagreement going on inside the team. One could see that every our gymnast competed on his own, as if no coaches or team mates were around. By the way, it was hard to notice sympathy and support by the coaches in the female team too. Our gymnast girls, if committed mistakes, had to gulp down their sobs in solitude, while American, Chinese and Romanian girls were kissed and hugged no matter what. 

We decided to find out what has been happening to our team with Maxim Devyatovsky himself and with the gymnast team chief coach Andrei Radionenko.

Maxim Devyatovsky, all-round European champion in 2007: 

A: We have performed very poorly. But it’s not only me to have committed mistakes. I don’t understand why everyone addresses to me with a request for comments and with a question “Why has team spoken against you?” Other members of the team have committed mistakes too. My relatives and friends are trying to support me, while the team is not. It’s clear that this is big sport, the Olympic Games, and everyone is nervous. But why do they have to blame one person for this failure?   

Just because my team turned away from me, it was hard for me to compete in the individual championship. It was my personal coach who had to take me to the stage.  

Q: That looks quite strange. How could the team have turned away from the leader?  

A: I do not call myself leader. This is done by the media and fans. When you take on leadership, you must be responsible for that. I tried and did all my best.   

Q: In fact, it’s your friend and contender for Olympic medals Anton Golotsutskov who has been a catalyst of this odd story.   

A: We used to be friends. He just astonished me with his statement. This has not been for the first time that we failed. One may recall the games in Athens. Then many committed mistakes too, but no one blamed one another. And when Devyatovsky committed mistakes, everyone began to speak about that and make statements in the media. I consider it to be a meanness, that was gutless. Now the friendship is out of the question.   

Q: Somehow or other, the Olympiad is going on. Anton Golotsutskov and Sergei Khorohordin continue struggle for medals. Will you be supporting them? 

A: You know, I wish them good! I have no bones to pick with Khorohordin, and he has not blamed me. As for Golotsutskov, he began to consider himself as a hero after two successful apparatus. It is easier doing floor exercise and vault than pommel horse and horizontal bar. Every gymnast knows that. On the first day Anton came to the apparatus and got 12 points. And what if he had to deal with the pommel horse in the team final? There is no such tension during qualifying heat, while in the final you have no right for mistake. Before criticizing others, one should go through all that himself.    

Andrei Radionenko, chief coach of the sports gymnast team:

Q: How can you explain that our gymnast girls were together when grievous about the failure, while the boys began to quarrel and put the blame on Maxim Devyatovsky?  

A: Who told you so? Now I ask you. I hear that from you now for the first time. The guys are staying in the room next to mine. And I do not hear any shouting or quarrelling. I’m really interested to know where you have this information from.  

Q: That has been one of the main topics in the Russian media…   

A: I’m just shocked. Who writes that there is no team spirit in our team? Call them names and never read such media sources. Yes, we have had a discussion of the passed team championship. Yes, we have said that almost every member has done many mistakes. Is it a crime when we discuss our mistakes and make conclusions? 

I dislike it when people of your profession distort the reality. I can say that your conjectures are no true, and those who write about that, they just want to feather their nest. For some reason, the Russian journalists behave rather oddly. I would like some good words spoken at our address and our compatriots supporting us instead of scandals that make one sad.    

Q: So is there team spirit in our male sports gymnast national team? 

A: Why no? Yes, there is, and everyone tried for the benefit of the whole team. Hasn’t there been struggle for the prize-wining places? The guys came together and wished good luck to one another, and worked as one man. Maxim’s hands slipped at vault and this is how he failed. Such a thing may happen to anyone, and Maxim is to be blamed by no means. Our guys are very upset. It’s easy to say something being in an emotional fit. That may be said not to bear ill will. And Maxim and Anton are big friends, I’m sure about that.