Viktoria Komova announced this morning on her vk.com site that she will be stepping down from training indefinitely due to continued back pain.

She wrote (translated by Papa Liukin):

Dear friends, fans, and gymnastics lovers. Unfortunately, back pain isn't allowing me to train to my full potential and get ready for competitions. I've made the very difficult decision to stop training and take care of my health. I want to thank everyone for their support! Without your love and warmth, it would've been more difficult to go all the way. Thanks everyone, and see you soon! Love and kisses.

Komova has been a legend not only in Russian gymnastics, but across the globe, for her unique style and executing high-difficulty routines with ease. She shined brightest on bars and beam, where she shows flawless lines while appearing to glide through her routines.

Watch her training bars at 2015 World Championships in Glasgow:



Komova secured gold on bars at 2015 World Championships in a four-way tie that included her teammate Daria Spiridonova, USA’s Madison Kocian, and China’s Fan Yilin. She was part of Russia’s silver medal-winning team in London and paired that with earning silver in the all-around as well. Since the Olympics, she battled injuries and had difficulty returning to her peak form.

Komova's departure from training is surely a loss for the world of gymnastics, but more specifically, for Team Russia as they head into Rio. Komova has been a main leader on the team for years and several other athletes have sustained injuries that will make the Olympics a challenge. Aliya Mustafina is still recovering from battling injuries, which kept her out of Worlds last year, while Ksenia Afanasyeva is undergoing another surgery just months before Rio.

Russia will be laser-focused in their quest for the podium in Rio, but they will be forced to do it all without Queen Komova. We wish her the very best in all of her future endeavors.


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