Sovetsky Sport, May 29, 1985. On the eve of a difficult and busy season in gymnastics, the main tournaments of which will be the European Championships, the world championships, and the Universiade, the sports editorial staff of TASS and ADN conducted interviews with the senior coaches of the men's national teams of the USSR and the GDR Leonid Arkaev and Dieter Hoffmann.
In your opinion, why has such rapid progress in gymnastics been achieved in recent years?
Hoffmann: First of all, it is due to the increasing difficulty of the internal content of the programs. In addition, young gymnasts are increasingly able to make the rapid transition from the junior category to the category of leaders on the world stage. For example, this was the case with Yuri Korolev, who won the 1980 Junior European Championships and a year later became the all-around world champion. The current all-around world champion Dmitry Bilozerchev took the same path.
Arkaev: In my opinion, the rapid progress of gymnastics is achieved, firstly, due to a significant improvement in the material and technical support of this sport - the presence in most countries of excellent gyms with improved equipment, foam pits, and tumbling tracks. All this allows atlhetes to quickly master the most complex elements. Secondly, the long-developed methodology for training new elements and athletes in general is being unified and quickly spread. And the third, perhaps the main, factor in the rapid growth of the gymnastics program is its enormous popularity among people of almost all countries of the world.
In your opinion, will the introduction of new judging rules affect the further development of gymnastics?
Hoffmann: Improving the judging system in our sport has long been necessary. New requirements force gymnasts, on the basis of high technical training, to create increasingly difficult programs so that during competitions they will receive those additional points that are now provided for by the rules as a "reward" to the athlete for the originality of the routine, virtuosity, and precision of execution. Only those who are constantly looking for new products can secure a strong place for themselves in the global gymnastics elite.
Arkaev: Without a doubt, the introduction of new rules will have a positive impact on the performance skills of the gymnasts. The best of the best will continue to move forward through the levels of difficulty. But, in my opinion, there are some shortcomings in the new rules. For example, what I mean is that they sharply limit the possibility of a gymnast's self-expression in floor exercises: the number of running steps during acrobatic movements has now been reduced. But the run-up before the most difficult elements is a strictly individual thing, because it largely depends on the physical characteristics of this or that gymnast. In addition, the table of elements of difficulty groups is not fully thought out, especially for groups C and D. There is no clear differentiation of the most difficult elements yet. This can lead to a template, standardization of optional programs, when athletes begin to select for their routines those elements that, being in the table in groups C and D, are the easiest compared to the others. So this system still needs to be improved.
What qualities do you think a gymnast needs to become a leader?
Hoffmann: Gymnasts who cope with the demands of international competitions must, first of all, have good technical and athletic abilities. On this basis, they must be able to demonstrate the most complex elements while being willing to take risks. Of course, this athlete must be a mature person. He must approach himself with great demands both in training and in competitions, always striving only for the maximum result. No less.
Arkaev: I will answer briefly. A leader must be physically prepared and psychologically stable.
A few words about the newcomers to your team. What new things do you think they will bring to the team, to the gymnasts?
Hoffmann: Many proven gymnasts who have achieved serious success on the international platform have left the ranks of our team: Roland Bruckner, Michael Nikolay, Berndt Jensch, Hubert Brylok. Having a very limited choice, we must quickly, through intensive training and responsible competitions, bring to the proper level the readiness of such capable but still young gymnasts like Sven Tippelt, Jorg Hasse, and Ralf Quast.
Arkaev: Young athletes have joined our team. They are Vladimir Gogoladze, Valentin Mogilny, Sergei Gusev, and Oleg Kapetov. They are 18-19 years old, and there they are distinguished by the desire to constantly search for new elements and improve their skills. Also, young people always bring a good mood and enthusiasm to the team.
What is the average age of your team members? Which of them will represent the USSR and GDR teams at the most significant competitions of the season?
Hoffmann: The average age of the GDR team members is 21 years. In the team championship, we set ourselves a high goal - to once again compete for medals at the world championships. In my opinion, Sylvio Kroll has a chance to win medals in the individual events. This gymnast is distinguished by good technique and expressiveness in the execution of elements. J. Fischer, H. Behrendt, and U. Hoffmann can also take high places if their nerves do not let them down and they are not overwhelmed by emotions.
Arkaev: The average age of the Soviet gymnastics team is 20 years. The youngest one is the all-around world champion Dmitry Bilozerchev. He is 18 years old. I assume that in the main tournaments of the season, besides him Yu. Balabanov, V. Artemov, V. Gogoladze, V. Mogilny, S. Gusev, A. Tumilovich, S. Martsinkiv, A. Pogorelov and others will compete for the team.
What is the balance of power on the international stage before the start of a busy season?
Hoffmann: The skill level at major international competitions is currently determined primarily by gymnasts of the USSR and China. They are the ones who will have to compete for the title of world champions in the team competition. Koji Gushiken from Japan, Gyorgy Guczoghy from Hungary, and gymnasts from Bulgaria, North Korea, and Cuba will have their say in the fight for medals in the individual events.
Arkaev: The leaders of world gymnastics are the gymnasts of the USSR and China. They will sort things out among themselves in the team championship. The GDR team has good chances of winning medals at the world championships. In addition to the representatives of these countries, Gushiken and some athletes from the USA, Hungary, Bulgaria, Cuba, and the DPRK will also participate in the fight for medals in the individual competition.