Main content

Russia’s gymnastic drama

The head of Russian rhythmic gymnastics has recently fallen from glory.

The head of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation has recently fallen from glory. Irina Viner has been the most powerful person in the sport for nearly 20 years, and has produced multiple world champions. But her reign is finally over, as the Ministry of Sport recently dissolved the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation to create a new gymnastics body in which Irina Viner has no part. Meanwhile, another name in Russian rhythmic gymnastics is back in the spotlight. A previous student of Irina Viner, Alina Kabaeva won the Olympic gold for rhythmic gymnastics in 2004. She is one of the most successful gymnasts in Russia but has always avoided the media gaze. This seems to have changed since creating her own rhythmic gymnastics school, ‘Heavenly Grace’. Alina Kabaeva has long been reported to be the partner of Vladimir Putin and it seems her gymnastics school enjoys a special status. Plus, there's a natural fire in Indonesia that is said to have been burning for over 500 years, and people are hoping to harness its power to help solve the country’s energy crisis. Ayomi Amindoni from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Indonesian has the story.

Presented by Faranak Amidi
Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 10 Mar 2025 03:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 8 Mar 2025 05:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Mar 2025 00:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Mar 2025 01:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Mar 2025 01:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Mar 2025 10:32GMT
  • Sun 9 Mar 2025 22:32GMT
  • Mon 10 Mar 2025 03:32GMT