Until the fall of the Soviet Union the West and the Communists were engaged not only in a heated arms race but a race for Olympic gold. Moscow poured tremendous resources into the effort, attracting some of the country's greatest minds. Vladimir Zaglada provides a look inside some Soviet Union gymnastics “think tanks,” like Moscow's Lenin Institute. One Coach's Journey from East to West also introduces some of the brilliant and colourful figures of gymnastics and examines how the flood of coaching talent into the West has shifted the balance of power and has been somewhat impeded by cultural and language barriers. Hot topics like the relentless increase in difficulty level are discussed and a number of technical issues are covered, complete with illustrations. This book provides a rare look inside the world of Soviet gymnastics at its height and provides information never before published in English.
