Russian gymnasts off to camp too

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U.S. women’s gymnasts are preparing for a final selection camp on July 17-18 at the Karolyi ranch outside Houston. And, according to International Gymnast magazine, the Russian team also has selected the final group of men and women to attend training camps that will determine the final team by month’s end.

Notable exceptions who didn’t get invites are two-time Olympians Alexei Bondarenko and Yelena Zamolodchikova.

Zamolodchikova, 25, won individual gold medals in vault and floor exercise at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, as well as a team silver in 2000 and a team bronze in Athens in 2004.

Bondarenko, 29, who won a vault silver medal in 2000, was a favorite in Athens. As the first competitor in the event finals, however, he took a bad fall and was in severe pain. Athletes must complete a second vault to qualify for a medal. Bondarenko attempted his second vault, but collapsed at the end. He was carried out of the arena on a stretcher and suffered a back injury.

International Gymnast has published a list of the Russian athletes on the training squad.

-- Diane Pucin