Yesterday, the media reported that two members of the Russian national team, the head coach Andrei Rodionenko and a MAG gymnast, Sergei Naidin, tested positive for COVID-19 and, as a results, the ongoing national team training camp has been canceled. Rodionenko reportedly was put into self-isolation at home. 18-year-old Naidin is from Barnaul, a city in Siberia over 3000 kilometers away from Moscow, so he had no place to quarantine and was hospitalized. Both reported having no symptoms.

Valentina Rodionenko told the media today that her husband had another test and this time it came back negative:

“Andrei Fyodorovich is feeling fine. Another test for the coronavirus was done yesterday and the diagnosis was not confirmed, the result was negative. When people feel fine and don’t have fever, runny nose, or weakness… We said right away that it was clearly a mistake and it was necessary to re-check. No, it was announced to the whole world and our phone was on fire yesterday. We did the first test on March 30th, and we did the second test yesterday, and the result was negative. We’re prepared to do a third test as well.”

While Rodionenko’s concerns are understandable, it is important to point out that some carriers of COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms yet they still might be contagious. The test can indeed give a false positive result but false negatives also occur, that is why people who are suspected to be carriers are often tested several times.

Valentina Rodionenko also talked about the cancellation of the training camp and her biggest concern during this trying time – the weight of the WAG gymnasts:

“We will stay home, the quarantine is until April 15th. The most important thing is for the girls not to gain weight, that is the main problem. Everyone got home assignments, even back when it was not clear regarding the training center. We’ll get through it. The harder it is, the stronger we get.”

As Irina Viner had some strong words about artistic gymnasts potentially bringing the virus to the training center, it is unlikely that the artistic gymnasts will go back to it. Rodionenko said she hopes they’ll be able to go back to Round Lake after the team’s quarantine is over:

“Returning to Novogorsk is out of the question now. We hope to go back to our native Round Lake after the quarantine, if they’ll allow us, if they’ll open the training center. It will depend on our management. Swimmers and fencers are in the same boat.”

Support Gymnovosti on Patreon from only $1 a month and help us bring to you even more awesome gymnastics coverage!

Buy cool gymnastics-themed t-shirts, hoodies, pillows, phone cases, and more at our store on Teepublic!