Yelena Zamolodchikova Deserves A Spot On The 2008 Olympic Team

We believe that the great Russian Gymnastics Legend, Yelena Zamolodchikova should be granted a position on the 2008 Russian Olympic Team for Women's Artistic Gymnastics. Yelena has proven over the passed three year that at her age (old by gymnastics standards), she does not peak (become competition ready) until a couple of weeks or even days prior to the meet. It is not fair that Yelena is left off of the Olympic team, in leu of younger athletes who are not even superior to Yelena in talent or by reputation. At the last major international gymnastics competition, the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Yelena proved to be the backbone and strongest leader of the entire Russian team who would have won the Bronze medal, had it not been for a vaulting scandal where a gymnast did not even complete a vault and received a score of "0.0". Last year Zamolodchikova was not ready for competition until a week before the championships. This year, it is likely going to be the same case, and Zamolodchikova would most likely be ready by the time of the Olympic Games; but with the Russian squad being picked too early, it leaves Zamolodchikova without a chance to compete in her third Olympic games. Considering how much this Talented young lady deserves to compete, we believe that Yelena Zamolodchikova needs to be granted a secure spot on the Russian Olympic Team for Women's Artistic Gymnastics.