Renowned coach Tatiana Tarasova puzzled by strained relationship with former Olympic champion Irina Rodnina

Renowned USSR coach Tatiana Tarasova expressed in an interview with Nadezhda Strelets that she does not understand why they have stopped communicating with three-time Olympic champion Irina Rodnina. Rodnina, along with Alexander Zaitsev, performed under Tarasova’s guidance from 1974 to 1980 and won two Olympic gold medals. In 2021, Rodnina stated that she had «long erased» her former coach from her life. Tarasova said that she does not need Rodnina’s gratitude. «She apparently thinks that everyone should be grateful to her. She is a great athlete, no one takes that away from her. Oh, how I don’t want to talk about Rodnina! I don’t understand why all of a sudden», - the coach said.

According to Tarasova, she has suspicions as to why they stopped communicating, perhaps someone said something to Rodnina. «I never thought that there would come a day when she wouldn’t even say hello. It’s somehow… I don’t want to talk about it», - Tarasova added. The coach’s comments shed light on the strained relationship between her and Rodnina, once a successful athlete under her guidance. The lack of communication between the two former collaborators has left Tarasova puzzled and disappointed, as she had not anticipated such a turn of events.



Tarasova’s remarks highlight the complexities of relationships within the world of sports, where personal dynamics can sometimes overshadow professional achievements. The unresolved tension between Tarasova and Rodnina serves as a reminder that even the most successful partnerships can face challenges and fall apart over time. As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the two will be able to reconcile and move past their differences, or if their relationship will remain strained for the foreseeable future.