'Are You Going to the Ball?' Soviet gymnastics documentary - Part 2 of 3

Are You Going to the Ball? was made in 1987. It focuses on Elvira Saadi (former Olympic champion) and her gymnasts: Tatiana Groshkova, Tatiana Chernova, Marina Goryunova and Natalia Novozhilova. It also features former champions Ludmilla Tourischeva, Olga Korbut and Tamara Lazakovich; there's an interview with Aleftina Pryakhina as well.
Sorry about the quality... There's a better version available here, but without subtitles.
www.net-film.ru/ru/film-9480
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[@trashywilma]

These girls are super heroes to be dealing with a coach like Elvira. Thank you for these documentaries. I find it fascinating how hard these kids are willing to work for a chance to leave such a bleak world behind.

[@ralucagymnast]

@helenoggle Yes, its Tamara Lazkovich: she was a member of the very successful Soviet 1972 Olympic Champion Team, and also took bronze in the All-Around at the same Olympics.Unfortunately, this accomplished gymnast struggled with alcoholism. As a result, she spent several years in jail, and died aged 38 in Vitebsk in November 1992. Heartbreaking isnt it? :(

[@svetaswan]

This is SO not a Soviet-style propaganda puff piece like one might expect. First, you had the doctor talking frankly about how gymnastics can cripple young bodies. Then you had the teacher pulling no punches about how the gymnasts are coddled in school & don't learn like they should. Then there is Tamara Lazakovich getting all too real about the price of glory.
I guess you can say that this is a very Glasnost documentary. Brought to you by Gorbachev's USSR.

[@helenoggle]

Who is the older blonde x-gymnast that is sitting outside talking about gymnastics, injuries, school? Does Anyone know?