The Biggest Tragedy in Gymnastics History (Story of Elena Mukhina)

[@thebestgymnastics]

BANNED Gymnastics Skills --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYnKn4ttrameacU

[@ninnahallenberg5235]

The fact that her first thought was "Thank God, i don't need to go to the olympics" is so sad.

[@angelinap.3840]

Reminds me of the way Katelyn Ohashi reacted when she needed to have surgery and her elite career essentially eneded, she was relieved she wouldn't compete because of the abuse she endured

[@debbieschultz9768]

Something she loved to do and then she was grateful she wouldn’t have to go back! 😢😢😢😢

[@jiwoo..22]

Because some idiots don't know how to use there braincells and let her do what SHE WANTS for once instead of forcing her and continuing to do what they want. They honestly should be banned from coaching

[@pookiepookie8669]

She never really had a choice, poor girl! She was never really asked, she was politely being told. Sure it was a train wreck - with a cast on? How the hell does that even make ANY SENSE?

[@dyawr]

What she experienced was full-on abuse.

[@nikorucupcake2499]

The coaches and doctors should like get suspended or something. Not following her wishes and FORCING her to do stuff that it made her end up paralyzed is terrible

[@jamesbagley2937]

@@fruitytuitybeardeddragon3212 the coaches were the ones who wanted her to train with a cast on. With a broken leg. Anyways they’re probably dead now. Or very old.

[@jamesbagley2937]

@@fruitytuitybeardeddragon3212 then that’s your fault.☺️

[@fruitytuitybeardeddragon3212]

Ik

[@MonicaAlvarez-ls6nc]

@@fruitytuitybeardeddragon3212 take care of your body

[@ResilientBRN]

should be greater than just a suspension

[@alaynaarosa183]

She was an inspiration. So so graceful and stunning to watch. She deserved more.

[@kellyanderson7624]

You only need to say so once.

[@iskak.]

@@kellyanderson7624 no no

[@rositagiorgetti7307]

@@iskak. . ..

[@anayarey]

How is training with a broken leg inspiring?

[@3rrlia661]

wtf they abused and forced her to compete with a broken leg and other injuries! This is a savagery not inspiration.

[@111marcie]

They need to make this a movie if they haven't already. She was a very special person.

[@anastasiakorkova9175]

Yes she was, she was SO awesome. My absolute idol, she was a brilliant gymnast, and an awesome person .

[@Tsubahi]

Like that famous skiier who broke her neck. 😐

[@1besieged]

ADD Olga and Nadia too (just to show how beautiful and talented these 3 ladies were ) I like these gymnasts they are more elegant and talented .

[@smittysmeee]

An important point left out was that Elena was orphaned at the age of 5, then her grandmother also died, leaving her to be abused by the state. Life in the Soviet Union was hard. No one was left to stand up for her. We should all be grateful our lives are not that way. RIP, Elena. I hope you are finally free.

[@AlisaBDArgentinaHills]

I truelly hope God rewards this poor brave lady very sad story just horrible beyond horrible

[@lyndypatriot2650]

The move she was practicing she was forced to do over and over. He coach left and she had no spotter. He did not watch her and told her to continue. Even the best gymnast cannot keep doing the same extreme dangerous move over and over for hours. She failed and. was glad her training nightmare was over. Her Coach was fired. She did learn to do as much as she could and became a commentator for Sports. She also married and gave birth to at least one child. Her skill, determination and form she should have had her Team working so she could do her best instead they went against Doctors orders and left her doing one move until they broke her. Wish I could say that would never happen again but we know that that isn't true in any place tyranny exists.

[@brakefluidbrain]

Her grandmother died long after her career was ended and was taking care of her.

[@emmalouie1663]

Wow. How very awful. Poor girl. I guess we could say she was in fact a representative for her country.. one that will abuse innocent people for sake of public appearance of winning something. It's not worth destroying a person over but I guess this should just be viewed as an extension of war and propaganda. How very very awful what they did to her.

[@joanneblack7697]

@@lyndypatriot2650 I'm amazed to hear how much she still accomplished afterward. The people who forced her into this should be ashamed of themselves.

[@lilg3514]

I was not anywhere near her level, but a competitive gymnast. I competed several times with broken bones. My coaches would just wrap me up and tell me to keep going. It took 20 years of yoga for me able to be fully in touch with my body (unlearn how to completely ignore feeling). Gymnastics is a real mind trip. I’m lucky I walked away unscathed.

[@auggie803]

-Competed with broken bones? You girls really are tough. But their is a limit. Wish you'll could just say No,I have a broken bone and will be back when that heals.My mom & dad also support me.

[@Oxygen_isnt_real_96]

Me too, and your exactly right it’s so weird how you can get so used to pushing through stuff like that. My ribs would re-break a lot, and was hard to breath, but after a while I just got used to it.

[@LindaFromSeaAtTull]

​@@Oxygen_isnt_real_96*you're

[@Beachandpool]

🙏🙏🙏

[@marjorjorietillman856]

This shows that every day life is so much bigger than the Olympics! Performing about 1-hour every 4 years is only a small drop in the bucket, compared to the average life expectancy of about 75 years!

[@sajra1958]

her coach ruined her whole life...basically killed her

[@anayarey]

Parents did

[@卄-s5f]

She allowed.

[@carltongirl95]

The coaches AND the country she lived in killed her...the Soviet Union had to be seen as the best...it's the communist way 😡...gone way to soon I can't imagine how much pain this young lady was in 😥 RIP Elena 💜

[@monicacollins8289]

@@anayarey she was an orphan.

[@saidnassr9963]

The Soviet Union ruined their lives***

[@biff5856]

The book "Little girls in pretty boxes" tells Elena's story and that of other young athletes. The pressure they have to perform through injuries.

[@jenniferthomas3202]

For some reason I totally wish someone would have been there for her. That's the sad part. I still love watching her today and will still love it tomorrow. Such an unfair lost. Rest in peace sweet girl

[@rocco...]

Yelena Davydova was there for her til she died. Her only true friend.

[@hpharridan]

@@rocco... good to know

[@siebenschlaefer2815]

In my opinion the coaches shoul've been charged for the accident

[@graceb5779]

Those doctors should’ve also been sued or had they’re licensing suspended or something

[@BuddyLee23]

Political pressures of those days ensured that they would only face censure had they *not* pushed her (and other promising athletes) that hard.

[@nesgoldy233]

It’s russia what do you expect?

[@hpharridan]

she had a rare elegance

[@theadraghici2960]

I’m pretty sure they’re still coaching

[@sheilastockdale6715]

Everyone who complained about Simone Biles choice to stop competing at the Olympics should be required to watch this video. The potential threat to her life was real. Rest in peace Elena.

[@veebee6126]

I totally agree! My mom told me about this incident when I didn’t know where to stand about Simone, and after she told me, I totally stand by Simone’s decision. Nobody should be pushed around to the point of injury in this sport!

[@riase]

I highly doubt Simone was being forced to complete dangerous gymnastic fads of the past. Elena was made to do the Thomas salto. It is no longer practised today.

[@msv-yu9ui]

Except that Biles had no health issues and simply quit because she wasn't performing well and was too arrogant to lose.

[@waterlily85]

@@msv-yu9ui You do realize that mental health is part of health, right?

[@redblade8160]

@@riase You have no idea what you are talking about, in countries like Russia, she would have been coerced in the extreme into doing this dangerous sport against her will, because her mother country (Russia) expect it and the country is more important than her! Did you know that Russian athletes don’t get to keep the medals they have won, it has to be handed over to the state?

[@seaofroses8888]

This seems to be a recurring issue in gymnastics world wide. When a gymnast is sick physically/mentally more often than not she is forced to continue until she gets more injured or quits. I was surprised when Simone Biles announced that she could not finish the competition, but I'm happy she knew her limits. If she has messed up and damaged her body, in no time she would have been cast aside like Elena was. Some many coaches and higher ups don't give a shit about the athlete.

[@mourne4899]

That’s what these losers fail to understand, thank you for saying it. They only see athletes as entertainment

[@zorak950]

Competition at that level is a risk to an athlete's health and safety even when they're in top form- the only thing that makes it acceptable is that they want to be out there, doing what they love. Trying to put someone in a position where they feel forced do it against their wishes and best judgment is disgusting. Nobody should be asked to martyr themselves for the pride and entertainment of others.

[@hpharridan]

@@zorak950 agreed

[@Nikolina-lz3ky]

I have been practicing gymnastics for 5 to 6 years. and it's really hard and I don't understand how people can say that gymnastics is a simple sport

[@toyena8290]

don't compare the time and situation of Elena and Simone, they are so diametrically different!

[@ashleytrueblood2200]

I know what it is like to have coaches like that. I'm 35 now and still suffer every day from shoulder, back pain and the body shaming I endured. The abuse was incredibly common and no one said a damn thing.

[@lavonnealexander6936]

It’s still happening today, not in just gymnastics but other sports too. It’s not worth it risking your life , for those types of injuries.

[@lildebboston455]

I no this post is old but.I hope ur doin better

[@nikkipage6919]

Same here! I'm the same age, have lifelong pain and injuries and an eating disorder to boot. Abuse day in and day out and unfortunately they brainwashed my parents into that drivel too.

[@jacquidicks2466]

Sending hugs xx

[@natalibera67]

I'm so sorry for you and for all the ones who have gone through this hell.

[@irisrubi3023]

And thank God Simone spoke up. Physical or mental health, both can be equally dangerous. Gymnasts make these moves look easy but they're extremely dangerous and if your head ain't in it your body isn't either!

[@whoamomma8050]

This chick was trying an extremely difficult trick that coaches were demanding that is specifically suited for a man's power and height. As it was a man's gymnastic move. it's now banned. Simone on the other hand quit in the finals despite not coming remotely close to being injured. Don't compare the two, that's disrespecting this woman in the video.

[@kannanshrinivasan6984]

@@whoamomma8050 you know biles has 4 moves named after her

[@katherinenguyen5222]

@@whoamomma8050 Ummm… What? Were we watching the same Simone Biles? She was clearly lost in the air. She’s lucky she even landed right-side up. That is what one would consider “close to injury!”

[@rynfiaryn]

@@whoamomma8050 Elena had no choice in the matter because she was living in Soviet Russia. She TRIED to tell them not to make her do it, but they forced her. Simone had the ability to step back when she knew she could be seriously injured because she lives in a free country and has actual rights. You are an idiot.

[@alohaXamanda]

@@whoamomma8050 Sounds like you just needed an excuse to hate a young black woman but okay.

[@whitneydyer328]

That is so horrible how they treated her. Forcing the cast off after the first fracture. Then telling her she could finish training in a cast. That poor young lady. May she Rest In Peace.

[@nikkipage6919]

My coaches made me do the same thing. I had to learn how to tumble one-armed and even learn tumbling moves that didn't require the use of my arms.

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Nikki: forget practicing with injuries. Honor your body - no one can do it for you. Never practice injuried. Your life is more precious than you know. Many athletes before you know this. Why do you think the push for young girls to compete is so great? It's all about power, not you. Keep and honor your personal power 100%. Honor yourself by honoring your body. The body never lies.

[@Iiwii11]

She was probably pressured into saying she blamed no one but herself for the accident. In any case I definitely blame everyone who had a hand in pressuring her. I didn't know about this until recently and what happened to her has really gotten under my skin.

[@ansaksa]

maybe she didn`t have a strength to blame others. + though pressured it was her decision actually do it

[@Iiwii11]

@@ansaksa From what I heard it wasn’t really her decision since she was pressured so much, but who knows.

[@exypetexy8693]

No. It's called trauma. People who get severely injured in life generally blame themselves due to the trauma in their childhood, adversity, etc. She probably lived all the rest of her life blaming herself that she wasn't good enough. But she was abused.

[@Iiwii11]

@@exypetexy8693 Actually no she didn’t blame herself her whole life, and she didn’t even have your “trauma” indoctrination. Imagine that.

[@mpampisal]

Above all, I was impressed by the fact that she did not blame anyone and even tried to joke, saying that her dream came true for rest, lying in bed .... A courageous and bright girl !!!

[@suekelley2109]

She did blame the government and the whole focus on winning, and the doctors. She said she felt her coach was just under the pressure of the Russian “gold medal” machine and their fury at being beaten by Rumania and that she should have protested more for herself. However I’m not sure there was anything more she could have done except flat lying down and refusing to move and that might not even have worked

[@katherinefielder3415]

But tragically sad that no one stepped in and adocated for her to get that rest without paying such a high cost.

[@ioanasilviag]

Very often victims blames themselves. It’s part of the harm they suffer.

[@bellakim9169]

right

[@janinebean4276]

I don’t think it’s courageous to blame yourself for being abused into something, praising abuse victims for blaming themselves isn’t helpful.

[@judithrandall4690]

Even though I don't watch gymnastics in the Olympics, I could see how perfect and beautiful her moves were. The coaches, doctors, parents, and gym where she practiced, should all have been held accountable, both financially and criminally.

[@LynnseyCTheReviewQueen]

Her parents died when she was five. She was raised by her grandmother, but I have no idea if she was alive around the time this happened.

[@svetakhamaganova6302]

@@LynnseyCTheReviewQueen she was alive and strived to help her but the Soviet Union did nothing for Elena and left her alone with her tragedy

[@bcaye]

What country are you talking about? That isn't how Russia works. Give some thought into thinking less in terms of "should be" and more in terms of "how it is". Your life will be less stressful if you lose some of the indignity and choose your battles.

[@jh76103]

​@@bcayeIt wasn't Russia as we know it today; it was the Soviet Union system - in other words, socialism (USSR = Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) a/k/a NO FREEDOM!

[@lisariddle2002]

Those doctors and coaches should be locked up.

[@carolwelsh2399]

That pressure was outright abuse and exploitation of a lovely young woman who should have lived a happy long life. Shame on all who pushed her. RIP sweetheart.

[@annettemalaski1967]

It is still a shame that she was sacrificed for the glory of the Soviet state. I am glad the truth came out and changes were made.

[@stephanielaguerre1509]

I am agréé with you and it is the sacrifice for to fight Nadia comaneci at this Olympics games and it is m'y opinion

[@lloydshaw6534]

Many countries like the U.S. were just as bad. Multiple levels of abuse all in the name of glory for any nation that believes they are superiour to others.

[@anna-vf7bn]

Ahh that’s such a sad story! Thankyou for doing my request! Rest in piece Elena Mukhina 🥰

[@ms.inspiration385]

And this story is the very reason why I'm so proud that Simone spoke up for herself at the Tokyo Olympics & said 'No' to her coaches who said she was fine when clearly she was not. Having the 'Twisties' is very scary & this very outcome could easily have been Simone. This story is a tragedy & very sad.

[@cloverite]

Simone stole a place from another Gymnast, she should have spoken up sooner. It’s not comparable at all.

[@samarafriedman3857]

@@cloverite nothing was stolen. The gymnast who was there as an alternate, shined. She got to have a true Olympic experience.

[@MelanieShaw-uu3xe]

I agree! Simone took a page out of the book! She knew she needed a break & looked after herself! It takes just as much courage and honor to say no, step back and value your life as it does to push on for on a medal. She gets a medal for common sense and reverence for her own health in my book! We already knew her talent she had no need to prove anything. She has my respect!!

[@jixer1956]

@@cloverite Why are haters so convinced that Simone somehow knew what was going to happen to her before she went to Tokyo? She performing just fine until then. Things happen that can't be predicted or anticipated. She couldn't have spoken up sooner about something she had no idea would happen.

[@Jellybeansatdusk]

Her coaches were actually very supportive of her pulling out and when she wanted to train to return to the 2024 Olympics her coaches were the ones saying let’s take it slow and see and not get our hopes too high, just focus on safety when Simone was the one pushing to go back. Obviously she’s capable and she rocked it, but her coaches had her safety as a priority.

[@natahliak7691]

I decided to take my daughter out of a sport that she absolutely loved since she was 3 yrs old. She ended up with sevear knee injury and was in excruciating pain. It broke my heart because she loved it so much but my daughters health comes above all else as far as I'm concerned.

[@lydiaola336]

You did the right thing ❤sorry it hurts ❤

[@dianablackman4528]

Gymnastics is the most dangerous sport of all, it's a miracle there are not more extreme injuries like Mukhina's.

[@lavonnealexander6936]

Your a great 👍 mother for doing that.

[@MessianicMermaid]

I was in gymnastics as a kid, but I was not as good as the other children and they didn't think they were going to advance me to the next level without more training first. My mother knew I had severe anxiety disorder and many self-worth issues, so she pulled me out and placed me in art lessons before they could inform me that I would not be advancing with my class. As a child, I was mad at her for years, but now, I know better. I am now a professional artist. Mama knows best. ♥️

[@grass6740]

TYSM for making the right decision!!! I bet it wasn't an easy one, but it's one that'll save your daughter from even more pain.

[@sutanukaadhya1401]

For us it's an incredibly sad story...for her it was a horrible reality which she had to live with everyday...sends chills down my spine

[@eiosti]

Damn good thing you have a working spine tho

[@jaygoodfella56]

So sad, and so young. They went against her wishes, and knew she wasn't healed, and physically ready to perform. Elena is not to blame, the coaches, and doctors are to blame for her tragedy.

[@ladymargaret6186]

I just googled the trainer and he moved to Italy after the incident. He even outlived elena. So sad 😭😭😭 That s.o.b abused her like that and no justice for her.

[@mybalcony4066]

Let's hope that the guilt and knowledge of him ruining a young girl's life stayed forever.

[@theadraghici2960]

And continued coaching

[@kenkaneki9138]

Thats why there is an afterlife and a day of accountability otherwise nothing makes sense.

[@ladymargaret6186]

@@kenkaneki9138 agreed

[@janewilks3829]

To be fair, this is probably why he moved to Italy. Even the coaches were under merciless pressure during the years of the Cold War. It's creepy that this is what we're seeing with Belarus at the moment.

[@toupetipoi2177]

two words: torture , murder. The coach is in jail ... somewhere??? Oh no,right! he's still coaching girls sorry... my bad

[@margaretz5777]

@Blue Sapphire lol. And that's what i call karma

[@mantianh3339]

toupeti poi blaming the coach is not totally fair. In the former Soviet Union, the coach didn’t have much more control than Elena herself. It was a more systematic issue than any individual evil

[@marvahinspace]

Soon after Mukhina's paralytic injury, Klimenko emigrated to Italy, where he lived with his children until his death from cancer on November 14, 2007, his 65th birthday

[@aldonak.640]

Nice way of putting it. I agree

[@graceb5779]

Mantian H i do agree that the coach isn’t all to blame for this but I will say that they did know she had an unhealed ankle and they had her training for this extremely difficult skill on an injury so I think they have to hold some accountability for her paralysis

[@beckyhill7599]

So sad...I hope she is able to rest easy now. It's a shame her coach wasn't reprimanded, or punished

[@beadedbracelet]

OMG!!!! What a sad story!!!!!

[@luiz4430]

ikr

[@ComplicatedInvisibility]

Thank you for posting because your picture caught my eye and now I am subscribed to your channel and looking forward to watching the bracelet videos. 🙂

[@NikoHL]

I remember Elena's brilliant performances and wondered why she disappeared from the scene. I had no idea what happened to her. Tragic and very shocking to hear.. RIP Elena x

[@christiedriscoll8921]

This is the saddest story. I’m so sorry that her life turned out this way. She was beautiful and talented and graceful. Too bad she was used by the people who were entrusted with training her.

[@godinhogodinho5258]

Rest in Peace beautiful princess. Gymnastics has lost its luster without you.

[@comlicencajashinsama8492]

Up Until this very day I've never heard about her. I started watching some gymnastc moves and ended up here. Now I'm in tears by finding out this horrible story. R.I.P Elena.

[@xenotbbbeats7209]

When I hear stories like this and what really happened to Nadia Comaneci, particularly after the Olympics, I'm glad I grew way too tall over a summer and could not be competitive in the sport. It's insane the way they push these mere children to the point they are relieved to be paralyzed. That is so tragic. The most evil thing in this world is to rob anyone of their childhood.

[@StrawberryNinjaNibbles]

Used to be gymnast. Had a coach one time CUT OFF a girls cast without her or her parents permission (or doctor!) all because the coach thought the injury was healed and it had been on long enough. Coach was NOT even an MD, DO, physical therapist, nothing!

[@disneychic2337]

please tell me the coach got taken care of or into trouble

[@onyxth3ripper]

If Elena was a ghost she'd be haunting young gymnasts all like, "No, don't listen to your trainer, better safe then sorry" and giving other advice and stuff. Rest in peace you inspiration

[@vegheadcat2260]

Makes me happy Simone backed out of the gymnastics this year for the Olympics and followed her gut. Who knows what could have happened to her. Something told her to back out and she did

[@queenielouweekly3160]

I swear I can hear her whenever I do gymnastics, and I attempt a difficult maneuver.

[@phoebe2419]

Omg rest in peace Elena Mukhina . gymnastics angel

[@annieh2900]

There should be a movie for her,,maybe call it Gymnastic angel..❤

[@annetteelliott1494]

If this wasn't child abuse what is? Rip young lady 😢😢

[@heididelarocha5317]

so completely tragic , a life taken way too young

[@debbieschultz9768]

Because if people who didn’t care about her!! Where was her family?

[@heididelarocha5317]

@@debbieschultz9768 her grandmother had taken care of her, her mother had passed away and the father has deserted them long before then.

[@debbieschultz9768]

This story makes me sad and mad. Her life was taken because of greedy ‘coaches’ who would not let her heal properly! Shame on all of them. She was an excellent gymnast. RIP Elena. 🙏❤️🙏❤️

[@bcaye]

Research Soviet era sports culture.

[@Maria-kg1nh]

I never heard of this story before. I'm learning just how dangerous this sport can be just by itself, and even more so if selfish people are pressuring the athletes to do beyond what they should. This is truly sad what happened to Ms. Elena Mukhina. I can only imagine what her life was like afterward for her and her family. I hope ALL gymnasts now have a voice/and use their voice to advocate for their own health and safety. That should ALWAYS come first, not medals, money, pride, ego or anything else. I ran across this story when I was on a recent Simone Biles video about her withdrawing from the Olympic and a person mentioned Ms. Elena Mukhina's name in the comments. God's love and blessings!!!

[@Hila2205]

She was an orphan. That probably contributed to the amount of pressure that her coaches and team could exercise over her. She had no one in her life to tell her that she was precious in and of herself. A vehicle for medals was all she was to the team and the government. Tragic story.

[@michellesmirnova4471]

My father used to be a professional athlete in the Soviet Union at the time. He told me that they pushed a lot of them because they want to “look good for the rest of the world” and, for example, forced most of them to go on steroids. Obviously his experience isn’t that of a gymnast, but I believe there might’ve been a similar attitude among her coaches. Unfortunately it was a time and place where individuals weren’t prioritized. I feel horrible for her and I hope she managed to find happiness before her passing.

[@Beachandpool]

This is SO heartbreaking... Thank you for the video.

[@Ms2cents]

So sad! She looks so graceful and yet so powerful! It’s sad that they didn’t have her best interest at heart and let her heal completely.

[@anniewilkes6011]

RIP Elena😞 her story breaks my heart to this day.

[@slammerjaxlive]

Almost every coach I ever had in sports during school had this mentality. My senior year I broke my ankle and the coach made me get up and practice, saying it was a sprain. I never played football again because of that injury.

[@leylieslava]

oh my gosh I am literally crying she should not have blamed herself for the accident she warned her coaches that she did not want to do it but her coaches made her. I should know what it is like not wanting to do a skill cause I am a gymnast as well and I felt her pain.

[@Living_a_spoonie_life]

Such a horrible life she was handed before, during and after the accident. My heart breaks for her. You could see the pain and sadness in her face. RIP little angel.

[@BoatClutchGod]

I don't even watch gymnastics but this made me cry.. being a basketball player i feel that people go pro or elite in hopes of becoming great and still enjoying the sport. But sometimes, when people around you make u feel that its only about winning, the joy of playing the game is lost. Personally i dont want that to happen to me or to anyone. To become so pressurized in focusing only on winning...thats just sad

[@recentisland1513]

and this is why it is great that Simone Biles took charge and withdrew from the Olympics.. Athletes need to have say in how they are feeling before attempting potentially life threatening moves

[@annab8189]

She is a perfectionist and made an error and it crushed her pride. I am OK with her withdrawing but I am not OK with her reason/s.

[@vcostaval]

@@annab8189 she has made errors before and kept on competing. you dont have to be ok with anything since youre not the one who would get injured if things goes wrong.

[@lyssynene]

@@annab8189 not ok with her reasons??? She had the twisties. She legitimately lost special awareness when doing her vault. Combine loss of spatial awareness with her extremely difficult/dangerous skills and she could end up like elena or even die instantly. It’s no joke. It wasn’t about making an error and “crushing her pride” Shes made tons of errors and kept going (did you even watch the second day of olympic trials??? she had a rough meet and suni’s scores that day were higher than simone’s). It’s not about her pride. It’s about putting her safety and LIFE before a medal.

[@girlishgamer1]

@@lyssynene Exactly and her ADHD medication is banned in Japan so her being off of her pills cold turkey rather than being weaned off of them before the games only added fuel to the fire of danger that Simone could've been put in.

[@annab8189]

@@lyssynene I am entitled to my opinion and what I have observed. I stand by my comment.

[@charlotte_piglover]

Yes! Second! So sad... :( Amazing edit! Love your channel. :)

[@noelsmaison685]

Poor lady! She’s so beautiful and strong. I feel so bad for her. This just shows that health always comes first no matter what! You can’t do anything if your body isn’t supporting you in it, so take care of your health guys.

[@Shdhdjsj]

She is so inspiring to me, the sad part is, my birthdays July 3rd so I will be praying for her every birthday

[@Andrewsmanbag]

I want to know why doctors listened to coaches and removed the cast early, and didn’t use basic medical knowledge and say no. This poor girl was failed by so many. I wish she had someone advocating for her every step of her life

[@asturiasceltic3183]

Pressure from the Russian government to win in the 1980 Olympics. 1980 was a HUGE year, almost like 2000. Also, cold war politics to show the USA who is boss. Also, I think they are very dependent on the Russian government who houses them.

[@niemandnergens]

Because it's ruzzia, no human life worth a dime there.

[@chiomaezeanya9503]

The social media then and now. The pressure to impress. The pressure to keep up the appearance. Rest in peace, Elena. You were graceful.

[@mlk0-0]

My god, this is beyond tragic. I'm appauled...She was so talented, and evil, selfish people ended her mobility and ended her life early. I'm heartbroken

[@YogaBlissDance]

I remember her- htat was the era of Nadia Comeneci- and Elena ALWAYS SEEMED SAD...always.

[@unknown-lf6zx]

And this is why it's okay to say NO. She could have ended up like this and I support her. This poor girl and others. I'm so tired of people attacking simone and others. It's okay to say no

[@michellejollie1933]

YES! People who judge from their sofa's have no clue. The mind must be in line w/the body. Simone runs at about 15 miles an hour. That can easily cause serious damage.

[@alexislennon4973]

And this is why coaches need to LISTEN to us they don't know our body only we do. Its also why if you are hurting you need to tell your coach let them know you are going to take it easy and if a skill hurts tell your coach you are most likely doing something wrong and they can help you fix that, Gymnastics is not for the faint of heart Rest in peace buddy 😔

[@bellakim9169]

YEAH!!!!

[@tykeishecaldcleught6105]

Omg this was heartbreaking 😭😭😭 Shame on her coach and every doctor who didn't listen to her. They should have been held accountable. Rip Elena.

[@lesteubes-r1t]

The cover-up by the Soviet Union and the international gymnastics association, the FIG, was disgusting. At the Moscow Olympics, the head of the FIG (the Russian, Yuri Titov) was asked by reporters why Elena was absent, and if she was injured. He said “Yes, she is injured”, but then told the most terrible lies by saying “Elena injured herself on a move she had invented because she thought it would help her make the Olympic team”(she absolutely did not invent that move, as Titov - a former champion gymnast - knew well). When Titov was then asked “Will she ever compete again?” (by a reporter who had been tipped-off she was paralysed) he said “Elena is at the age at which a gymnast typically retires”. This caused Elena’s fans to write to her en-masse begging her to change her mind and not retire. These letters broke Elena’s heart. After the truth was exposed by smuggled pictures of a quadriplegic Elena in a hospital bed, the Soviet Union and the FIG refused to ever comment on Elena again. That’s international sports associations for you: money first, safety second, athletes last.

[@annettegordon9596]

She was so inspirational, I hadn’t heard of her before you posted this she deserved more than what she got from her coaches. RIP Elena.

[@mohamedsalemelnassoudi4861]

You have a good channel dont stop! 🔥💪🏻 Well be friends

[@Taharat-se4zu]

The coaches should be JAILED for 10 years

[@endless_art]

For what? What he did? Did he kill her? No. Did he want to kill her? No. It's just another day of training an Olympic champion. It's happens everywhere. Russia, China, USA. That is the price of professional sports. It is very dangerous. More than a half of pro athletes ends with injury. That's why judges banned some dangerous elements in sports. It's too dangerous for children. Mukhina became a legend before injury but so many unknown girls injured or died on training in the start of their carrier.

[@Taharat-se4zu]

Yea he did kill her

[@Taharat-se4zu]

@@endless_art HE LITERALLY MADE HER PLAY WITH A FRACTURE AND U CALL THAT NORMAL!!! O I WONDER WHAT IS ABNORMAL FOR U ??!!! AND HE DID KILL HER FOR THE RECORD!!!

[@NotYetEmma]

@@Taharat-se4zu So you're telling me that the coach physically walked up to her and snapped her neck??? No. The coach did not kill her. But he did push her into doing something she didn't want to do, which is wrong, but he didn't kill her.

[@Taharat-se4zu]

@@NotYetEmma So what ur telling me is that making someone play with a fracture is normal?! There supposed to be in hospital then. So unless ur suggesting the coach is mental I have no clue by what u mean he did NOT kill het

[@paulaa-nk2hk]

So sad story 😧

[@katiegeorgeripia]

Wow the amount of pressure bring put on her & pain she must have been in. Absolutely Heartbreaking

[@dianabanks6045]

What a beautiful young gymnast! How incredibly sad!

[@chelsea6523]

I cant even handstand and I'm obsessed with this account.

[@chiramisuki]

i dont regret giving up on gymnastics

[@danijelac3511]

My God!?! What a story!! How sorry I am... Such a beautiful girl!I am so sorry!

[@prishibskoy412]

Лучшая гимнастка всех времён и народов...

[@jamielim5059]

RIP Elena you can be happy now! Nobody can bully you anymore! 🥺🥺🥺

[@chiaraf633]

Rest in peace beautiful soul ❤

[@irenefeltham8984]

Beautiful, wondrous Golden Athlete ~ Always to be Remembered 🌟💗🌹

[@michelletanner6361]

Heartbreaking!! Abuse 200% Imagine the pain of being forced to train with that fractured leg!! Evil!!

[@imogenoneill1017]

Oh wow this is horrendous. Heartbreaking. This poor girl. Her first reaction is tragic too.

[@dariya316]

This is the most tragic sports story I have ever heard of. She did not want to go to the Olympics this much, that she was even partly happy about the accident. Her first thought being: "Thank God I’m not going to the Olympics".

[@angelkitten27]

That coach and those doctors mentally killed this poor girl. She was a beautiful tiny little thing that could have been someone amazing in the future. She was already amazing at her tender age. Those sad pathetic people she called her "coach" and to those pathetic "doctors" ughhh it breaks my heart for her

[@graceb5779]

She was a beautiful girl who could’ve had such a loving, long term future in being a Olympic gymnast but instead her coach and her doctors robbed her of that opportunity, they should all be ashamed of themselves. Elena, the only people that should feel any guilt with what happened to u was the people who were supposed to do what best for YOU but didn’t. Rest easy gorgeous, you will forever be missed.

[@lisamac8503]

They should be "ashamed of themselves" ? How about they should have been arrested for child abuse ? Can you imagine the pain she suffered Ashamed? I think that is a bit understated

[@isabelbarroso3381]

All I can feel for her is sadness. She led a very sad life marked by heartbreak and tragedy. Rest in peace.😢🙏

[@evamarek5205]

My God, my God. Poor, poor little child. What a horrific tragedy. What horrific abuse and torture of a beautiful and talented athlete. Her coaches didn't care one iota about her. They just used her until they couldn’t anymore. They should've been prosecuted for what they did to that child which was murder. Good bless and keep her🙏.

[@janetpatterson7915]

That’s incredibly heartbreaking. That’s why women need to learn to say no like Simone Biles did due to her mental health. She spoke up and said I cannot do this and look at her now🙌 🥉 🥉

[@evadishnica2399]

This makes me so angry. The coaches and doctors need to be held accountable for basically killing her. Even when she was being tortured, she never blamed anyone. RIP

[@leonardowilson7709]

Where the hell were her parents to stop this? Had I been her father, I would’ve confronted her coach and told him until she is fully healed, there will be no training, and it’s her decision if she wants to continue after that

[@leightonsteven7059]

I think I heard or read that they died when she was a child.

[@SMP0328]

This happened in the Soviet Union. The State was her parent.

[@dyawr]

True: *_"Both her parents died when she was five years old.[1] She was raised by her grandmother, Anna Ivanovna."_* But in the Soviet countries, when they scouted you out to be a professional athlete (very young), you would get removed from home and into the training facilities of the Sports Federation. There, you'd live your life supervised under a strict regime of diet and training, only visiting your family from time to time. You were basically under the guardianship of the institution...

[@expandhealthinc.1887]

@@dyawr My God...

[@dyawr]

@@expandhealthinc.1887 Yeap... good times..

[@sorrysoso27]

Elena, you are the best❤️

[@mikehubbard5493]

So sad. Incredible young gymnast she was.

[@sizzledtoast9935]

Only gymnasts know how hard the Thomas salto is and thank god for banning it☺️

[@VegemiteQueen1]

is that the one that ends with a roll?

[@majime9877]

@@VegemiteQueen1 no, it's when you use your back to jump forwards with a backwards flip/ She under rotated it and landed on her chin.

[@dyawr]

@@majime9877 So gruesome, man...

[@plumdutchess]

@@majime9877 My mind doesn't want to seem to process your comment, but thanks for explaning for people who can picture it. I know nothing about gymnastic moves.

[@jenn9711]

It is the one with the forward roll out of a flip with no feet touching down.

[@phalynwilliams4119]

I remember seeing Elena on TV 📺 when I was a child. She was amazing and she deserved better treatment.

[@nicolechen2116]

Twice, she just wanted to rest, and twice the doctors and coaches ignored her.

[@elizabethsalvatore1633]

Wow!! She was really good!!🌟

[@Miavoid.cc241]

It's so sad but rest in peice i can't believe she was training with a broken leg ouch very ouch

[@thelocalmusicscene8082]

Wow. That is so heartbreaking it too her to not be able to move for people to hear her. She deserved better. Was such a amazing gifted gymnast. RIP.

[@Nicole-fb6fr]

This is beyond a tragedy.

[@multidebbie1]

"She blamed nobody for what had happened" She must have had a heart of gold. She knew she shouldnt but what pushed to continue anyways. The poor girl just wanted to heal.

[@sachaflovers9870]

She was a true legend and it's so utterly disgraceful and was actually a criminal act in the manner in the way she was treated with such a major injury.

[@narcisen]

Extrem traurig... alles, was ich in diesem Video gelesen habe! Sie hatte keine Chance ....„Nein“ zu sagen! Ruhe in Frieden Elena Mukhina! 🌹

[@lulub1433]

0:33 says it all. She looks sooo stressed out.

[@antoinettefrancis5036]

She was a beautiful gymnast, her control and poise are amazing, so sad for that era of Soviet people. I hope there have been improvements now.