BIRMINGHAM: Though their two Russian coaches face problems in getting into England, the Malaysian gymnastics team are confident this unexpected setback won't affect their Commonwealth Games chances.
Koi Sie Yan, Ng Joe Ee and Izzah Amzan, who are targeted to win gold at the games, are resigned to having to do without Russians Yulia Ivanova and Lidia Legotina in Birmingham.
Team manager Corine Beh said the issue was raised recently when the Malaysians were training in Mink, Belarus.
"We are prepared (to participate) if the two coaches are not able to join us. But we still hope they will be granted entry by the UK government," said Corine yesterday.
"Actually, we had discussed about the coaches' problem when we were training in Belarus. Mentally, our athletes are ready to compete without their coaches."
Britain has banned Russians from the United Kingdom after Russia invaded Ukraine. This has also led to the exclusion of Russia's top tennis players from this year's Wimbledon.
As a result, Yulia and Lidia, though working in Malaysia, have not been granted visas till press time.
Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the two coaches were affected because of the entry restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom government on Russian citizens.
"The management of the Malaysian contingent has fulfilled all the registration processes as stipulated by the organisers and have even submitted a letter of appeal to the president of the CGF (Commonwealth Sports Federation) to help speed up the approval of their visas.
"However, the response received from the CGF regarding the visa status of the two national gymnastic coaches was that they are also still waiting for the UK Visa and Immigration decision," he said in Birmingham yesterday.
If the Malaysian contingent's appeal is rejected, the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation will fly in coaches Afrita Ariany Nasril and Lim Wen Chean to replace the Russians.
Meanwhile, Corine said the gymnasts' training stint in Belarus was a valuable experience as it gave them the opportunity to compete against the best in the world.
"They entered a competition there, competed against top athletes which is something we've been waiting for. It will help improve their performances."
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Sie Yan brought home three silver and one bronze medal.
Aside from Sie Yan, MGF believe that Izzah and Joe Ee are also capable of winning gold in their respective individual events in the apparatus,
The rhythmic gymnastics team are expected to arrive in Birmingham today from Belarus for their events from Aug 4-6.