The interview with gymnast Margarita Mamun, titled "Gymnastics: Coach's Cruelty, Abuse, and Years of Silence", was released on May 28. Mamun talks about her preparation for the 2016 Olympics, where she won gold. Viner, the head of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, expresses her disappointment in Mamun's performance, stating that she had hoped for more success from her favorite student.
Viner accuses Vitya Kravchenko, the blogger who conducted the interview, of promoting American products and suggests that the interview was paid for by the United States. Viner believes that Mamun, who also desires to leave Russia, may have been influenced by this supposed American order. She contrasts Mamun with another gymnast, Kudryavtseva, who was successful in winning championships for four years. Viner expresses her frustration at not being physically present at the Olympics, as she had to communicate with the team through video calls, and implies that Kudryavtseva's coach doubted Viner's loyalty and deliberately deprived her of contact with the gymnast during the Games. Viner believes that Mamun's mistakes and her reaction to them during the Olympics showcased her true character, supporting her claim that the interview was influenced by external factors.
This controversy in the gymnastics community quickly gained attention, with Viner initially posting an angry response to Mamun's interview but later deleting it. The allegations made by Viner suggest a lack of trust and disagreement within the Russian gymnastics community, raising questions about the integrity of the sport and the motivations behind interviews and performances.
