evidence: Three generations - Nabiyeva, Melnikova, Simakova. [...] Nabiyeva's spirit in supporting her St Petersburg team, struggling without its three leading gymnasts, turns my soul inside out, as does Mustafina's amazing, determined return - and Melnikova's sense of finding herself in the all around, her joyous, confident tumbling in the floor final just now. Viktoria Gorbatova, a first year senior yet to be tested at the highest level, is an unspoken hero so far, and the emergence of Angelina Simakova is encouraging. They are all, men and women, stronger and deeper than they appeared a year ago, and the coaches, too, seem more diverse, younger, less worried and more focussed on the job. Russia is fighting again.