After discussion and arguments, CBG tests reconciliation with Jade Barbosa

The debate and exchange of accusations inolving Jade Barbosa and the Brazilian Confederation of Gymnastics (CBG) have been left behind. The supervisor of the national team, Georgette Vidor, who worked with the gymnast when she was in Flamengo, observed her training last month and was pleased with what she saw.

"I was following the press and I thought there was a lot of misunderstanding (?) between Jade and the CBG. They did not see that Jade was taking care of her weight, and had a great desire to return. Ricardo Pereira told me that she was training more seriously. I spoke with her to see how things were, and I think that the wrist is better. Jade showed her determination. It was the beginning. She hasn't succeeded yet, but there is a space in the selection. This is important for us. We never considered that she would never return, that she was finished," Georgette said in the interview.

Georgette's visit and the possibility of returning to the Brazilian team has motivated the gymnast. Jade, who considered herself abandoned by the CBG after the discovery of the wrist injury, hopes to compete normally by the end of the year.

"Jade is much more motivated now because Georgette knows that she is doing more things, and she will make an evaluation on whether she can help the selection in some way," Ricardo Pereira said.

Georgette Vidor took over the role of supervisor of selection last year, after the possession of president Luciene Maria Resende. The leader, who was already a coach at Fleming, wanted to promote reconciliation between Jade and the team. Therefore, she makes one demand: for Jade to return, the old arguments must be forgotten.

"We trust in her power and ability. But I do not want a gymnast who comes with controversies, unless it is absolutely critical. Nothing must threaten the team. I was not involved with what happened, I was not here (in this position with the team). I do not want to discuss the past, I think in the future. For me, Jade is a very important piece for the team. If she performs as before, she will be our top gymnast, without doubt."

Dialogue with the athletes is not the only innovation in CBG. If it is up to Georgette, one of the reasons for protests of Jade and other gymnasts will disappear entirely. The leader is against the need for the team to stay constantly in Curitibia, believing it affects the formation of new talents and skilled coaches in the country.

Irina Ilyashenko prefers that they stay in Curitibia all the time. I understand that she does not trust the Brazilian coaches. But they need to learn to work at a high level. Besides, Jade being an excellent gymnast, if she does not want to stay in Curitibia, will I oblige? There are things we need to consider. This is the difference - we have to have the dialogue," Georgette said, emphasizing that despite their differences with Irina Ilyashenko, the Ukranian is not thinking of leaving the post.

The manager wants to see the first results of the of the new policies in 2010, when she hopes they will qualify for the Olympic Games in London. Until then, she promises to work for good relationships between the clubs and the CBG. Relieved after months of disagreements with the organization, Jade is a supporter. "This is the new CBG. I don't know how it will turn out, but I hope that changes happen. Staying in the same place is bad," says the gymnast.

Another novelty for the gymnasts was the arrival of the choreographer André Marcelo Alves de Figueiredo. He is Brazilian, but lives in the USA, and has arrived to help create new floor routines for the team. After working with the gymnasts Khiuani Dias, Ana Claudia Silva, Bruna Leal and Ethiene Franco in Curitiba, he departed for Rio de Janeiro, where he will work with Daniele Hypolito and the reserve Letícia Costa until Friday.

Video of Jade training & short interview (in Portuguese)