Russia's ever popular Elena Produnova confided to German gymnastics magazine LEON* that she might return to competition: "I haven't really quit yet", she told a journalist during the Stars of the World tournament in Moscow, and asked for the reasons she went on: "I'm just taking a break to heal my injuries. The Olympics really drained me emotionally and physically, I need a rest." But the fiery red head wouldn't rule out pressing on until Athens 2004: "I can't promise anything but I will try!"

Produnova will marry her boyfriend Dima later this year but will remain Produnova: "I won't change my name, I am Produnova, nothing else!" Produnova won silver with the Russian team in Sydney and a bronze on beam but had to withdraw from the AA with a fractured foot. After the Olympics, she toured the US with Russian team mates Alexei Nemov and Svetlana Khorkina, missing the World Cup Final in Glasgow last December. She announced her retirement a few months ago.

masha