Youth Olympics Dakar: Daniil Smirnov in the All-Around Final on Nov. 10 — Preview

The biggest Russian event of the coming days at the Youth Olympics in Senegal is the individual all-around final in artistic gymnastics. Daniil Smirnov takes the floor on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 14:30 Moscow time (Russian schedule per fontanka.ru). Gymnastics qualifying runs on Nov. 7, and a search turned up no results from it.

Let me be honest about what I don't have: I can't name a favorite, because no standings or rivals' results turned up in open sources. Russia competes here under its own flag and anthem, but the squad is only thirteen athletes, so every medal counts: swimmer Serafima Fokina has already delivered the first gold, and according to Russia 24, the Russians had picked up two silvers by Nov. 4.

My forecast is a cautious one: a place in the final and a fight for a top-ten finish are realistic for Smirnov, and a medal is possible — but only with clean vault and high bar routines and no falls. That is an opinion, not a promise. You can follow the broadcast on olympics.com and on the free Panam Sports Channel.