An Olympic gold medal is the only major award missing from Russian volleyball star Lyubov Sokolova’s collection but she has retired from international competition ahead of this summer’s Games, Russian Volleyball Federation general manager Vladislav Fadeev told R-Sport on Saturday.
The attacker will not travel to the Russian team’s Olympic training camp which starts Sunday, and replacements for her have been selected, Fadeev said.
“She has so far decided not to play any more for the Russian national team,” he said, adding that a lack of “mental strength” could have been a contributing factor.
The Russian team management will leave the door open in case Sokolova changes her mind, Fadeev said.
“Lyuba won’t come to the training camp tomorrow. I don’t know if she’ll join up with the team afterwards, but her participation at the Olympic Games is unlikely so far.”
Sokolova’s absence is a crushing blow to Russia’s chances of bettering its silver medal-winning performances of 2000 and 2004, he said.
“She’s always dreamed of winning the Olympics and I think she’s capable of it. Currently, there’s no one better than her in the world, I’m afraid.”
According to Russia outside hitter Ekaterina Gamova, Sokolova’s place in the team could be filled by Evgenia Estes after she deputized at the Tokyo qualifying tournament.
