Gymnastics News #21 - Tumbling on to Tokyo

[vesperholly]

Thank goodness she's ok. I loved her Sydney FX performances. It always irked me that the international broadcast never showed her qualifying round FX that scored 9.725 and qualified her for the very competitive FX finals. I bet the Aussie crowd LOVED it.

Her 2000 AA FX was also excellent, scored 9.75 and was broadcast by NBC.

Just watched both and AA is arguably better. Sticks the second tumbling pass cold and doesn't fall out of the triple turn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcwIvF1U5bk

 

[viennese]

Did I read that right - the C1 vertebra? Oh my god. That is beyond serious.

 

[missing]

There is a new article out about abuse of young gymnasts.

At least 368 gymnasts throughout the U.S. have alleged being the victim of some form of sexual abuse over the past 20 years, according to police files and court cases obtained throughout the nine-month investigation. A number of the victims were children, and almost all of them were girls, according to the Indianapolis Star.

 

[Willin]

In another thread, someone suggested that USFS should make their system more like US Gymastics's women's program. Considering that USFS responds to sexual abuse allegations and bans individuals for them (along with having coaches do a yearly CER module about abuse), I'd say that they shouldn't copy US Gymnastics on this.

It's not a secret that there's pedophiles/people who molest children coaching in pretty much every youth sport. That can't be helped until there's an accusation. Because we know these people exist, we should take accusations seriously and investigate them - NOT cover them up.

The reason people should be doing this is to prevent sexual abuse of children/young adults, which has been shown to cause lasting psychological damage to them. If you're a bad enough person/organization to not care about that, you could use the other reason: when (not if) that is discovered, your organization is irreparably harmed. Your membership will drop because parents won't want to get their children involved in a sport with rampant and covered up sexual abuse. The little media coverage you get outside of the Olympics will all be negative. The executives will have their professional image damaged. Your revenue may drop due to some advertisers/sponsors being reluctant to associate themselves with your organization.

 

[VGThuy]

The level of negligence and active silencing by the USAG makes me think some drastic action needs to be taken beyond firing all of the powers that be and having a deep federal investigation. Maybe the IOC and FIG should get involved as well. I know people won't like that, but this is disgusting. This is institutional within the system that perpetuated this mess.

 

[DimaToe]

In an ideal world the FIG wouldn't let USA gym send athletes to sactioned competitions until most of this mess is addressed, but then again I'm sure there are several people within the FIG with current interests/ties to USAG.

 

[BigB08822]

In an ideal world the FIG wouldn't let USA gym send athletes to sactioned competitions until most of this mess is addressed, but then again I'm sure there are several people within the FIG with current interests/ties to USAG.

So your suggestion is to hurt even more young girls by banning them from competing even though they weren't even alive when much of this was going on? His actions only continue to hurt young girls because of this. The ideal action is to hunt down and ban ANYONE who knew and kept quiet or actively covered this up. No more coaching, no more credentials to get into competitions, etc. etc. etc. That may hurt some girls for a while but they will find new coaches.

 

[VGThuy]

It looks like Nassar was arrested on Friday for possession child pornography.

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crim ... /95532728/

People are speculating on another forum about whether this goes deeper in USAG since this seems to be a huge ass problem in this sport.

 

[SHARPIE]

Simone Biles has just been named BBC overseas sports personality of the year.

 

[Lucy25]

NCAA gymnastics season starts this weekend!! I remember feeling so bummed last March thinking it was such a long wait till the next season. I am so excited! My sentimental favorite is LSU, but I will watch them all.

 

[Coco]

I heard a PSA / commercial with Simone today for Mattress Firm. They are soliciting donations of pajamas for foster kids. She mentions the impact of her grandparents adopting her and asks people to support foster kids.

 

[barbk]

Simone and Allie make the SI Swimsuit edition for 2017: http://www.si.com/swim-daily/2017/01/10/simone-biles-aly-raisman-si-swimsuit-2017-houston-festival

 

[Mayra]

These girls are all muscle. Insane!

 

[haribobo]

So who is left competing for USA in 2017? Aly and Simone are taking breaks, possibly Laurie too per her recent Ellen interview although it didn't sound all that defined. No idea if Gabby is done or not. Kocian, Hundley, Skinner, Gowey, Nichols, and I think Dowell are all competing in college now.

That leaves Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear, and I guess Bailie Key although she plans to start college in the fall of 2017, sounds like. Are Chiles, Foberg, O'Keefe, Alexeeva moving up to senior? Will the Worlds team still have 5 members or just 4 now?

 

[rhapsody]

So who is left competing for USA in 2017? Aly and Simone are taking breaks, possibly Laurie too per her recent Ellen interview although it didn't sound all that defined. No idea if Gabby is done or not. Kocian, Hundley, Skinner, Gowey, Nichols, and I think Dowell are all competing in college now.

That leaves Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear, and I guess Bailie Key although she plans to start college in the fall of 2017, sounds like. Are Chiles, Foberg, O'Keefe, Alexeeva moving up to senior? Will the Worlds team still have 5 members or just 4 now?

Post-Olympic Worlds in gymnastics don't have a team event. Each federation can send up to 4 gymnasts to compete on 3 apparatuses in the qualification round.

In 2013, the US sent Biles, Ross, Maroney, and Dowell with the intention of having Biles and Ross do the all-around, Maroney on vault and floor, and Dowell on bars and beam. At the last minute the fed decided to just have Biles, Ross, and Maroney do the all-around in qualification because Dowell did not have a good podium training. McKayla actually qualified in 6th to the all-around which would have been good to be in the first group, but due to the 2 per country rule she was excluded since Biles and Ross finished 1 and 2.

Not sure about this code, but in 2013 the US sent 6 men and could only use 3 men in the qualification round.

 

[Fridge_Break]

Ragan Smith has a nice opportunity to clean up at Nationals and Worlds this year.

Locklear apparently wanted to continue with elite. I know Foburg is committed to Florida, but I'm not sure when she's slated to begin. She might do this year elite until NCAA time rolls around. (Just a guess with no sources to note)

 

[ilovepaydays]

Meanwhile, here's a picture of Simone Biles with Shaquille O'Neal at the Super Bowl. Simone's post on Twitter.

That height difference.......

 

[BaileyCatts]

Meanwhile, here's a picture of Simone Biles with Shaquille O'Neal at the Super Bowl. Simone's post on Twitter.

That height difference.......

Wow. And she's even got heels on!

 

[Buzz]

Better late than never, so congrats to expecting mom Aliya Mustafina! Best of luck to her!

 

[FiveRinger]

Better late than never, so congrats to expecting mom Aliya Mustafina! Best of luck to her!

Wow....I had no idea. Thanks for the update and congrats to her!

 

[love_skate2011]

Rhythmic Gymnastics 2017 season is around the corner

Russian Rhyhtmic Gymnastic test skate:

Aleksandra Soldatova Hoop
The Music: Bells of Moscow and remix ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aa-ejHY4zM

Kudrayvsteva has retired and Mamun is on a break
so I guess Soldatova will be ranked World No.1 this season

 

[haribobo]

To answer some of my questions above, looks like a 4 person team at Worlds this year as an individual event Worlds. Jordan Chiles is moving up, Jazmyn was already senior. O'Keefe and Alexeeva are too young, plus Alexeeva has citizenship problems. Riley McCusker did well in the January camp (along with Perea who is too young for Senior this year). My guesses for the Worlds team at this point - Ragan Smith, Jordan Chiles, Riley McCusker, and Ashton Locklear. I am thinking Riley's spot is the most vulnerable. A lot will depend on Jazmyn Foberg and Norah Flatley's ability to regain their form from 2+ years ago. Both were strong on beam. Morgan Hurd has awesome bars but will need to improve a bit on Floor and Beam scoring. Trinity Thomas (Floor), Emily Schild (Bars), and Christina Desiderio (Floor) could also factor. Chae Campbell and Olivia Troutman score well on vault but not sure what they can do on other events yet.

 

[douglasottawa]

Rhythmic Gymnastics 2017 season is around the corner

Russian Rhyhtmic Gymnastic test skate:

Aleksandra Soldatova Hoop
The Music: Bells of Moscow and remix ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aa-ejHY4zM

Kudrayvsteva has retired and Mamun is on a break
so I guess Soldatova will be ranked World No.1 this season

Oh no that means Kudrayvsteva will end her career with no Olympic Gold. How tragic for such a talented gymnast. So heartbreaking.

 

[douglasottawa]

Better late than never, so congrats to expecting mom Aliya Mustafina! Best of luck to her!

I hope queen Aliya passes down the toughness and resilency to her daughters that have marked her gymnastics career. Bravo queen Aliya, bravo.

 

[douglasottawa]

So who is left competing for USA in 2017? Aly and Simone are taking breaks, possibly Laurie too per her recent Ellen interview although it didn't sound all that defined. No idea if Gabby is done or not. Kocian, Hundley, Skinner, Gowey, Nichols, and I think Dowell are all competing in college now.

That leaves Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear, and I guess Bailie Key although she plans to start college in the fall of 2017, sounds like. Are Chiles, Foberg, O'Keefe, Alexeeva moving up to senior? Will the Worlds team still have 5 members or just 4 now?

I have a strong feeling all of Biles, Raisman, Douglas will mount comebacks in 2019. I think Laurie will next year. I hope the 2020 team is Biles, Raisman, Douglas, Laurie on the main 4 person team.

 

[haribobo]

Gabby? I dunno. Simone, Aly, and Laurie control their own destiny IF they can avoid injuries. But there are a ton of talented juniors moving up this year and next, curious to see how this unfolds...

 

[slipchuk]

Gabby? I dunno. Simone, Aly, and Laurie control their own destiny IF they can avoid injuries. But there are a ton of talented juniors moving up this year and next, curious to see how this unfolds...

IMO the U.S junior crop while good is the last promising post Olympic group since 1997. That is just because since 2001 the US has had such an amazing junior crop in the wings though.

 

[Winnipeg]

Any guesses on the 2020 Olympic Team (ladies)

 

[VGThuy]

IMO the U.S junior crop while good is the last promising post Olympic group since 1997. That is just because since 2001 the US has had such an amazing junior crop in the wings though.

I think it helped that they were really hungry to prove themselves and people were so ready to move on from the mess that was 1997-2000.

 

[slipchuk]

I think it helped that they were really hungry to prove themselves and people were so ready to move on from the mess that was 1997-2000.

What did you think of Vanessa Atler though. I thought she was one of the most talented U.S gymnasts ever and it is sad her career turned out the way she did. Maybe if she competed in a later era she could have been a stellar 3 event gymnast and just dropped bars altogether which was the start of her mental issues.