Khorkina’s been a controversial athlete, no doubt. People love her, or hate her.
But I’ve always had a soft spot for Svetlana, mainly because of the amazing Bars routines she showed over the years. But also because she was such an extreme personality in a sport where so many athletes are boringly humble and respectful. Khorkina is different.
She reminds me of Mohini Bhardwaj, another controversial bad girl of gymnastics. Like most other fans, I’ve always appreciated Mohini.
Her autobiography was published (in Russian) on April 22, 2008. The title of the book is “Somersaults on High Heels”. The book is published by Olma-Press. It is unknown if the book will be published in English …
UPDATE:
She was previously a judge on Dancing with the Stars:
Here’s a look at Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson’s elegant Fox Trot from last night’s Dancing with the Stars performance show. Johnson earned a 27 from the judges for this performance, which puts her in a tie for first place with French actor Gilles Marini and reality star Melissa Rycroft.
Nastia turned down a chance to be on the show this season. Could be the LA Times got this one wrong. Several have commented saying that Nastia was not offered a spot this season.
The best coverage I read on Women’s Gymnastics at the Gymnastics World Cup was on GYMmedia. They note that the level was reduced due to lack of participation of many countries including Russia, Rumania, Ukraine, the United States, France and Italy.
There were a lot of falls for the girls. Seems the new code counting only 8 skills has not yet stabilized routines at the international level.
Kim Bui of Germany performs on floor to place second during the World Cup Gymnastics challenge “Turnier der Meister” in Cottbus, Germany, Sunday, March 22, 2009.
Local star Fabian Hambüchen from Germany started impressively with layout Kovacs, Kolman, Tkatchev and Makelov. But had a scary fall on a pirouetting skill landing off the mat. Sounds like he’s OK.
The Weller spring claims to reduce the impact force.
In Stride – Sports Medicine
By Jordana Bieze Foster
When three gymnasts from three different countries suffered torn Achilles tendons while practicing or competing in floor exercise at the 2003 World Championships in Anaheim, CA, gymnastics experts had to wonder whether the floor itself had contributed to the injuries.
As the International Gymnastics Federation’s scoring code has evolved to reward gymnasts for difficult aerial maneuvers, so has the surface on which floor exercises are performed become less stiff, incorporating spring coils to afford gymnasts more air time in which to twist and turn. But the injuries to American Courtney Kupets, Belarusian Dmitri Kasparovich, and Russian Evgeni Krylov on the world stage in 2003, followed by another Achilles tear suffered by Tabitha Yim at the U.S. Olympic team selection camp the following year, suggest that there is a biomechanical price to be paid for that competitive advantage.
…
“Sadly, we believe that the floor and vault board are major contributors to Achilles tendon and other injuries,” said William A. Sands, PhD, head of sport biomechanics and engineering for the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, CO. “In my view, there is a problem with apparatus design that has its genesis in a lack of understanding of the nature of impact, vibration, and energy return of the apparatus.”
… Sands and his colleagues are working to create a more detailed picture of the athlete/apparatus interaction, using EMG, high-speed video, accelerometers, and Tekscan and Polhemus systems.
“There are a number of subtle nuances that haven’t been addressed and should be,” Sands said. “These include gymnasts’ age, weight, strength, experience, periodization of training, and bone, ligament, and tendon health. This is a very complex problem with a lot of tentacles going in different directions.”
AAI and USAG are hesitating to allow the (fully interchangeable) Weller springs. They feel there’s not enough research yet to be certain they will reduce injury.
But how many more athletes are going to snap Achilles while we wait to find out?
WOGA in Texas has installed Weller springs in all their Floors. They’re not waiting for the science to prove out.
Another step in the confusing system used by the NCAA to determine who earns the right to compete at Championships 2009. The top 2 teams from each meet advance:
West Region – in Seattle, Washington (University of Washington, host)
Teams 1. Utah
2. Auburn
3. Illinois
4. Boise State
5. Washington
6. San Jose State
North Central Region – in Iowa City, Iowa (University of Iowa, host)
Teams 1. Florida
2. UCLA
3. Minnesota
4. Denver
5. Iowa State
6. Iowa
South Central Region – in Fayetteville, Arkansas (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, host)
Teams 1. Stanford
2. Arkansas
3. Michigan
4. Arizona
5. Arizona State
6. Southern Utah
Central Region – in Columbus, Ohio (The Ohio State University, host)
Teams 1. LSU
2. Oregon State
3. Ohio State
4. Kent State
5. Kentucky
6. Michigan State
Northeast Region – in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, host)
Teams 1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma
3. Missouri
4. Central Michigan
5. New Hampshire
6. Maryland
Southeast Region – in Raleigh, North Carolina (North Carolina State University, host)
Teams 1. Georgia
2. Penn State
3. Nebraska
4. West Virginia
5. North Carolina State
6. North Carolina
The teams I’ve bolded are expected to qualify to one of the 12 team positions at Championships. But upsets happen. Nebraska will be fighting hard to finish in the top 2 in the SE Region, for example.
All 6 Regional Championships are held the same day, starting at 6PM local time. If you can attend any of the 6 competitions, do it. They are a blast.
“We are excited to be able to host Michigan, Stanford and the rest of the field,†said Arkansas co-head coach Rene Cook. “Michigan and Stanford are solid programs and we know we will have to hit our routines well to qualify to the National Championships. …
Fresh from training the 2008 Olympic Beam team, Tammy Biggs saw a need to develop an effective set of Balance Beam warm-up drills to improve the weaknesses she saw during the last Olympic Cycle. Tammy’s Balance Beam Complexes is the set of warm-up drills to correct these fundamental weaknesses she designed and is in current use by elite athletes throughout the United States. On this video Tammy clearly explains each drill and what is important in each one. The DVD includes excellent demonstrations by athletes at Cincinnati Gymnastic Academy and is a must have for any program that needs to improve their Balance Beam performances. It is appropriate for gymnasts of all levels.
… Jeffrey Wammes gave the Dutch their second gold of the tournament with his victory on men’s vault Sunday, a day after compatriot Yuri van Gelder won the still rings title. …
Slovenia’s Mitja Petkovsek won gold on parallel bars over French veteran Yann Cucherat, who won the high bar title.
Fresh from training the 2008 Olympic Beam team, Tammy Biggs saw a need to develop an effective set of Balance Beam warm-up drills to improve the weaknesses she saw during the last Olympic Cycle. Tammy’s Balance Beam Complexes is the set of warm-up drills to correct these fundamental weaknesses she designed and is in current use by elite athletes throughout the United States. On this video Tammy clearly explains each drill and what is important in each one. The DVD includes excellent demonstrations by athletes at Cincinnati Gymnastic Academy and is a must have for any program that needs to improve their Balance Beam performances. It is appropriate for gymnasts of all levels.
