1996 Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu and her husband, former-gymnast-turned-surgeon Michael Canales, blog on the hits and misses of the 2009 World Gymnastics Championships, taking place this week in London.
Dominique Moceanu was a wonderful gymnast. But her involvement in gymnastics since has been controversial:
• suing for legal emancipation from her parents
• coming out of retirement in 2005 (after 5yrs)
• competing in 2006
Whenever the media needs someone outspoken, they go to Dominique. Especially to get a negative viewpoint on her former coaches, Marta and Béla Károlyi.
You could call Dominique a loose cannon. Or “flaky”.
Yet, I was very surprised how insightful and interesting I found their commentary on International Gymnast magazine. Check it out at:
From the Stands: Women’s Qualification
Kathy Kelly and Marta Karolyi
Yes, there are shots at the Karolyis.
5 comments ↓
I don’t know that I’d call her flaky. I think she had a really strange childhood due to pushy parents and that gives her a bad reputation. I applaud her for speaking up. Everyone knows that controversy has surrounded the Karolyis for decades concerning their methods of training … why is what she says so controversial?
She’s often quoted in media stories of coaching controversy. Not only the Karolyis. But recall she endorsed the Jennifer Sey book, as well.
I’d say, in fact, she has a bias against elite women’s gymnastics coaches.
Flaky is probably going too far. I concede.
Given that her gymnastics career was mapped out while she was in the womb and her coaches were as single minded as her parents, I’d say she’s done ok.
As a side note, I hated that my USAG membership money went to pay people whose duties are not necessary and questionable. So bash away, girl!
Moceanu is bitter. This has nothing to do with gymnastics and everything to do with her not getting her own way. She is still a spoiled brat and hasn’t changed since her gymnastics days.
Hrmmm, I have a hard time saying she is bitter because she doesn’t sound bitter, nor does she even write that way. Perhaps I am reading the “wrong” articles but she is rather articulate in her feelings without being an outright jerk. What if Kim Z said the same things? You could not say she was bitter. Have not past gymnasts of the Karolyis spoke of actual starvation and abuse? Do they have to be bitter, too? Even Pozar has spoke against Bela … what does he have to be bitter about?
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