Yin Alvarez – gymnastics embarassment?
October 18th, 2009 | Gymnastics, ethics, judging
by site editor Rick McCharles
I wrote this post during the preliminary competitition. But resisted posting it until after the Final:
=== The talented 17yr-old Danell qualified to Horizontal Bar Finals at World’s. Congratulations.
But will his Dad cause an incident on international TV?
Danell Leyva is coached by his father, Yin Alvarez (pictured) whose reactions to well-performed routines (heck, sometimes even so-so routines!) are well known in the USA, but they’ve now hit the Worlds stage. He almost sent nearby gymnasts scattering at the end of Levya’s routine, throwing his famous fist punches in the air and side skipping the entire length of the men’s high bar to greet Levya after a job well done. The drama wasn’t missed on the observant British crowd, and injected some genuine smiles into what was a long day. Imagine the reaction if Levya wins a medal in Sunday’s apparatus finals! …
Inside Gymnastics
Personally I feel Yin’s antics are unsportsmanlike.
Leave a comment if you disagree.
=== Happily, in Finals it seems Yin only amused the international audience.
On Universal they merely commented on how excited the coaches can get.
Danell Leyva is a great talent. His consistency at this young age is really impressive. Congratulations to Danell and his coach.
Danell Leyva
15 comments ↓
I think he’s a little over the top. But then again, it’s also kind of fun to watch him. If I saw him greeting other gymnasts after their routines with half that enthusiasm, it would definitely seem much less unsportsman-like.
I’ve heard of his antics. Are there any videos around?
It doesn’t seem genuine. Its the same after so, so routines vs. really good routines. I’d like to see him dial it back to a more respectable level and then if his son wins a championship or even a medal — go nuts and God bless him.
I appreciate genuine excitement when it is well placed. I moreso appreciate a little trait called humility.
Danell has it. Yin does not.
Good point. Danell is amazingly mature for his age and experience. He’s going to go far.
Perhaps he could even be good for our sport. Remember John McEnroe.
I am from the same region as Coach Yin. Every meet, Every gymnast, every routine he responds the same. I tihnk he is helping his kids to build confidence in their performances. I am sure that in his gym his responses are a little more accurate with their routines.
I remember him from J.O.’s when I was competing. He has always been like this. As a coach, I find it amazing the he can still be so enthusiastic with his athlete’s and so moved by every routine. I envy that ability. As an outsider, I find it amusing. Why is it so bad that a coach in our sport gets excited? If nothing else is is different than straight faced handshakes. I certainly don’t blame the man for putting his feelings on a stage. Seems to be a good quality in coaching and in life. Not to mention that his methods have obviously had success.
I think he’s great. We need more people to be excited about men’s gymnastics. Right now in the US…men’s gymnastics is definitely NOT on the rise.
I agree with Justin and I think it’s great. That kind of enthusiasm draws in the crowd and gets people excited. We need more of this in men’s gymnastics. I’ve gotten to know Yin fairly well and he’s not acting; he’s just a very passionate coach. Even when I saw him coaching his level 9’s at a meet he had the same reaction for his little guys as he does for Danell. I also had the opportunity to film a workout in his gym earlier this year, and he definitely saves the enthusiasm for the competition. He was pretty mellow at practice, watching attentively and giving thoughtful corrections. They work very hard there and you can tell that his guys really respect him. If he wants to show his excitement when they get through a routine safely and cleanly in a meet then thats great! I know I’ve always enjoyed it
Alright, Anne.
I’ll quit complaining about Yin.
But it’s surprising that someone in FIG didn’t send a note to the U.S. delegation cautioning him. It’s the kind of thing people in the FIG are oft to do.
If the coach is drawing more attention than the athlete, there’s something wrong. The sport should be about the athlete, not the coach.
Yin’s personality of always gleefully popping bubbles shows even when he walks down the sidewalk. Saw him in FL. at the lower level meets…. no different. Saw him walking and talking with friends down the halls of the hotel at National Congress… same fellow….. though dialed down in the hall of course, but you can see the energy and genuineness there.
Hey coaches and spectators, I’ve been under Yin’s coaching, and his ‘antics’ are something that’s a part of his personality. Around the gym he is otherwise calm and humorous. Besides it’s only because of society’s standards that you all are making a big fuss about this. Is he NOT allowed to get excited? Is he NOT allowed to express his degree of enthusiasm in HIS OWN WAY? Just because the rest of us are bent on following society to act dignified and humble or at least be restricted by how excited we get, DOES NOT MEAN that he can’t do otherwise.
Act human, you only got one life, sheesh. I love him for who he is, and he is not trying to hog the spotlight from Danell. Idiots. By the way ‘Coach’ Tom and ‘Coach’ Rick, Danell isn’t all serious and business-like, he has a human personality and a GREAT knack of cracking everyone up.
Thanks FUG.
I believe in freedom. He should be free to be.
… On the other hand, I’ve been at meets where he has been a distraction to other gymnasts, coaches and officials.
Once you are “used” to Coach, it’s easy to see where you are coming from. But my first impression of Yin was not positive. … I’ll try to be more open minded.
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