Yin Alvarez – gymnastics embarassment?
October 18th, 2009 | ethics, Gymnastics, 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
21 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.
I agree with the former Universal gymnast and AM. So many people are uptight and the vast majority of coaches are mean to the kids they train. Who wouldn’t want to live through life with a friend and coach like that by your side. He obviously knows how to coach and he is committed to those young men. So his style is unorthodox … I like that too. When I go to a meet and see him I am so happy that he is there because I know it will make that meet all the more enjoyable.
As far as humility is concerned that isn’t even the issue. This has little to do with humility since humility is simply a correct assessment of who you are and your abilities. Being reserved is a personality issue. Also the crowd in question in the article were a bunch of Brits and he made them smile Pleeeeeeze…when is the last time you saw a Brit get excited about anything? I bet he is a very humble man, secure about himself and comfortable in his own skin…that is what allows him to truly be himself.
I have known Yin Alvarez for almost 20 years. I used to coach men’s gymnastics at a club (Octaviano’s) in Miami when Yin first arrived here from Cuba. For a stretch of time we were fierce rivals. I had a well established boy’s program and he was just beginning his own program after having worked for short periods of time at almost every gym in the area. He was very difficult to work with and stepped on many toes. However, he ultimately prevailed and proved everyone else wrong.
His story is an example of everything that is right about the United States. To understand Yin’s cartoonish displays of exuberance, it is important to understand his long struggle to realize his “American dream”. I know of some of the details because he worked for me for about 6 months and we had many opportunities to talk on our long airplane and car rides commuting to gymnastics competitions.
Yin arrived in this country penniless. Unlike other Cuban immigrants, he had no close family living in the United States. His first job was working as a gas station cashier in a bad part of town. He was once the victim of an attempted robbery at gunpoint. The perpetrator gave up when he realized that Yin would not cooperate because his booth was surrounded by bullet proof glass. He worked at and was pretty much fired from every gym in town. This includes my gym. He was an uncompromising maverick. It took him quite a while to adjust to his new culture in the United States. Undaunted, he eventually opened his own gymnastics school. We all thought he would crash and burn. To the surprise and chagrin of many people, he became successful. He steadily rose through the ranks of USAG eventually achieving his current level of success, recognition, and notoriety. His displays of exuberance and his unusual rituals are genuine and the result of having worked so hard and coming so far from very humble beginnings. His heart is so filled with joy for having achieved his wildest dreams in spite of so much adversity. The average American would have a difficult time understanding that his displays are an out ward manifestation of the joy that Yin feels in his heart. Every time one of his students successfully completes his routine is another stone laid in a path that Yin has poured all his hopes and dreams into making since his 1st day arriving in the U.S. almost 20 years ago.
Over time, Yin and I have reconciled our differences. He can hardly believe his good fortune and takes nothing for granted. Because we are no longer rivals. I am able to make a more objective assessment of who he is and why he behaves the way he does. I have come to the conclusion that his celebratory displays are not an act. He really is that happy.
I am Yin’s wife. I appreciate all yours comments. Thank you Mike and every body else.
Anyone that takes the time to know Yin will understand in 5 minutes that there is no act, no pretense, no phoniness anywhere near him. He is a genuinely caring man and father and coach, that I would be proud to have coach my son. His success has made it more public than when it was just him in Florida and Region 8 meets. But NOTHING has changed, and nothing has been done to in any way demean anyone else.
If the FIG, or anyone else has a problem with his actions, it is their problem not his!
Now that Danell is the World PB Champion, a lot of people are seeing Yin for what he really is, a hell of a coach… and an even better dad!!!
Yin got nothing but praise in Tokyo, so far as I could tell.
Even the “general” sports press had heard about him.
Yin is one of the best at what he does. He deserves to achieve his dreams. His students are lucky to have his guidance.
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