Does anyone have statistics on this?
I feel certain we are seeing more severe injuries on Vault landings than on any other apparatus.
Injured at the French International this past weekend, Olympians Janine Berger (Germany) and Kristian Thomas (Great Britain) will be undergoing full diagnoses as soon as possible after they return home, spokespersons from their respective federations told IG on Monday.
Both gymnasts were injured on vault during Saturday’s qualification at the French International, a World Cup event in La Roche-Sur-Yon. …
I’d recommend FIG require a mat more like the one used by Trampoline sports on double-mini.
Leave a comment if you have an opinion.
9 comments ↓
I think the bottom mat should extend all the way out to the edge of the podium.
Also in the JO program i think there should be another 1-2 in foam mat under the runway for compotitions on hard surfaces
What kind of mats do they use in T&T? The FIG mat’s covering look too loose, like your foot could get twisted in the fabric. A regular tight fitted covering on a regular mat wouldn’t cause that.
I don’t think the FIG mats are as bad as they look. The cover generally tightens when you land so there isn’t really much chance of getting your foot caught.
I’d like to see vault landing areas wider too. Many gymnasts step sideways off the landing area.
Wider fer sure.
I also dislike how the mats slide on high bar dismounts. They should be secured.
What vault was Kristian Thomas doing?
Double front, his second vault. … Or possibly Dragalescu.
He was doing a double front. The landing didn’t look bad, either — he overrotated and did a forward roll…and then stayed on the ground…
I ABSOLUTELY agree that the vault mat for landing should be wider and perhaps longer, too. WAY too many gymnasts end up off the mats — they could trip and twist or break something. I also would prefer to see a skill cushion (8″) type mat there on top of the first layer instead of another 4″ mat. I’m not sure if your readers know this, Rick, but at many major competitions, the mats are brand spanking new — and therefore quite stiff.
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