Entries Tagged 'clothing' ↓

A fundraiser of the Men’s Intercollegiate Gymnastics Support Program. $20.

details (PDF)

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One of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Li Ning, was literally on top of the world when he ran through the air to light the Olympic torch in Beijing.

But since that day in 2008, his company has been troubled.

In 2009 Anta Sports replaced Li Ning Co. and Adidas to became the official partner for sportswear for the Chinese Olympics Committee and the Chinese Sports Delegations.

Now this …

… Li’s company had announced on Dec. 17 its product order information for the second season of 2011. Orders for clothes and shoes dropped 7 percent and 8 percent respectively. On Dec. 20, the first trading day after the announcement, the company’s stock price dropped 15.86 percent, the largest plunge in a single day since the company went public in 2004. …

Businesses lose hundreds of millions of dollars in value

China’s ‘Prince of Gymnastics’ Takes Tumble After Beijing Olympics

They’ve denied shutting down 600 outlets, a rumoured panic reaction.

Here’s the strategy in bringing the brand to America to compete head on with Nike and Adidas:

With Li-Ning, a big part of the allure is the performance heritage and the Chinese cultural component. From Li Ning’s epic performances to the glory of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Li-Ning has been the flagship Chinese sports brand. We believe today’s young US consumer thinks more globally than any generation that came before, and – as opposed to assuming US athletes are not interested in the brand’s backstory – we prefer to embrace the “Chineseness” of Li-Ning as a breakthrough selling point.

I dunno. There’s plenty of anti-Chinese sentiment in the USA.

Seems to me that TV commercials like this are not going to work. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via China Smack)

I like Li Ning and the Li Ning brand. But it looks like they will need to downsize drastically to return to profitability.

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For those coaches who feel wrist supports are as much a fashion accessory as a training aid, … confirmation:

American Gymnast – Animal Print Tiger Paws (sale $51.95)

Be sure to watch Jay Thornton’s sizing video before you order.

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You’ve probably heard about the minimalist running shoe trend.

None of those are appropriate for indoor acrobatic training.

But what about this concept – called footstickers – from Nike?

… models are shown for yoga and dance, and how they’d actually stick to your feet isn’t explained, nor is the connection to Nike. …

adventure journal

I’m not convinced this is the Beam footwear of the future, but it’s worth experimenting if and when they are actually manufactured. It would be a cleaner ‘look’ than homemade pads or ShockSox.

(via behance)

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Couch Gymnast is cheering on Facebook.

In Olympic host England, the government is slashing spending.

But some sports in Australia got bumped up in base funding:

Football ($700,000), hockey ($500,000), surfing ($500,000) and basketball ($500,000) …

… And the success of world gymnastics champion Lauren Mitchell, has been reflected in a rise of almost $400,000 in funding with netball also benefiting to the tune of $700,000.

Gymnastics Australia chief executive Catherine Clark said the increased funding would allow a range of participation programs and new initiatives to be rolled out nationally.

“Gymnastics is much more than just the elite end and we have over 500 clubs who are ready to open their doors to increased participation opportunities across our Gymnastics for all program,” Clark said.

“And importantly this will include strategies and resources to engage schools and school-aged participants.” …

Sports benefit from new govt funding

Australia is one of the few nations where the general public approves of their tax dollars being spent on sport.

There’s an interesting post on Couch Gymnast right now – Rotterdam Fashion Police: The Leotards

Brigid compares notes with Blythe, the Gymnastics Examiner; Mez of The Australian Gymnastics Blog; and Spanny Tampson of Big Fake Smile

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Got high praise this time around.

Click through to Full Twist for a run down by nationality.

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Before seeing the new show, now playing in Amsterdam, I knew I’d love it.

At least 20 friends from Cirque told me I would, and they tend to be very critical of their own product.

TOTEM is great. Weird, but great.

Normally I go to see the acrobatics. The more flips and twists, the better.

This show does not have as much acrobatics as usual. But I still loved it. Our group, mostly women’s judges from World Championships, enjoyed a backstage tour.

Themes: evolution, physics, indigenous peoples … Totem has plenty of monkeys. … I assume that’s Darwin juggling flourescent balls in the big plexiglass cone. (Why didn’t I think of that act! I’d be rich.)

The hoop dancer, Nakotah LaRance, is fantastic. He does a traditional act straight up. It’s awesome.

In another act, First Nations peoples are on roller skates! … And it’s intensely sensual. Only Cirque would conceive something like this.

Sometimes the shocking costumes are a distraction. But they really work well in this show.

Not shown there is the best of all, the Crystal Man, a human disco ball. That suit has 4,500 mirrors, costing $15,000. And they have 3 back stage!

The music is wonderful: Bollywood, First Nations drumming, ambient, world beat, didgeridoo, throat singing, even flamenco.

As in all the new shows, the computerized lighting effects are critical. Click PLAY to watch a feature on how they were created.

Robert Lepage created this show, a mad genius. I never attempt to decipher the plot lines of Cirque shows. Better to let it wash over you.

Click PLAY or watch Lepage on YouTube.

Last shout out. Everyone loves one comic character, an oddball Italian tourist. (Or something.) That guy is hilarious, perhaps my favourite Cirque clown yet.

If you get the chance, see it. TOTEM is an astonishingly mature show for one so new. I doubt they’ll tinker with it much. It works.

Disclosure: Cirque du Soleil paid for my ticket. But I rave about their shows even when I’m buying. The disclosure is that I love CdS. I’m a bloody fan boy. You can’t trust my opinion.

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The ladies of Great Britain are getting some love for their classy leos.

Couch Gymnast photo

The guys … not so much.

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Their team jacket.

Photographers are observant. explorerdk from Denmark picked up this at a glance.

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Keishlieta Gymnastique (Mielieta Gonzalez) is updating a post of the top teams, each featuring a photo of the team leotard.

Vasiliki Millousi, Greece

See the rest of the teams.

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Check out the Gym Crew parkour / acrobatic t-shirts and apparel.

Gym Crew is Mubarak Abdullah, Taqiy Abdullah, Kerry Adderly, David Henderson, Jamie Henderson, Cody Trobaugh, Aaron Williams, Robert Williams, and Eddie Crane.

Triple Back Eddie Crane.

They want to make “all aspects of gymnastics” cool.

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Underarmor:

See Lindsey Vonn, Lauren Cheney, Brandon Jennings, Michael Phelps, and Monica Hargrove show what it takes to be the best in the world. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Hardbody)

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Greg Marsden – Wall Photos on Facebook

Do I spoil my girls? You bet I do!

click for larger image

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