Arabian Punch Front posted a lengthy interview with the Canadian Olympic Vault finalist now a star with Georgia.
What was it like being in the Olympic village with athletes from all over the world?
It’s kinda cool because I look up to a lot of them because of their accomplishments and where they’re from. It’s jaw-dropping knowing we’re at the same level and it’s anyone’s game really. It motivated me to do even better.
Were there any athletes you were hoping to meet?
The whole American team is pretty cool to meet because there’s so much hype about them but they’re so down to earth. We would have lunch with them in the dining hall and it was really cool to connect with them on another level other than just gymnastics. The coolest person I met was Michael Phelps – he’s a pretty big time athlete so that was pretty cool.
On the unexpected Olympic Team Finals:
… Looking up in the crowd, you just can’t take the smile off your face! I know gymnasts are supposed to be focused and have this poker face but … I just couldn’t hold it in. I was so happy we were there! Once you got in your element, you look around and think, “Oh my God. This is intense!” You see the US over there, Russia over there. “Wow! We actually did this!” …
What was NCAA Nationals like for you considering the history and the reputation that Georgia has?
… It was kind of like a replay of the Olympics. Like, we hadn’t made finals in so long or ever for Canada. It was really cool being a part of that and just knowing that you made the next step into our ultimate goal, winning NCAA Championships. It was nice getting our foot in the door and showed everyone that we’re back on track.
So we’re looking at Worlds 2014 and Rio 2016 is not ruled out?
Oh, Rio is definitely not ruled out! I think Rio is my ultimate goal. If I could help at a World Championships, then I would absolutely love that. If they need me on vault and bars, then I will go for vault and bars.
Who are your role models … ?
In the sport – Nastia, Shawn, and Shayla. I don’t know – the whole American team is unreal and amazing. One fellow Canadian, Kate Richardson, who has the best ever finish for Canada in the all around. She came from my current coach, David Kenwright, and she’s just honestly, one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met and an amazing athlete …
Brittany winning the beam title at SEC Championships with a 9.95. The Rogers at 0:30
The Brazil Trophy, an event which includes competitions for MAG, WAG and Rhythmic Gymnastics, took place this past week-end (24th – 26th of May) in Toledo.
The Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition was dominated by Rebeca Andrade from Regatas do Flamengo. The 2012 Junior South American champion finished the all around competition more than three points ahead of the silver medalist, Lorrane Oliveira from Cegin; Leticia Costa from Flamengo placed third. …
This week our guest is World team medalist, Olympian, 2013 American Cup Champion, former Oklahoma Sooner, and founder of Mesomorphic Clothing, Jake Dalton.
He tells us about: how his female coach, Wanda Fredericks, and skateboarding videos helped him with his air sense, choosing Oklahoma, being a sex symbol, how he proposed to Kayla Nowak, which TV show sparked the idea for his company, what it was like to compete in the Pro Gymnastics Challenge, what new skills he’s working on, training for the specific equipment that will be used at Worlds in Belgium, how he got his toe point, advice for gymnastics parents and the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.
Former Olympic Champion Cheng Fei has left the National Team and returned to her home province of Hubei. She is currently coaching at Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, the place where she used to train. …
Cheng Fei’s transfer come as no surprise to most of her fans. She has expressed how she doesn’t feel at home living the Beijing metropolitan life
Before Cheng Fei, many coaches felt we might never have a Chinese Floor of Vaulting World champion.
The International Federations for karate, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding, wushu, baseball/softball, squash and wrestling all made 30-minute presentations prior to voting in Saint Petersburg.
The IOC Executive Board then selected three sports by secret ballot with baseball/softball, squash and wrestling all being proposed for possible inclusion on the Olympic programme for the 2020 Games. …
Swimming and gymnastics were the big winners Wednesday in a new revenue-sharing ranking of Olympic sports, signaling the start of the debate over how to split the money from the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The IOC executive board promoted the international swimming and gymnastics federations into the top tier along with track and field in a list of five groups comprising the 28 summer Olympic sports.
Previously, the International Association of Athletics Federations was ranked alone in the highest of four groups and received the biggest share of the hundreds of millions of dollars generated from television rights and other deals from each Summer Games. …
Prior to opening Physiotherapy On Wheels, Alan was a three time Olympic gymnast (1988, 1992, and 1996) …
Alan also achieved a silver medal in the all-around at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, was an individual gold medalist in the high bar at the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games, and a member of the 1994 Commonwealth gold medal team. …
His name lives on in the Code of Points (C part)
He dropped by Manjak’s Open House so his kids could have some fun.
In the dispute between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), relating to the sanctions imposed on Uzbek gymnast Luiza Galiulina, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled in support of WADA. As a result, the athlete has been suspended for a period of two years, with the ban effective from August 1, 2012.
The gymnast was tested positive during an anti-doping control carried out during a training session ahead of the Olympic Games on July 25, 2012. The B sample analysis confirmed the presence of the banned substance furosemide. …
via email from FIG
Examiner commentary:
Doping cases in gymnastics are extraordinarily rare, but the ones that do occur usually involve furosemide, which is used to treat hypertension, edema and keep racehorses from bleeding through the nose during races (seriously.) Thailand’s Do Thi Ngan Thuong was banned from the 2008 Olympics after testing positive for furosemide (she said she had taken it as a weight-loss supplement) and Brazil’s Daiane dos Santos tested positive in 2009. Both continued competing internationally following their suspensions.
1. Max Whitlock Great Britain 90.650 British Championships
2. Oleg Verniaiev Ukraine 90.375 Tokyo World Cup
3. Ryohei Kato Japan 90.175 Tokyo World Cup
4. David Belyavskiy Russia 89.799 European Championships
5. Jake Dalton USA 89.398 American Cup
6. Daniel Purvis Great Britain 89.250 Tokyo World Cup
7. Liu Rongbing China 89.134 Chinese Nationals
8. Fabian Gonzalez Spain 88.700 Tokyo World Cup
9. Lin Chaopan China 88.568 Chinese Nationals
10. Deng Shudi China 88.236 Chinese Nationals
The Olympic all-around champion returned to the gym Monday, going through her first practice since the London Games after meeting with coach Liang Chow to discuss her comeback plan.
“She is very excited to be coming back,” Chow told The Associated Press. “She can’t wait any longer.” …
… Douglas will live with her host family, the Partons, until her brother, John, a high school track star, graduates next month and goes to college. Hawkins and her other two daughters may then relocate to Iowa, or Douglas could stay with the Partons and have her family visit. …
