From an interview with Elena Rotaru in Observatorul de Covasna:
Was your decision (to make a comeback) based on this year´s London Games and on your desire to end your career on a high note?
- It was 100% based on these Olympics. No matter what will happen, nothing will keep me from getting to my second Games. And why not, with God´s help, maybe even win a medal, even if it´s silver or bronze.
Then Catalina laughed and asked me: “Who said I would retire after the Olympics?”
…
What is next for Catalina Ponor, beyond the Olympics?
- There is nothing planned for now. I honestly see myself in the gym in the next 7-8 months.
translated by Romanian Gymnastics Fans on Facebook
At certain points in their journey, every athlete faces moments that make them want to give up. We asked four athletes how they Power Through… in the hopes of making Olympic history in London in 2012.
Congratulations to Rebecca Morrison, Tara Purvis (reserve), Brittany Robertson (North Harbour), Charlotte Sullivan, Millie Williamson, Hanna Malloch, Courtney McGregor, and Waverley Gee (reserve) who have been named as New Zealand Team to the 2012 Pacific Rim competition in Everett, Washington, USA in March.
Five of that team are from Christchurch School of Gymnastics, impressive since their city, gym and lives have been so disrupted by earthquake.
Thanks Kendra.
Update. The Gym Club is the last sport still operating in the damaged QEII Complex. There’s even a chance they’ll eventually lose the building. Click through to learn of the Earthquake Fundraising campaign.
… As a child, he struggled mentally and emotionally, as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability and, at the age of seventeen, started his own non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs. Vujicic presents motivational speeches worldwide, on life with a disability, hope, and finding meaning in life.
She won the 2011 Longines Prize Of Elegance in Tokyo. This is a terrible loss for Team Romania, especially on Bars. And for gymnastics fans everywhere.
Not many in the Press rogue’s gallery was picking Brazil to qualify.
Jade FERNANDES BARBOSA (BRA)
“We are very happy to be here and show how we are capable. It was an old team but we pulled through and made it.”
… I didn’t say it.
… Belgium, competing in subdivision two, could take great satisfaction from their overall result as they improved their score by eight points from Tokyo, where they had qualified in last position for this event. Indeed, for a brief moment, they were even dreaming of more.
In the final rotation of the day with Brazil performing on the Balance Beam, the two teams stood neck and neck and it all came down to the last routine.
After two falls by her teammate Jade Fernandes Barbosa, Daniele Hypolito began her routine knowing it was all or nothing for Brazil. The experienced gymnast, who competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, kept her nerve and scored 13.866, to put her team in fourth position and secure their Olympic spot in London. …
Even if you don’t speak Portuguese, it’s worth watching the TV coverage from Brazil on this accomplishment. Gymnastics is going to be even bigger in Brazil leading up to Olympics 2016. This helps the cause as the Brazilian guys did not qualify.
… So with every eye in the arena on her and the country’s Olympic hopes on her shoulders, Hypolito delivered, nailing her flight series (two back handsprings to a layout landed on two feet) and landing a good double pike dismount. She could not even make it down the steps of the podium before having to sit down and let the emotions out. Her teammates clustered around her, laughing and crying and hugging and celebrating like something great had just been accomplished …
Blythe was one of the few who thought Brazil had a chance to qualify. She also predicted that Canada would get to London mainly because of Vault — and they did deliver 3 DTYs, more than any other nation.
Sport can be thrilling.
And it can be agonizing. The least happy gymnasts in London are the girls from Belgium and the guys from Canada.
Thank-you and congratulations to ALL competitors. This is one tough sport. And you are amazing human beings.
For those coaches, athletes and administrators so dedicated to high performance, we commend you.
photo - GraceClick.ca
Lise Simard from Gymnastics Canada told me she really credits the commitment to this goal from all the coaches and athletes in her program. That goes for every nation.
You truly need to be irrationally dedicated to reach this level.
The agony of defeat. Belgium did an amazing job — yet finish 5th. Brazil did an amazing job — and are booking a return trip to London.
For the sport it’s wonderful PR in the Olympic nation 2016.
And — as I’m sitting with Netherland’s @GymPOWER1 bloggers, the Dutch girls, as well.
They just played David Bowie’s Heroes (video) in the arena. I was struck how appropriate that song is for the BIG GAME:
♪ … just for one day
We can be Heroes, for ever and ever
What d’you say? … ♪
The men were amazingly tough under pressure yesterday. GRB and SPAIN had virtually perfect meets. Whom of these young women can do the same today?
Many are raving about this fascinating interview with her folks, former gymnasts Vera Kolesnikova and Aleksandr Komov:
VK: — She cries because of you journalists!
“Another interview? How many can there be! What do they need from me?!”
After Vika had to speak in front of the president of the country, and she couldn’t do it, she became afraid of public speaking. They asked her to speak at the recent Olympians’ ball dedicated to the Russian Olympic Committee’s 100-year anniversary. You can’t even imagine what she was like the day before!
VK: — injustice! For example, when she takes the heat for someone else. Well, sometimes that happens, they dress everyone down without figuring out whose fault it is.
AK: — Lies. She never lies herself. And she tells the truth even when she knows that will get her in trouble.
Wow. This is a real insight into how the family is dealing with the pressure of being an Olympic favourite.
read more – No lies. Sovetskiy Sport Talks With Viktoria Komova’s parents (English translation)
04.01.2012
