I was wondering when this bad idea would be realized.
An update from Blythe in Paris:
This news comes from the coaches orientation: Sunday’s finals will have a kiss and cry area and the gymnasts must go there to await their scores after performing. After their score is given, they may return to the training gym if they have another event to do.
As far as I know, this World Cup will be the first to implement the kiss and cry, an idea stolen from figure skating that most gymnastics fans don’t like.
The FIG announced the addition of the kiss and cry area for events last year but thankfully did not have one at the World Championships. …
Coaches and gymnasts best rehearse how to react to different scores. Or there’s going to be some awkward moments on international TV.
http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js
UPDATE from Eurofan:
… you do realise this isn’t new? It’s been done in Stuttgart, Cottbus and Maribor for a number of years and nobody was upset about it. …
My reply:
Thanks Eurofan. I didn’t realize that.
Over in North America we are touchy about “freedom”. When the rules force coaches and athletes to do anything new, the reaction is generally negative.
That said, I still think kiss and cry is a bad idea, especially for Men’s gymnastics.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 