Year: 2011

Grace Chiu tells that Ricky Martin, amongst others, will perform in closing ceremonies at Pan-Am Games in Mexico.

The Games 2015 move to Canada. Ontariariarians haven’t heard much about it.

Respected Canadian sports journalist Scott Russell:

… it’s “game on” for the 17th Pan American Games, to be held in several southern Ontario communities, including Toronto, in the summer of 2015.

Survey says a significant number of folks, particularly Torontonians, aren’t quite sure what the Pan Am Games are or even that their city will soon be the host.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” admits Ian Troop, the CEO of the TO2015 organizing committee. “To build awareness of what the Pan Am Games are and why they’re important and why people should care.”

CBC – Can Toronto be a worthy Pan Am host?

At least they’ve got a worthy logo. 🙂

Having attended major sporting events all over Canada for the past 40yrs, I’m not filled with confidence to see it hosted in Ontario.

I judged Pan-Am Games 1999 in Winnipeg. Loved the event. The smaller city was a terrific host. But like Scott Russell, I have my doubts about Ontario. It’s my least favourite host Province.

2012 Europeans as an action flick …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Promo trailer for the Men’s Gymnastics European Championships 2012 to be hosted in Montpellier (FRA) May 21-27, 2012.

WAG European Championships will be held in Brussels next year, May 9th – 13th.

One more Tokyo video from the excellent FIG video team.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The biggest happy surprise for Team Canada has been the emergence of Mikaela as a real contender for their team to the Olympic test meet in January.

She started as alternate to the team for Worlds, and ended with a silver medal on Floor at Pan-Ams. Very consistent.

Click PLAY or watch her routine from Team on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NDQyNTExNjE3?related=1

Watch more video of Pan American Games Guadalajara 2011: Artistic Gymnastics on gymnastike.org

Double Front:

… This routine immediately reminded me of Soviet Olga Strazheva‘s optional floor routine from the 1989 World Championships. Both athletes used the same music from “Rite of Spring” and both have well-executed avant-garde choreography. …

Mikaela Gerber and Olga Strazheva

See Olga’s routine via the link above.

Or does Mikaela remind you of big sister Aisha? Both sisters started with Elvira Saadi eventually moving to Oakville.

Here’s her zero vault from finals. (results)

Yamilet Peña Abreu VT 1 EF Guadalajara 2011

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’ve seen her do it on to hard mats perhaps 8 times now. (I’m getting slightly less nervous each time.)

… Still, I’d support banning this vault for women and handspring triple front for men. For now.

Leave a comment if you see a video of her prelim “Prudnova” vault, the one that qualified her to Finals.

In his weekly show Rick Mercer Report, Canadian comedian Rick Mercer shared his thoughts on anti-bullying efforts during a rant. The video segment is earning praise on social media.

He points out that 300 young Canadians commit suicide every year. …

The Star

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Outfitted with GYMNOVA.

more photos on Facebook

Shawn Johnson’s silver medal bars routine at the 2011 Pan American Games

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Lauren’s Inner Monoblog)

Gold medal at Pan-Ams.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Not bad. But I don’t see this routine as one of three in the Team Final in London.

Especially since Marta didn’t make the short trip from home to Guadalajara with this team.

Marta is counting on the “flying squirrel” … and is looking for 2 more routines at Gabby’s level or better.

Nastia has a good chance to claim one of those 2 additional spots. It’s a lot of work. I wish her luck.

Anna Li too, could again get a Bars specialist spot. But it’s going to be much more difficult in London with the smaller team size. Even Beth Tweddle has two apparatus.

by site editor Rick McCharles

After Worlds I’ve been traveling Japan using an all-you-can-ride Rail Pass.

I’ve visited 3 clubs, so far:

• Tsukahara Gymnastics Center, Tokyo
• Namba Gymnastics Club, Osaka
• Tommy International School and Tomioka Sports Club, Osaka

I’d love to visit more as I learn something new at each facility. Email me if you know of more gyms in Japan where I can observe or volunteer guest coach over the next week.

One of my former coaches Shiro Tanaka pointed out that Japanese recreational kids have far better discipline (and more line-ups) than kids suffer in Canada.