Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

aerial cartwheel to back tuck

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

(via theGymter.net)

Gymnastics Greatest Stars on YouTube

I watched this classic hundreds of times back in the day.

1991 video with highlights of the best gymnastics from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (90min)

(via GymCastic)

Marta’s letter to the Senate subcommittee

… My second recommendation is the implementation of USA Gymnastics-assigned chaperones.

Each gymnast should have a chaperone present with them at the national training camps and competitions.

While each gymnast was required to travel with their personal coach to the national training camps, a neutral chaperone, responsible solely for the safety and wellbeing of each gymnast, would help create a safe space for gymnasts to voice concerns outside of their athletic training.

This chaperone should also be required to accompany each gymnast on any medical treatments or sessions, whether formal or informal. A gymnast should never be alone with another adult who is not her parent without her chaperone …

read more – Karolyi letter to Senate

1. This letter was obviously written by lawyers

2. Marta was the last person at Camp who would have wanted chaperones attending

Secrecy and lack of transparency were a big part of the old Romanian system. It’s something Marta continued at her remote Camp.

(via BBS)

Kristle Lowell’s accusations of drug & sexual abuse

Kristle Lowell has been one of the top Trampoline & Tumbling competitors for team USA. She was the 2016 U.S. double mini champion. A 2013 World Champion.

Her accusations against Dr. George Drew, the former coach of the United States Double Mini Trampoline team, are horrifying. Kristle was an adult at the time, not a minor.

Drew retired June 2017. But the investigation into his conduct with Kristle and other athletes is ongoing.

Lauren Rosenberg worked with Kristle in writing up her story.

Former Team USA Trampoline Doctor Accused of Allegedly Drugging and Sexually Abusing Athletes

 

When asked about Lowell’s status, USA Gymnastics released the following statement:

Personnel and member matters are confidential, as well as any actions taken unless they involve a public result, such as suspension or being placed on the list of individuals who are permanently ineligible for membership. We decline to answer your specific questions due to ongoing investigatory matters and related allegations.

Happily Kristle is still training and competing.

https://twitter.com/Kristle__Lowell/status/1003047044620144640

SHAME – Congressional Hearings Edition

If you are trying to keep up with the evolving USAG scandal, be sure to listen to GymCastic episode 307. The first 80 minutes deals with Nassar fallout.

Steve Penny, Rhonda Faehn, and former MSU president Lou Anna Simon appeared in front of the Senate.

1. Penny took the Fifth.

2. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen called for changes in the U.S. Olympic Committee.

3. Gymnasts’ medical records were removed from the Karolyi Ranch.

4. Former USA Gymnastics official’s composure cracked during Senate testimony. (Rhonda Faehn)

5. At least 15 people knew but didn’t immediately report the 2015 allegations of inappropriate conduct against Nassar.

Indy Star – 5 takeaways from the U.S. Senate hearing about Larry Nassar

Despite denials from Kerry Perry, I’m still assuming USA Gymnastics will be forced to declare bankruptcy. They will be sued. Their liability insurers do not want to pay those many millions in damages.

Special Olympics gymnast Frannie Ronan

Comcast is honored to introduce you to Francesca “Frannie” Ronan. Frannie is a delightful, enthusiastic eight-year-old gymnast from Kirkland, Washington and a member of the Seattle Gymnastics Academy. …

Comcast

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

advice for Gymnastics coaches

… as a coach, I strive to have a lighthearted training environment that is serious when needed.

Time for bars? The athlete should think hard about their turn right before they go, as they execute skills, and concentrate to the best of their abilities. Between turns, it’s okay to have a laugh at the chalk bucket, especially if their next turn isn’t coming for a little while.

I also continually stress to my kids quality over quantity — the deal is, we do fewer routines and less conditioning if what they do is executed well. If not, we continue to stay on those skills or continue conditioning until it is done properly.

Not only does this kind of mindset build respect in the athlete-coach relationship, but it also gives the kids some empowerment …

A Letter To Gymnastics Coaches

new charity – sponsor an athlete

For example, Zandri from South Africa.

To see athletes looking for help click over to the Gymnastics, Cheerleading and Dance Foundation page:

gcdfoundation.org

Click the SPONSOR A CHILD link at the top right of the page.

That site is still in development.

At launch kids from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kosovo, India, Egypt, and South Africa are looking for help. There are many in the database already.  In exchange for your sponsorship, the child will write to you (or send videos online) and form a pen-pal relationship. There is only one sponsor per child. It costs $39 $20 / month.

Alan Owen has been working for years putting together this charity.

If you have questions — as you should with any charity — email them.

(via The Couch Gymnast News Page)

Tony Retrosi interview

In the podcast section of iTunes search for Gymnastics Growth Show. Subscribe to have Nick Ruddock’s audiocasts downloaded automatically.