The main criticism online so far is a reduction of team size from 5 in Rio to 4 in Tokyo.
On the other hand, some top teams like USA will most likely have 6 women in Tokyo rather than only 5 in Rio. The additional two could qualify as specialists. UPDATE – Cordelia clarifies that up to two additional could qualify as specialists or in the AA.
Under the new system Iordache (for example) would already have qualified to Olympics based on her top 3 finish at Worlds 2015. That’s an improvement.
World Cups will be improved. And Continental Championships will become much more important. When is the North American Continental Championships, by the way? 🙂 UPDATE – Cordelia believes the PAGU (Pan Am) Championships will be used for all of the Americas.
Specialists may decide to stay longer in the sport. Berki, for example, might continue to 2020.
It looks like the Olympic Test Event will no longer qualify any competitor. It will be strictly a rehearsal for the Organizing Committee.
Overall the new system looks like an improvement to me. Leave a comment if you foresee unintended negative consequences.
One thing everyone can agree upon is that Artistic Gymnastics should have more spots at the Olympics. It’s one of their highlight sports. I doubt that will happen until some of the Summer Olympic sports are moved to the Winter Olympics to better balance the two.
One of the Australian Men’s judges reports that a friend had sunglasses pulled off his head in Rio. The cyclist – realizing they were prescription – tossed them back on his return.
Crime in Rio during the Olympics is a real concern.
On the bright side, there are very few mosquitos near the venue … at least in April.
Marisa and her mother flew to Trinidad from Rio to face the press.
… “I am really proud that T&T will be represented in the Olympics whether it’s myself or Thema. Gymnastics is a growing sport in T&T and the Olympics is the biggest event in sport. For T&T to be represented in the Olympics is just really exciting,” she said.
press conference
On all the negative attention gymnastics has been getting in the media Dick added: “This is tough, it gets in your head. You have to focus on what is important …
She said Williams has supported her. “Yes she supported me in Rio and I supported her after Worlds. I was heartbroken that I would not be the one going to the Olympics but I was so supportive of her because it’s T&T that will be going to the Olympics it’s not myself or Thema it’s T&T. …
Thema flew to Trinidad, as well. She has many supporters who’d like to see her reinstated as the Olympian for T&T. That’s impossible, however. If Marisa is unable to compete for any reason that spot will go to another nation.
The main criticism online so far is a reduction of team size from 5 in Rio to 4 in Tokyo.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 