Author: Rick Mc

And the response was the wrong one. 😦

@theworldgymnast Because we don't bury our heads in the sand on news just because the subject is uncomfortable.

— Joe Battaglia (@JoeBattaglia75) September 1, 2014

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If you missed the twitter gymternet blowing up last night, MANY are very upset with Gymnastike for this post, reprinted by Bekah so as not to give Gymnastike any additional page views:

McKayla Maroney Victim of Nude Photo Leak

Bekah is as angry as anyone. Here’s her take on the issue, so far.

Joe Battaglia is an ass, that’s clear.

The leadership at Gymnastike should show him the door.

Don’t blame everyone at Gymnastike for the one A-hole. That would be unethical.

the fake photos of me are crazy!! was trying to rise above it all, and not give "the creator" the time of day.. BUT.. pic.twitter.com/hceQcOxYkJ

— McKayla Maroney (@McKaylaMaroney) September 1, 2014

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Update. @Region5Insider clarifies that nobody at Gymnastike can override Joe Battaglia. He’s a non-gymnastics overlord from Flocasts responsible for Wrestling, Track and Gymnastics.

Track & Field blogger Chris Chavez @Chris_J_Chavez seems to have actually authored that post. It was then published by Battaglia.

Perhaps Gymnastike should quit Flocasts.

Otherwise, we need people to step up and launch a Gymnastike competitor. Something like sports2visuals.com THWTS.

I’d be happy to contribute.

This site condemns Joe Battaglia’s decision but will not boycott Gymnastike posts by those we respect. For now.

The fantastic FIG media team put together a beautiful slide show. China certainly can host a wonderful Games. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Lauren Hopkins posted the best wrap-up of prelims at Pan Ams. In addition to the winning teams, read about Cuba’s Yesenia Ferrera, Yami Peña from Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago’s highlights and more …

2014 PAN AM QUALIFICATIONS

USA Wins Women’s Team Gold At Senior Pan American Championships

related – the FIG report includes both WAG and MAG – U.S. gymnasts, Jossimar Calvo take titles at Pan American Championships in Canada

Donnell Whittenburg.

Young. Strong. Improving.

He’ll be a mainstay on the American Team for years to come.

Click PLAY or watch his Floor on YouTube.

He’s only going to get stronger on Rings. Much stronger.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Pan Ams
1. Daniel Corral 15.250 (MEX)
2. Marvin Kimble (USA) 14.775
3. Alexander Rodriguez (PUR) 14.725

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/MzE1NzUwODcx?related=1&autoplay=false

Watch more videos on Gymnastike

You may be able to see another image like this here.

That was quick.

I’m assuming they had a plan in advance. Ernesto would be a terrific training partner for Danell. Just sayin’.

… Ernesto Vilas Sarria met up with Danell Leyva after defecting de los Panamerican gymnastics Championships in Toronto Canada hace 3 dias ago. Here they are having lunch juntos at Reys Pizza in Miami.

Ernesto was the gold medalist on floor at the 2010 youth Olympic games …

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via Nico on GymFever2012

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NzU3NzUwODU0?related=1&autoplay=false

Watch more videos on Gymnastike

Maddie has BIG goals on Bars too. No doubt she’s training upgrades. 🙂

Ashton Locklear won gold with this gorgeous routine. She was originally awarded a 6.1 difficulty score but after an inquiry, it was raised to a 6.4. Her final score was a 14.975.

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NzQyNzUwODUz?related=1&autoplay=false

Watch more videos on Gymnastike

Ashton’s been astonishingly consistent. Her ticket to Worlds is pretty much a lock at this point.

She’s improving, as well.

Recall her 9.1 over-scored execution routine from the Secret? (VIDEO)

Today’s Final is far cleaner, though she still has conspicuous deductions.

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Let’s assume there are 2 Chinese gymnasts and 2 Russian gymnasts in the World’s Bar final.

Four spots are left open?

Will Ashton get one of those?

It’s certainly possible. There will be quite a few gymnasts with the goal to qualify for the Bar final in Nanning. The top 2 American routines will be in the fight.

But … sooner or later judges are going to stop rewarding routines composed mostly of Shaposh variations and Stoop Stalders. Truly harder routines will be scored higher, IF the gymnasts hits. Two somersault releases or more. Rebecca Downie (VIDEO), for example.

Gymnasts who use a wide variety of types of skills to achieve their start score should be rewarded. Nastia in Beijing, for example.

FIG WTC should count only 1 Shaposh variation in the next Code. Perhaps devalue the Stoop Stalder, as did MAG years ago.

Jason MacDonald had an important comment:

As she keeps performing the way she is and gaining that confidence in her routine I think she could be a major player on bars at worlds. In terms of difficulty she has skills she is not using and this routine probably will be different come 2015. Check out her Ricna at 3:38 of Everest’s Workout Wednesday.

Jason tells that Ashton trains plenty of routines with the 2nd release. I’m hoping she’ll use that when she needs it. Possibly in the Worlds Bar Final. 🙂

With her improved Bars, you have to count Larisa a favourite for the AA podium at Worlds.

Click PLAY or watch her FX on YouTube.

(via GymFever2012)