Author: Rick Mc

#london2012

Gymnastics elder statesman Jordan Jovtchev will kick off his record sixth Olympic appearance by carrying the flag for Bulgaria in Friday’s Opening Ceremonies at the Olympic Games in London.

“It will be an honor for me to carry the Bulgarian flag,” Jovtchev said on Wednesday in London.

Jovtchev, 39, will be the first male gymnast to compete in six Olympic Games. …

IG – Jovtchev to Carry Flag in Opening Ceremony

Great call.

An inspiration to every single gymnast in London.

… His 39-year-old body is “falling apart”, his back is “hurting” and his ankles are “killing” him but even if he has to be pushed out in a wheelchair, gymnastics’s elder statesman Iordan Iovtchev is determined to make one final hurrah …

Jason Mortimer on Facebook.

In every women’s Olympic team picture I see, it feels like Mckayla Maroney is staring into my soul.

USA Gymnastics on Facebook:

Six-time Olympian Oksana Chusovitina featured in P&G’s latest Thank you Mom ad!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

#london2012

… Vika, Musty and Anastasia …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

More and more folks online are predicting Larisa Iordache will be the surprise Olympic Champion.

Those fans will be disappointed to hear that she’s been diagnosed with “fasciitis“. A sore heel.

It may be minor. It may be treatable. … But it might also hinder her chances of hitting 4/4 in the AA.

… Romania skipped second training in the practice gym. Let’s hope Larisa is back for Podium training tomorrow. It’s critical to get accustomed to the venue.

#london2012

The defending champion Chinese men have replaced injured Teng Haibin with alternate Guo Weiyang, four days before competition begins at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Teng reportedly suffered pulled muscle in his forearm in Northern Ireland, where the team trained before traveling to London and where the alternates continued training. Teng was prepared to take part in Wednesday’s podium training, but Guo was called to London …

IG – Injury Forces Teng Haibin Out of London

… Teng burst into tears after realizing his Olympic dream was over, Xinhua news agency reported. …

Needless to say, Men’s head coach Huang Yubin is worried.

@kyleshew (Kyle Shewfelt) said that Japan looked the best team after podium training. He never seen China look so “off”.

(via Blossom)

Voula Papachristou (@papaxristoutj):

“With so many Africans in Greece… At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!”

Her APOLOGY:

I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account. I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.

My dream is connected to the Olympic Games and I could not possibly participate if I did not respect their values. Therefore, I could never believe in discrimination between human beings and races.

I would like to apologize to all my friends and fellow athletes, who I may have insulted or shamed, the National Team, as well as the people and companies who support my athletic career. Finally, I would like to apologize to my coach and my family.

Voula Papachristou Expelled From Olympics: Greece Boots Track Star Over Racist Twitter Message

This would have been her first Olympics.

Wow.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Magic.

Weird.

Those girls swing with superb efficiency … yet very few can manage a decent “Hecht” or “Ray” from low to high.

At Chinese Individual Senior Championships 2011 only one competitor I saw of 50 had reasonable amplitude. Yet Gabby Douglas, the same size, flies … like a _______ ________.

Here’s our Olympic Champion, He Kexin, attempting Shaposh.

To be fair, Yao Jinnan has an excellent Stalder Shaposhnikova half. (VIDEO)

Also, Huang Huidan. (VIDEO)

Are any other Chinese gymnasts using Shaposh variations?

(via Blossom)

… Vassiliki Miloussi is preparing for her second Olympics.

“We don’t have the money to pay for medicines, doctors or physiotherapists”, she says.

“We can’t invest in training facilities or afford to train abroad. The federation tries its hardest, but everything is difficult now.” …

BBC – Greek athletes strive for London as Athens legacy fades

That photo was linked by Between the Olympics — Who is going to make it? – Balance Beam.

Just one of a series of posts.

(via Full Twist)