Author: Rick Mc

I find it strange that some of the very best gymnasts in the world are attending major international invitational meets, … instead of F.I.G. World Cup Events.

Why is that?

For example: Komova, Ferrari, Murakami, Raisman and many, many more will be competing in Jesolo, Italy.

Jiang Yuyuan, Deng Linlin and Sui Lu from China are competing the Triple Flip Wild Rose Invitational April 2-4 in Edmonton, Canada. (Wild Rose, by the way, has added some cool features this year: real-time gymnastic scores online and live video streaming.)

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js

Leave a comment if you know reasons why coaches and national federations might prefer Invitationals over F.I.G. sanctioned events.

Some preliminary results have been posted by F.I.G.

This is the 3rd time a World Cup has been hosted in Doha. The region, as you know, is intensely keen to develop sport.

Here’s one good news story …

… Her name is Aljazy Al Habshi, she lives in Doha and she’s a gymnast. But not just any gymnast. Aljazy is here among gymnasts from other Gulf countries as the first Qatari woman to appear among the elite of international Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. At 19, she is a veritable icon in her homeland, an idol, a role model. Aljazy has paved the way to gymnastics for scores of facebook generation gymnasts in Qatar!

Her career began in 2000 when she was just nine years old. “The greatest obstacle was convincing her family!” confided Anis Saoud with a smile, Technical Secretary for the Qatari Gymnastics Federation. “When our federation was founded back in 2000, little Aljazy began dreaming of a competitive career. With her parent’s support, the family was slowly and painstakingly convinced. Today the entire family is proud of Aljazy’s achievements, especially her two sisters.” …

read more – F.I.G. – Aljazy’s dream

Qualification leaders: MAG Huang Yuguo (FX); Berki (PH); Al Asi (R); Cao (V); Dong (PB) Zhang (HB); WAG Khwela (V); Huang (UB, FX), Wu (BB) Complete results

One of the rare-in-America nonprofit gymnastics clubs is currently seeking an Executive Director.

… The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. Oversee and Administer the day to day business activities of Gymnastics Olympica. Serve as the point of contact for all business relating to both recreational classes and competitive gym team. …

This is a full time position based in Van Nuys, California. Gymnastics Olympica offers a positive and flexible work environment, and health benefits.

Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2010. …

Sheri Struck, Gymnastics Olympica

Board of Directors
7735 Haskell Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
email gymnasticsolympica AT gmail.com

www.gousa.org

… UK Sport chief John Steele reveals Great Britain will employ similar tactics to Canada in their bid to own the podium …

The host nation (Canada) used the programme to great effect in Vancouver, as they finished on top of the medals table with 14 golds, four ahead of second placed Germany. …

“At first a lot of people were critical of Canada’s Own the Podium programme saying that it wasn’t very sporting and it had some bad press,” he said.

“But as soon as it started to do well then everyone thought it was a great idea and were a lot less critical.

“We will probably use a different strap line but the idea for 2012 will be very similar and it is something we definitely want to use as a tool for success.

UK Sport already plotting how Great Britain will own the London 2012 podium

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js

As a Canadian, I’m relieved the Games in Vancouver weren’t more scandal ridden. It could have been worse.

And it will likely be worse 4yrs from now in Sochi, Russia.

For a worrying forecast, click through to this article in the Vancouver Sun: Troubles of 2010 Games could pale compared to Sochi in 2014

Wikipedia – 2014 Winter Olympics

Personally, I was very proud of the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games, overall. They were not perfect. Some venues were too dangerous.

… On the other hand, I’m happy not to be on the hook for the legacy tax burden.

The #1 College gymnast in America, end of season.

Congratulations.

top 25 AA gymnasts

Click PLAY or watch Sarah’s Beam from earlier in the year on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-4.2/player.swf

Despite scoring 197.475 this weekend, and finishing the regular season undefeated, Oklahoma did not overtake The Tide.

Alabama scored 197.575 in their final meet of the season.

top 25 teams

… With Friday night’s attendance, Alabama set a new school and Southeastern Conference season attendance record of 13,786 fans per meet, the second highest season average in the history of collegiate gymnastics. …

Congratulations to Alabama coach Sarah Patterson and everyone in that program.

Roll Tide.

Gymnast Kassi Price Named Alabama Nominee for McWhorter

How did Canada’s Own The Podium programme go with their Paralympic athletes?

… the host did achieve its goal of finishing third in the gold medal race with 10. Half of them were won by a single athlete, Lauren Woolstencroft …

The 28-year-old won all five alpine disciplines for standing skiers at Whistler Creekside …

Calgary native Woolstencroft … wears prosthetic limbs beneath her knees and below her left elbow.

“I’m glad that I was born with this disability and I didn’t get it later in life, because I didn’t have to adapt to anything,” Woolstencroft said. “It’s just how I am.” …

Canada third at Paralympics

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js

Gymnasts Hannah Wickens, Kirsty Dalrymple, April Coombs, Scarlett Rolt and Elise Hale goof for Walt Disney to help launch the DVD of the gymnastics film ‘Stick It’.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (2007)

(via GymNiceTic)

The first ever Asian Junior Trampoline Championships saw two victors from China.

He Yuxiang and Dong Yu will, I assume, qualify to the first ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore this Summer.

A maximum of one male and one female trampolinist born in 1993 or 1994 is allowed per country.

… It makes me wonder if we’ll have any age falsification scandals in Singapore. Since very narrow age requirements are in place for every sport, the most likely scenario would be to have an overage athlete claim they were younger.