Shawn Johnson “Little Wonders”

The little girl from Iowa is still talking about a possible return to competitive gymnastics.

I doubt it.

kevinthehawk put together a lovely montage of her gymnastics and celebrity careers.

… For an amazing athlete who inspired people everwhere with her talent, dedication, and angel like attitude with her big smile that always makes me smile too, …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Chinese gymnasts may YET be underage

From FIG by email:

In the context of the disciplinary proceedings involving Chinese gymnasts Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, suspected of having violated minimum age requirements for participation in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the FIG Disciplinary Commission invited the two athletes to appear with representatives from the Chinese Gymnastic Association at a hearing held at FIG headquarters, December 19 – 20, 2009.

Note that a legal statement issued by the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) confirmed the FIG as the authority competent to conduct a full investigation; it fell to the Federation to examine the case and draw its own conclusions as to whether or not the age limit was violated and which subsequent sanctions will be issued.

After an extensive interview with the two parties and witnesses present, the Disciplinary Commission, composed of Mr Rached Gharbi (TUN), President, Ms Margarida Dias Ferreira (POR) and Marc Schoenmaekers (BEL), will submit its recommendations to the FIG Authorities. A decision will be brought at the next Executive Committee meeting, scheduled for February 26, 2010 in Lausanne (SUI).

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AP Photo by AMY SANCETTA

So, FIG has final authority to make a decision. And will make a decision. Congratulations.

The girls are 10yrs older. But I’m pleased to see a ruling will be made one way or the other, rather than sweep the touchy issue under the rug.

If you read this blog regularly, you know I’m convinced that Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun were both underage at the 2000 Olympics.

gymnast Daiane Dos Santos drug appeal

From FIG by email:

FIG Disciplinary Commission

GYMNAST HEARD

Lausanne (SUI) – FIG Office, December 21, 2009: The FIG Disciplinary Commission heard Brazilian gymnast Daiane Dos Santos on Friday, December 18, 2009, in Lausanne (SUI) after she tested positive for furosemide on July 2, 2009 during an out-of-competition test.

Composed of Rached Gharbi (TUN) President, Ms Margarida Dias Ferreira (POR) and Paul Engelmann (SUI), the Disciplinary Commission described the hearing as transparent, positive and constructive. It will bring its conclusions before the FIG Presidential Commission on January 26th.

Note that the proceedings opened against Daiane Dos Santos, 2003 World Floor Champion in Anaheim (USA) and winner of the 2006 World Cup in her discipline, are in keeping with the rules in force, according to which a therapeutic use exemption request must be made in the event that an athlete necessitates the use of a prohibited substance.

World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2006 - Day 8

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

Since the Discipline Committee is actually meeting, perhaps we’ll finally get a decision from them on whether or not China was guilty of competed with two underage gymnasts at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

UPDATE … A ruling will be made February 26, 2010.

Food Inc. – the movie

It’s the season of gluttony where I live. Perhaps we need rent this movie to slow the gorge.

Food, Inc. is a 2008 American documentary film directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Kenner.

The film examines large-scale agricultural food production in the United States, concluding that the meat and vegetables produced by this type of economic enterprise have many hidden costs and are unhealthy and environmentally-harmful.

The film is narrated by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, two long-time critics of the industrial production of food.[ The documentary generated extensive controversy in that it was heavily criticized by large American corporations engaged in industrial food production. …

Wikipedia

Excellent. Scary. Recommended. It had an unbelievably high rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

I felt the movie was quite “balanced”. Their charges against big agriculture are indefensible.

… The producers invited on-screen rebuttals from Monsanto Company, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, Perdue Farms, and other companies, but all declined the invitation. …

official movie website

companion book – Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food Is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer—And What You Can Do About It

Related posts:

Fast Food Nation
Super Size Me – teaching kids about fast food

update – coach awarded $25.5 million

shergymrag found more information on Florida coach Shane Downey who was paralyzed on a tumbltrak in 2000.

http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/gannett-wtlv-3319-pub01-live/current/articleplayer/singleclip/client/embedded/embedded.swf

… I’m even more convinced that Shane should take some responsibility for his accident. As sher says, he’s certainly experienced enough to know to ask for a spot if he might need one.

Make it or Break It – Canada

Season 1 of the hit TV series will be on Canadian TV starting Wednesday on MuchMusic TV.

Make it or Break it, which originates on ABC Family in the United States, follows a group of young gymnasts as they back-stab and trash-talk each other while competing for spots on the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team.

The series stars Vancouver native Chelsea Hobbs as Emily Kmetko ..

24hrs

make-it-or-break-it

Season 1 premiere is online now at MuchMusic.com.

Season 2 starts on American TV early in the new year.

Love for Rhythmic Gymnastics

Kaja is a young Rhythmic Gymnast from Norway who’s video montages have already generated over 6 million views.

Most popular is one called Rhythmics is NOT easy!. Thanks Anastasia Umeh for linking to it.

But I prefer another titled Love for Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

This much better explains why a young girl might be inspired to take up the extreme sport of Rhythmic gymnastics.

gymnastics video feedback – Karolyi Ranch

… The technology provides a training aid that will allow coaches and gymnasts to review performances immediately following their routine or skills. The video training system will make its debut during the national team camp in late January. …

Eight cameras have been stationed around the training gym, and the coverage can be viewed on six, 42-inch plasma screen TVs. The cameras were placed to show different angles of each of the four events. …

video-monitors

details on USAG

I’m surprised it took this long.

next U.S. Men’s Gymnastics national team coordinator?

Ron Brant has resigned.

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Who will replace him?

Gymnastics Examiner posted the best article I’ve seen: Ron Brant: U.S. men’s gold ‘is going to happen’:

… Brant officially left his position of U.S. national team coordinator after the 2009 World Championships in October. …

Since the World Championships, Brant has been working in Colorado Springs as the High Performance Director for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sports Performance Division, helping guide performance initiatives for 10 Olympic and Paralympic sports, including gymnastics.

A number of factors contributed to Brant’s decision to step aside as U.S. men’s coordinator. “Part of it was the opportunity to grow in a profession that’s hard to do,” he said. “I’m in a position that I can still communicate with gymnastics in a different level…but not be involved in the day-to-day scheduling. The part I’ll miss is the competition.”

Although no replacement has been named, Brant said he expects an announcement to be made by the end of the year.

“Nothing’s finalized,” he said. “Obviously it’s a small group of people.” Potential successors include 2004 and 2008 Olympic head coach Kevin Mazeika, or perhaps Men’s Program Committee Chairman Yoichi Tomita, whose son Yewki spent the better part of the last decade on the senior National Team. …

read the entire article – Ron Brant: U.S. men’s gold ‘is going to happen’

I’ve always been a big fan of Ron and his team. He’s a classy guy and an intelligent, knowledgeable coach.

Thank-you for all the good years.

Legion of Extraordinary Dancers

THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF DANCE- THE LXD

The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (LXD) is a troupe being promoted by John M. Chu director of Step Up 2 and Step Up 3D and choreographed by Harry Shum, Christopher Scott, and Galen Hooks.

Harry Chum is the “Other Asian” from Glee.

LXD came to public attention with this astonishing Dec. 3rd performance on So You Think You Can Dance.

Click PLAY or watch them on YouTube.

In 2010 LXD performances will be posted online. Details are vague as yet, but you can follow them by subscribing to John M. Chu’s YouTube channel.

The World’s First Online Dance Adventure.

Here’s a trailer announcing the 2010 project.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’m psyched. This looks great.

Thanks Fred.