Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Bars – strongest apparatus Tokyo

I feel Bars will be the most exciting and competitive apparatus at the Olympics.

Here are many (but not all) of the contenders for Finals.

Riley would have been in this group, but I wouldn’t rank her top 3.

I’m hoping the execution judges will do their job. E-score should decide finalists and medalists.

But I’m assuming they’ll be out-of-practice. E-scores will be boxed closely together, regardless of performance. If so, the highest D-scores will be at an advantage.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Riley McCusker on Arizona Sunrays

Recall Riley injured her ankle at the U.S. Classic. On competition Vault landing mats, where so many major injuries happen.

… I want to thank Brian from the bottom of my heart for showing me what it was like to be treated with kindness and respect everyday.

Because of this I will never let anyone treat or abuse me the way I was for years, he has helped me become a whole person.

He is also an incredible coach and before I hurt my ankle at classics I was doing things on floor and vault that I never thought possible for me.

My main motivation for this last year and a half while training with Brian Carey was to show all of the little gymnasts and athletes out there that you can still become the best athlete that you can be in a healthy environment. …

I didn’t have a vote. But my pick for the +one U.S. Olympic team would have been Riley. She hit 5/6 Bars routines this season and would have been a favourite for the Bars final, if not the podium.

If you want a deep dive into WHY the USA didn’t pick Riley as an alternate, listen to the June 30th GymCastic episode – Olympic Trials Party and Postmortem.

NBA coach Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon was on the short list for head coach of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers.

She wasn’t hired.

Australian Institute of Sport LGBTIQ+

The AIS has strengthened its commitment to creating a safe and supportive community for LGBTIQ+ athletes, coaches and staff by becoming a Principal Partner Member of Pride in Sport Australia. …

Facebook

CAN JO & Novice Nationals*

Due to differing COVID restrictions in Canadian Provinces, only SOME gymnasts were able to participate in Canadian Nationals 2021 online.

Congratulations to those who did so in a very challenging training year.

Unofficial results as I post.

JO level 10 (16+)
Kennedy Duke BC 37.150
Angelique Gates BC 36.650
Avery Tillmanns SK 36.200

JO Level 10 (12-15)
Hannah Mokuruk SK 35.150
Cloe Levesque NB 34.575
Jirah Hiscock NL 34.150

JO Level 9 14+
Mikayla Gilfillen BC 35.975
Natalie Shafer SK 35.875 2
Lila Bulka BC 35.675 3T
Arabella MacDougall SK 35.675 3T

JO Level 9 11-13
Kyla Piercey NL 34.950
Kendall McCleary SK 34.600
Grace Hill NL 34.025

Novice
Reese Wilson ON 52.900
Cristella Brunetti-Burns QC 51.650
Alyssa Guerrier-Calixte QC 50.250

Full results.

Related – MAG Canadian Nationals is scheduled LIVE in autumn of 2021.

USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame

Class of 2021

2004 Men’s Olympic Team
Program(s): Men’s Artistic | Inducted as: Team

Aamodt, Jim
Program(s): Trampoline & Tumbling | Inducted as: Lifetime Achievement

Bross, Rebecca
Program(s): Women’s Artistic | Inducted as: Athlete

Durham, Diane
Program(s): Women’s Artistic | Inducted as: Athlete

Estrada, Chris
Program(s): Trampoline & Tumbling | Inducted as: Athlete

Watson, Gene
Program(s): Men’s Artistic | Inducted as: Coach

Class of 2020

Campbell, Nora
Program(s): Rhythmic | Inducted as: Lifetime Achievement

Hamm, Morgan
Program(s): Men’s Artistic | Inducted as: Athlete

Sloan, Bridget
Program(s): Women’s Artistic | Inducted as: Athlete

Tomita, Yoichi
Program(s): Men’s Artistic | Inducted as: Coach

Wieber, Jordyn
Program(s): Women’s Artistic | Inducted as: Athlete

Wright, Mary
Program(s): Women’s Artistic | Inducted as: Coach

Details.

Jordyn opted not to attend the Induction.

I believe Bridget decided not to go, as well.