Louter & Kiens out from Federation

The Dutch Federation removed coaches Frank Louter and Patrick Kiens from their National Team responsibilities. Both can coach at their clubs.

Kiens can continue to coach Eythora Thorsdottir and Kirsten Polderman. Louter can continue to coach Sara van Disseldorp and Laura de Witt.

This was unrelated to the ongoing disciplinary investigation.

Vincent Wevers and Nico Zijp stay on with National Team.

Details on Nos Sport. (Dutch)

USAG Athlete Bill of Rights

As we celebrate Human Rights Day and reflect upon the significance of empowerment and advocacy, we are proud to introduce the USA Gymnastics Athlete Bill of Rights.

All athletes have the right to: 

* Participate in gymnastics

* Train and compete safely

* Have their personal health and wellness prioritized

* Be treated with dignity and respect

* Receive proper instruction

* Provide input on matters that directly affect them

* Voice opinions on issues that affect the gymnastics community

* Expect integrity and transparency

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

new Oleg Verniaiev interview

Oleg. Oleg.

Always interesting. Always entertaining.

He’s not competing Europeans* this week, but we do have this.

Goals… Well, as you can see my cycle was not an easy one.

In 2018, I went through two surgeries. In 2019, two surgeries.

I didn’t manage to fully recover so the postponement of the Olympic Games is probably more good news than sad news for me. …

I want to return to the all-around leaders race. …

… there will not just be Dalaloyan and Nagornyy [to compete with]. I think there will be Xiao Ruoteng and Sam Mikulak. This is just from the current guys …

OC: It’s a tough question to ask, but looking from the outside in. What are your thoughts on the abuse situations that have been reported in gymnastics in the United States and Great Britain? What do you feel for athletes who spoke up about this topic and revealed what happened to them?

I find violence inadmissible. When someone yells at you that you are a fool, that you are bad and you get a cuff on the nape or beaten up – it’s wrong and I’m against it. I believe that such coaches should be kicked out or punished. …

I was incredibly lucky with my first coach – Olga Ermakova. She’s in Australia now coaching. …

Exclusive Q&A: Oleg Verniaiev on Olympic success, his Tokyo 2020 goals, Simone Biles and more

Nastia movie – Little Olympians

The Olympic Champ will be a part of a planned small film being put together by former Rhythmic Olympian Mary Sanders.

Nastia v Alica for mental health

Who’s the fitter gymnast in 2021?

Alicia has 3 kids — but I wouldn’t bet against her legendary fitness.

The Olympians have scheduled a Fun, Friendly Fitness Competition for Dec. 12, 2020 March 6, 2021.

Inside Gymnastics just posted a new interview with the gladiators. 😀

A LIVE stream ticket costs $19. It’s a fundraiser for mental health.

Details – BigFight.us

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

473 former College gymnasts surveyed

Dave Tilley one of the authors of this study.

Gymnastics is a popular sport with high injury rates, especially at the collegiate level. …

The median age of gymnastics specialization was 8 years [interquartile range = 6-11 years]. The proportion of injuries sustained during college did not significantly differ by specialization age.

A significantly greater proportion of early specializers required surgery for college sports-related injuries (60% vs. 44%; p = 0.02).

Forty-two percent of the respondents reported concussion history, and a greater proportion of those with concussion history reported seeking mental health treatment during college (32% vs. 23%; p = 0.03), and anxiety disorder diagnosis (16% vs. 9%; p = 0.01).

Disordered eating history was reported by 34% of the respondents …

Conclusion: Athletes and clinicians should be aware of the long-term effects of early specialization, concussions, and disordered eating in gymnastics as these issues are common in female collegiate gymnasts.

Health outcomes among former female collegiate gymnasts: the influence of sport specialization, concussion, and disordered eating

Yuri Titov interview

Three-time Olympian and former president of the FIG Yuri Titov turned 85 in November. He gave an interview to TASS on this occasion and talked about his career and the current generation of Russian gymnasts. …

Titov won Olympic gold as a part of the 1956 Soviet team and multiple silver and bronze medals but never the all-around gold:

“Talking about the Olympics, I consider myself somewhat a loser. At my first Games in 1956 in Melbourne, I got injured a few hours before the opening ceremony. …

gymnovosti

Titov opposed both the 1980 and 1984 boycotts.

Minnesota Gymnastics 60 Minutes

While some schools are moving mountains to get in football and basketball seasons, non-revenue generating sports are on the chopping block.

Some colleges are testing every player and coach for the virus every day and even that hasn’t stopped outbreaks; many games have had to be canceled or rescheduled. But still, they press on.  

They do it, of course, to keep the TV money coming in from football and basketball. But at the same time, dozens of universities have been eliminating smaller “secondary” sports like gymnastics and tennis and swimming. …

Mike Burns: I think every athletic director who’s dropping programs is using the COVID pandemic as an excuse …

Shane Wiskus: NCAA Gymnastics I believe is a crucial component in preparing gymnasts for, you know, not only success for their team, but success for the United States on the world and Olympic podiums. …

Some colleges axing “secondary sports” like gymnastics and tennis as pandemic continues

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

#Paris2024 🏃🏽‍♂️🤾🏻‍♀️ equality

Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking were confirmed as additional sports proposed by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. …

Olympic.org

Finally. An equal number of Olympic male and female competitors.