Author: Rick Mc

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

Parkour at Worlds Stuttgart

FIG wanted to promote their newest discipline. They did so at Stuttgart’s Palace Square as one part of a terrific promotion of the Artistic competition.

The public was able to try some of the obstacle course challenges.

Click PLAY or watch a promotion video on YouTube.

Sam Oldham’s story

Former Team GB gymnast Sam Oldham is gunning for one last shot at Olympic glory – this is his story

… Oldham is out of Team GB and hasn’t competed at major championships in several years, yet he remains focused on making a surge for a place in the squad for Tokyo. …

“On paper, right now I’m in the worst possible place I’ve been in. I’m 26, not in the GB squad right now, my funding got dropped, I’m actually living with my grandparents. …

Sam Oldham on Team GB Olympic glory and frustrations, his battle with depression and the road to Tokyo 2020

Sam Oldham, GBR 2010

RSA’s Caitlin Rooskrantz to Tokyo

Congratulations to the South African star. Cheer her at the Olympics.

Petro PAKHNIUK is a fantastic gymnast

With Oleg and Petro healthy, Ukraine could again be an Olympic medal contender in 2020.

GymCastic: Why don’t we talk about him more as an AA medal challenger?

Click PLAY or watch his Euros 2019 P Bars on YouTube.

Unfortunately he missed in the 2019 Worlds P Bar final.

Joe Fraser’s P Bar Giant

Winning Worlds, I thought Joe’s best skill was Giant to single Bar handstand. Healy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

improving World Championships

Most people agree on these points:

  • Worlds should be shorter
  • Worlds should be less expensive
  • Worlds should not showcase dangerous skills from gymnasts not at the expected level of competition
  • Smaller, poorer nations should have a chance to compete against China
In 2019 we had medalists from Croatia, Ireland and Philippines, for example. We don’t want to reduce the chances of a future Carlos ‘Caloy’ Yulo having a chance to rise to medal contender.

 

I’m OK with lower level gymnasts competing Worlds so long as their routines are not dangerous. Recall Sri Lanka’s appearance at Worlds 2003? The audience loved them. Their routines were very basic.

 

In 2019 Milka Gehani just might qualify for the Tokyo Olympics through the tripartite rule. Worlds 2003 was a step on the long road to Tokyo.

 

Click PLAY or watch her Beam on YouTube.

To shorten Worlds I’d first cut the Team competition. It would be decided through the qualification round.

IOC and FIG have broad missions. Handing medals to the best of the best is one objective amongst many. Developing sport in Sri Lanka is another.

PROPOSAL – Elite Worlds 

In Canada we have always had two major competitions each year:

  1. Nationals (regional representation, regional development, etc.)
  2. Elite Canada

At Elite Canada only the best of the best qualify. We might have 12 gymnasts from Ontario and only 1 from Nova Scotia, for example.

I’d love to see an FIG sponsored Elite Worlds. Cash prizes. 15 American gymnasts competing Floor, for example.

 

Trampolinist Tamara O’Brien has died

After two years battling cancer, Tamara O’Brien passed away. So young, so fit. It’s just not fair.

Rest in peace.

Click PLAY or watch a TV feature posted Oct 13, 2019 on YouTube.

Trampoline back ‘KABOOM’ tutorial

More difficult than it looks. Timing critical.

Click PLAY or watch a teaser on Facebook.