Misty Copeland and Barack Obama

They discuss topics including racial discrimination and female empowerment.

The first African American president and the first black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater have much more in common than their success. Both have risen to the pinnacle of institutions that have historically been led by whites. Both were raised by determined single mothers and born into multi-racial families. And both seek to use their unique positions of power to inspire a generation of kids who may not see a clear path forward toward success.

Time magazine

Click through to Time to watch the interview.

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Kacy Catanzaro – Air Flare

What other female acrobats do this skill?

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Day 20 #AirFlair Challenge. It will be a journey for sure ? Small progress is still progress ???

A video posted by kacycatanzaro (@kacycatanzaro) on Mar 12, 2016 at 2:36pm PST

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Axelle Klinckaert – Floor

Well. This is actual … choreography. Very courageous.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Can’t say I love it. But NCAA audiences would go wild.

(via papaliukin)

sports for gymnasts AFTER they retire

Artistic gymnasts make great circus artists. Doing stunts for TV and films can pay the bills.

Diving
Dance
Cheer
Snowboarding
CrossFit
Track & Field (especially Pole Vault)
Martial Arts

7 Sports to Consider When You Retire Your Leo

begin-here-go-anywhere

Risa Perez – Floor

OSU’s Risa Perez made the Power Rankings this week for her wildly entertaining Floor choreography. She sells it.

Click PLAY or watch her routine in the win over Stanford on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch the Oregon Team Intro on YouTube.

Making Gators Dance – An Interview With Jeremy Miranda

Gym Blog Central posted an informative and entertaining chat with the Florida choreographer.

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in praise of UCLA Floor

The Gym Digest put together a greatest hits list – some of Miss Val’s best routines.

For example, Stella Umeh.

She won NCAA floor titles in 1995 and 1998 and was a member of the team that won UCLA’s first team championship in 1997. Her 1998 routine seen here won a perfect 10, the first of her career.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Of the many great routines selected, my own favourite is probably Brittani McCullough (2010). This routine was shocking LIVE. Much more so than on YouTube.

See the whole list – COLLEGE: UCLA’S FANTASTIC FLOOR.