tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Well … I’m a supporter of the Fujitsu experiment. But it’s early days.
The software in 2026 is limited. It can’t analyze curved lines of the body, for example.
In Rotterdam we ASSuMEd the software resulted in more severe evaluation of layout and pike positions, downgrading some that had not been downgraded even weeks and months before Worlds. Unethical and unfair.
Here’s a summary of the 2 hour and 40 minute webinar. That link takes you to the video on YouTube.
Machar Colony is a dilapidated slum in Karachi, Pakistan.
Many people are undocumented because they have not been given citizenship by the government, so many people are jobless.
Some of the little work available is in the fishing industry and consequently the area is also known as Fisherman’s Colony.
BUT coach Furqan Raja and human rights lawyer Tahera Hasan have built a Gymnastics program, not easy for girls in a Muslim nation.
The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony is a new documentary. A joyful coming-of-age journey that proves the power of access and opportunity.
It will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
He said the quiet part out loud.
Personally, I’d like computer video analysis to do the things it is better at than humans. Height, distance, alignment, angles, etc.
Keep humans for the subjective evaluation of artistry, crowd appeal, etc.
Read his comments on Instagram.
I enjoyed 2010 at Ahoy arena. And it’s even better in 2026.
Volunteers — many from around the world — were terrific. We lacked for nothing.
82 Federations. 457 gymnasts.
One told me that Worlds 2027 in China will likely use all Chinese volunteers. International folks need not apply. That sounds inefficient as it would be good to have as many languages for translation on site, as possible.
On the other hand, I’d ban Netherlands from bidding on World Gymnastics FIG events for at least 10 years because the government denied visas to eligible competitors.
I’d ban Indonesia, as well. Their government did the same thing at Worlds 2025.
Aside from that ➙ all good in Rotterdam.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
FIG blundered making this decision. It’s wrong. AND it was made just days before World Championships.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
International Gymnast magazine:
Reigning World all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, Tokyo Olympic team champion Victoriia Listunova, and 2026 European all-around silver medalist Anna Kalmykova are to miss the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam, October 17-25, after being denied visas, the Russian Gymnastics Federation announced today. ….
Breaking News: Russia’s Melnikova, Listunova and Kalmykova denied visas for World Championships
As I post, Daniel Marinov, Arsenii Dukhno, Sergei Naidin, Ilya Zaika and Saveli Syedin are approved for the Men.
Only 3 were able to make it to Rotterdam in time for Podium Training.
Alena Glotova, Lyudmila Roshchina, Milana Kayumova and Elizaveta Us have been approved for the women.
Hopefully there will be more last minute approvals.
Personally, I would have voted to continue the ban on Putin’s dictatorship until he ends the war. Recall they were already sanctioned for systematic doping even before Putin invaded Ukraine.
BUT — since World Gymnastics approved them, they should be at World Championships.
World Gymnastics should not host any event in Netherlands nor Indonesia (denying Israeli athletes in 2025) for many years to come.
I fear for Olympics 2028. What nations will Trump ban after a bad golf game?
NOW … if you want to discuss banning nations other than Russia, I’d like to participate. Personally I would ask how many children were killed by a nation’s armed forces when deciding on those bans.
Statement from the Local Organising Committee of the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam has taken note of the announcement by the Russian Gymnastics Federation that three visa applications from members of the Russian delegation have been refused.
The assessment of visa applications and the decisions on whether to grant or refuse them are the sole responsibility of the relevant Dutch authorities. The LOC has no role in this decision-making process and is not involved in the assessment of individual visa applications.
As LOC, we have made every effort within our capacity to support and facilitate the participation of athletes and delegations. We respect the decisions made by the Dutch authorities.
Our position remains unchanged: all athletes eligible to compete under World Gymnastics regulations are welcome in Rotterdam, in accordance with applicable Dutch and European laws and regulations.
| World Gymnastics media statement regarding the refusal of visas to three Russian athletes set to participate at the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam. |
| Lausanne (SUI), 14 October 2026 – The issuance of visas to all participants is a process determined solely by the Dutch authorities. World Gymnastics is not in a position to explain why a select number of application requests have been refused. World Gymnastics remains in ongoing dialogue with the Dutch authorities, the Local Organising Committee, and the Russian Gymnastics Federation. World Gymnastics fully regrets the negative impact on the preparations of the Russian delegation and the confusion felt among the wider Artistic Gymnastics World Championships community. |
Past coaches of McKayla Maroney and many other elites face consequences after a long, long history of SafeSport complaints.
Date rape and worse are astonishingly common at College.
Obviously, it’s being kept quiet by administrators trying to protect the reputation on institutions.
Worse, some ReTrumplican pundits — already protecting their convicted rapist, admitted pussy-grabber, president from the Epstein files — are actually defending the Cornell 7.
Hengameh Hadiani became the first Iranian female gymnast to compete in the 2026 Asian Games since at least 1979. Congratulations to the nation at war with Trump for getting her to the Games.
