Aspire Academy, Doha

Aspire Academy … founded in 2004 with the goal to scout and help develop Qatari athletes, whilst also providing them with secondary school education. …

The school areas are being used for Worlds right now. But it is an impressive facility for student athletes, mostly male. There is a parallel program for female athletes but it’s very small.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

related – Aspire Academy: Unlocking the potential of Qatar’s youth

bullying made Dom Cunningham stronger

Watch the interview on BBC.

Call out bullies every time you see it happen. Take ethical action.

How about a USAG interim “management team”?

Sounds good to me.

Tony Retrosi:

A TEAM Approach for The Future of USA Gymnastics

It may be time for USA Gymnastics to consider a TEAM of individuals to become interim leaders until a permanent CEO can be found.

Worlds opening Press Conference

FIG makes history hosting Worlds in the Middle East

FIG President Watanabe thanked Ali Al Hitmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee, for his courage in hosting such an important event.

Actually, the media event started off with a laugh. Watanabe had arrived in Doha just in time. But security wouldn’t let him into the venue. They insisted he go get his credential first.

All agreed strict security is a good thing.

Watanabe spoke in English. He thanked media for coming to Qatar.

He first visited for Asian Games 2006. At that time our sport was not much developed. Watanabe considers it a miracle that only 12 years later the sport has come so far. Qatar has 3 competitors (2 MAG, 1 WAG).

I’ve been to the Gym here several times over the years. Ali Al Hitmi deserves much of the credit.

Aside from sport, I’m optimistic that bringing the world to Qatar will help advance the cause of human rights.

Svetlana Boginskaya unveiled the Worlds medals. In fact, Al Hitmi put a gold medal around her neck. She liked it. Very heavy!

“What if I’m not believed?”

An NPR podcast asks the question:

How did Larry Nassar get away with his treatment for decades?

Listen to it online. (18min)

Larry Nassar with Kerri Strug 1996 Olympics

Kohei withdraws from the AA

His right ankle has not recovered sufficiently to compete FX or Vault.

During podium training he deliberately rolled out of landings to protect the ankle as much as possible.

update on CDN coach court cases

Sexual assault trial of Canada’s former national women’s gymnastics coach begins Monday

Michel Arsenault’s trial was moved forward to some time 2019.

Jim Thorpe’s shoes at the Olympics

Associated Press named him the “greatest athlete” from the first 50 years of the 20th century.

Here’s a great story – triumphing over racism and adversity.

James Francis Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk)Wa-Tho-Huk, translated as “Bright Path” … was an American athlete and Olympic gold medalist.

A member of the Sac and Fox Nation, Thorpe became the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States.

Considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals in the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, and played American football (collegiate and professional), professional baseball, and basketball.

He lost his Olympic titles after it was found he had been paid for playing two seasons of semi-professional baseball before competing in the Olympics, thus violating the amateurism rules that were then in place. In 1983, 30 years after his death, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) restored his Olympic medals. …

Hurricane Michael Gymnastics clinic

Doc Ali is donating all proceeds to the USA Gymnastics Florida Recovery Fund managed by the United States Gymnastics Coaches and Owners Association (USGCOA).

TOPICS:

1. UNLEASH your fierce competitor when it counts

2. Deal with nerves during competition

3. Be mentally strong through adversity in competition

Participate live in your gym, at home, or watch the video recording at your convenience.

Hurricane Michael Relief Clinic: Get Your Mind Right for Competition ($25.00)

Hurricane Michael Relief Clinic: Get Your Mind Right for Competition – Gym Membership ($300.00)

details

USC pays $215m over gynaecologist sex abuse claims

The proposed settlement would compensate students who saw gynaecologist George Tyndall, whom hundreds of women have accused.

It comes a day after 93 women filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging it ignored complaints for decades.

Mr Tyndall has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. …

BBC