Category: ethics

Beam Scoring: Montreal vs Doha

Montreal was stupid. At the peak meet of the season judges suddenly began applying the code rules on fluidity more rigorously. I felt it was very unfair to the gymnasts.

Breaks in the flow were deducted more:

Adjustment – 0.1

Pause (2 sec)  -0.1

Click PLAY or watch examples on YouTube.

Judging geeks should check stats on Score For Score:

Beam Scoring: Montreal 2017 vs Doha 2018

Judges have been slightly tougher than at meets earlier in the season, but it’s not been super severe as it was in Montreal.

AND gymnasts have been much more fluid on Beam since Montreal.

USAG Tumbling Coach resigns

USA Gymnastics tumbling coach Sergio Galvez resigns amid misconduct allegations

Resignation comes days before World Championships in Russia

… pending an investigation into report filed with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport.

Galvez’s resignation was forced by USA Gymnastics board of directors and Safe Sport placed an “interim measure” restriction on Galvez for “allegations of misconduct” last Wednesday. USA Gymnastics and Safe Sport have not elaborated on the nature of the allegations.

women’s sport in Qatar

The Federation is very committed to developing WAG in Qatar. It’s difficult due to the culture. Children of expats are far more likely to show up and train hard every day than are the Arab girls.

Happily the Press has been giving plenty of coverage to their lone female competitor Jana El Keky. She’s a fan favourite with the media too.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter. She talks about trying to increase the numbers of girls.

The National Team gym is just outside the Aspire complex. An excellent facility.

And the name Simone Biles is getting famous with the general public.

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.