tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Shoko Miyata, the 19-year-old captain of Japan’s women’s artistic gymnastics for the Paris Olympics, for smoking violation — against their conduct code.
I’m a coach. Teams must have rules that are enforced.
BUT in this case I would have voted for a lesser penalty.
As it turns out, the entire team suffers.
As we feared, New Zealand was too shortsighted to approve Isabella who earned Olympic qualification at the continental championship.
One more Olympian from a small nation makes a BIG difference to the sport there. Inspiring children. Improving public fitness. A good investment.
I coached a year in New Zealand and am very disappointed.
Well done USA Gymnastics.
Equal opportunity for ALL.
Laurie Hernandez on Her and Partner Charlotte Drury’s Transition From Olympic Gymnastics to the Arts (Exclusive)
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
More important than ever as some right wing American politicians are trying to erase slavery from the history books. Looking at you, Florida.
All gymnasts should have an equal opportunity to participate and compete.
You probably recall the disaster that was Nellie Kim, President of the FIG Women’s Technical Committee, pushing for American Kylie Dickson to compete for Belarus in Rio.
It was one of Nellie Kim’s many ethical disasters.
But I’d argue that — more often than not — having a gymnast from a bigger nation represent a smaller nation DOES help Gymnastics there. For example, I fully expect WAG to boom over the next couple of Olympic cycles in Philippines.
Should these athletes have qualified to Paris?
Read a thoughtful article by Caroline Price in Forbes:
The gymnast most active in supporting Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is Nikita Nagorny.
He’s top of the list to be sanctioned.
As we feared …
New Zealand was not SMART enough to confirm Isabella to the Olympics after she earned the Olympic berth through Continental qualification.
Obviously to ME … the benefits of a smaller nation having one more Olympian far outweighs the downside of Isabella not finishing high in the rankings.
Personally, I feel most of the moves end up being successful for the gymnasts.
There are about 100 gymnasts in the portal now, in advance of the 2025 season.
There’s a good discussion on the topic on College Gym News:
related – Selena Harris enters transfer portal, ‘dismissed’ from UCLA gymnastics
Mattel is making Barbie dolls depicting U.S. tennis star Venus Williams and eight other athletes who’ve “broken boundaries” and encouraged girls to stay in sports, the company announced Wednesday. …
French boxer Estelle Mossely; soccer players Christine Sinclair, of Canada, and Mary Fowler, of Australia; gymnasts Alexa Moreno, of Mexico, and Rebeca Andrade, of Brazil; Spanish Paralympian Susana Rodriguez; Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini and; Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda.
Mattel unveils Venus Williams Barbie “Role Model” doll
Gymnastics Coaching.com 