Category: ethics

Trinidad approves Marisa Dick for Olympics

Worst case scenario would have been neither gymnast going to Rio.

Good luck Marisa.

Marisa

And despite the controversy over the manner of Williams’ deselection—on the eve of the Test event—the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) ruled today, in a press conference at the Olympic House in Port of Spain, that Dick will go. …

Yet, even as Lewis endorsed Dick, he suggested that the TTGF could be disciplined under Clause 13 of its constitution—which is entitled “Measures and Sanctions”—and lamented the position that the TTOC found itself in. It is the first time that the TTOC has ever invoked that clause.

“It is a dark cloud over the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic movement,” said Lewis. “Public confidence in the governance of sport has been shaken… We deplore the situation that the ttoc has found itself in.”

wired868

That’s the official decision. Read Lauren Hopkin’s overview of the situation.

Marisa Dick press conference

Marisa and her mother flew to Trinidad from Rio to face the press.

… “I am really proud that T&T will be represented in the Olympics whether it’s myself or Thema. Gymnastics is a growing sport in T&T and the Olympics is the biggest event in sport. For T&T to be represented in the Olympics is just really exciting,” she said.

press conference
press conference

On all the negative attention gymnastics has been getting in the media Dick added: “This is tough, it gets in your head. You have to focus on what is important …

She said Williams has supported her. “Yes she supported me in Rio and I supported her after Worlds. I was heartbroken that I would not be the one going to the Olympics but I was so supportive of her because it’s T&T that will be going to the Olympics it’s not myself or Thema it’s T&T. …

Guardian

Thema flew to Trinidad, as well. She has many supporters who’d like to see her reinstated as the Olympian for T&T. That’s impossible, however. If Marisa is unable to compete for any reason that spot will go to another nation.

Thema

via @GymCastic

Together | Rio 2016 Olympic Games

New video from the IOC includes a bad Gymnastics fall. Questionable edit, I feel

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Olympic problems

Security is good. Hundreds of military in and around the Olympic arena look very capable.

Rio-security
security drill at the Gymnastics venue

But there are many problems.

… International sports federations expressed concern Tuesday over problems with venues for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, including power failures at the gymnastics arena this week. …

FIG official Ron Froehlich cited power outages, putting at risk athletes’ safety and the scoring system, plus missing equipment at an underfunded temporary training venue. …

Sports federations concerned about venues for Rio Games

Power is still being produced by generators. 😦 Generators fail.

Still, the Artistic competition was a success. We only had one major injury over the 3 days – Achilles rupture tumbling for one of the Austrian gymnasts. 😦 Injury rate is normally higher at these biggest meets.

The purpose of the Test Event is to test all aspects. FIX the problems in time for the Olympics.

The venues should be ready.

Click PLAY or watch a Cidade Olimpica promo video on YouTube.

Yet as I walk the Olympic City during break, there are very few workmen to be seen. You’d expect they’d still be working 24/7.

I’m worried.

(via Lauren Hopkins)

Dipa Karmakar – 1st female Olympian from India

Dipa Karmakar, who became India’s first woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics, will receive the sports ministry’s funding of up to Rs.30 lakh under the Target Olympic Scheme (TOPS), it was announced on Monday. …

The ministry of youth affairs and sports (Department of Sports) has formulated the TOP scheme for identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. …

Besides being the first Indian woman, Dipa will also be an Indian gymnast qualifying for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 long years.

The last time Indians participated in gymnastics at Olympics was way back in 1964, but during that time there was no qualification system in place. Six men competed at Tokyo 1964 in the artistic individual all-around category.

Till date, 11 Indian men gymnasts have competed in the Olympics –two in 1952, three in 1956 and six in 1964. …

F. Sports

The Federation in India has been a disaster over recent years. Happily the Department of Sports will ensure she has training funds to prepare safely for the Olympics.

I saw 3 Produnovas in Rio, her best during podium training. Here’s the highest quality video I’ve seen of those.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Dipa wins Vault

A National hero to 1.3 billion people back home. 🙂

1 KARMAKAR Dipa IND 14.833
2 CHUSOVITINA Oksana UZB 14.716
3 LITTLE Emily AUS 14.383
full results

Dipa’s Handspring double front was better than in the prelims. Definitely not a zero vault.

Under current FIG rules I’d say the ranking of the top 3 was fair. WTC did not address how to more severely evaluate dangerous deep landings. They should. There is too much incentive to “chuck” the Prudnova.

That said, Dipa is great on this apparatus. Her 2nd Kasamatsu (like Tsuk double twist) was one of the best vaults at Test Meet.

Dipa will inspire many tens of thousands of kids to try the sport.

Gymternet LIVE blog

related – Indian Express – Dipa Karmakar vaults into history books after qualifying for Olympics

Dipa Karmakar – Produnova

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Not a zero vault, in my opinion. Judges gave her 8.066 execution score. Final = 15.066.

FIG WTC should be more severe on dangerous landings than that.

An excellent YDT scores about 15.0

Dipa’s podium training double front was better.

women in Gymnastics Coaching

Average salary? 🙂

Marisa Dick replaces Thema Williams

UPDATE – T&T says Thema has an ankle injury.

___original post:

… Marisa will now compete for Trinidad and Tobago at Test Meet rather than Thema.

Thema is here with coach John Geddert. She looked good in podium training. Perhaps she was injured in the training hall.

The switch was so last minute that Marisa’s coaches could not get a visa in time. Ricardo Lue Shue will coach Marisa in Rio.

Both are great gymnasts. Either could qualify to the Olympics.

stupid Karolyi training

The most severe, the most stupid Gymnastics training was in the 1980s. Here’s a case study. Other coaches tried to emulate.

Retton has undergone 19 surgeries, including having both hips replaced, partially because of all the pounding as a gymnast. She needs back and shoulder surgery, which won’t be scheduled until after the Rio Games.

“When I say we did 60 to 70 vaults a day, we did — and that was landing on that hard surface,” Retton said. …

Catching up with Mary Lou Retton, Olympic darling of 1984

Mary-Lou

Click PLAY or watch part of that interview on Facebook.

Mary Lou Retton: Ignore your critics, do what you love

(via GymCastic)