tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
It makes no sense for the Gymnastics Canada Suspended/Expelled Members list to include people who are in prison alongside some who are under investigation — who might yet be found innocent.
At minimum, there should be two lists.
Next, there should be more detail attached to why the guilty individuals were suspended / expelled.
Here’s a news report from the U.K. on this issue.
The General Assembly of European Gymnastics has voted against allowing athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus to return to official European Gymnastics competitions from 1 January 2024 onwards, thus not following the FIG decision.
This begs the question whether it’s feasible for RUS athletes to compete in Europe at FIG World Cup qualifying meets.
As much as possible, gymnasts should be able to go to the toilet at any time during training.
Common sense.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. This is the new policy of British Gymnastics.
The last time I saw a scale in a Gym was 2003. I asked that it be removed.
Unless there is some specific reason — scientific research in training, for example — there’s no need for weigh-ins at training. And there are some risks, as we’ve seen in the past.
I prefer gymnasts weigh in at home in private. Or under instructions from medical staff.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. This is the new policy of British Gymnastics.
Recommended for coaches is a 2016 book looking at the latest research in brain development.
The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults – by Frances E Jensen & Amy Ellis Nutt
For those of us who have forgotten 😀, teenagers are capable of incredibly bad decisions.
There’s a reason for that.
The teenage brain is not yet fully developed.
Click PLAY or watch an interview with one of the authors on YouTube.
For many, many gymnasts the opportunity for a College scholarship to gain their education is a fantastic experience. Indeed, the vast majority of gymnasts I’ve spoken with are happy with their decision to compete after Club.
BUT it doesn’t work for all. I’m particularly concerned about risk of serious injury competing so many times each season in NCAA.
Recently, Molly Hensley-Clancy and Emily Giambalvo did a deep dive into female college gymnasts complaints for the Washington Post:
I believe that story is not behind the paywall.
Schools identified in the article:
Eating disorders are common for many young women, especially college athletes. But studies consistently find female gymnasts are at a staggeringly high risk, with a 2004 study finding 42 percent of gymnasts and other elite “aesthetic sport” athletes, such as figure skaters, had disordered eating habits, compared with 16 percent in sports like soccer or basketball.
Certainly I believe the complainants.
I also believe that many of their teammates had positive experiences with the same coaches. Both can be simultaneously true.
Are things getting better in the NCAA?
The goals of the IOC are commendable.
Just one of those is sustainable development.
Note Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m thinking this is the best possible result for the rest of the world.
FIG made an attempt to return Russian athletes to international competition as IOC decided — and they decided not to participate.
The Olympics will be a much more positive event without Russia.
Valentina Rodionenko:
“We do not agree with any of the admission criteria that FIG has developed …
Until the international federation makes changes to its document, we will not send athletes to the starts.
This is the decision of the national team’s coaching staff.”
Carly Dockendorf has agreed to be interim head coach of the Red Rocks.
From the statement:
“This action comes after recent conduct and actions by Coach Farden not related to student-athlete welfare, which simply do not align with our values and expectations.”
Gymnastics Coaching.com 