tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
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.”
As expected, FIG will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes and their support personnel into FIG sanctioned events listed on FIG Calendar starting January 1, 2024.
Sadly, I anticipate FIG regretting this decision as it will generate public protests against Putin everywhere Russians compete. I expect negative headlines every day during the Paris Olympics.
Of course there are athlete safety issues, as well. IOC already has to protect Palestinian and Israeli athletes going forward.
It would have been better to continue the ban through the Paris Olympics.
Next best would have been to allow Russian and Belarus to compete without the complications stipulated.
All gymnasts/athletes of Russian or Belarusian sporting nationality must comply with all anti-doping requirements applicable to them, in particular those set out in the FIG Anti-Doping Rules.
Russia has already been found guilty of systematic doping. How is it fair that their athletes have not been subject to testing over the ban so far?
Read the FIG decision for yourself:
Note:
Nikita Nagornyy is Chief of the Main Staff of the All-Russia “Young Army” National Military Patriotic Social Movement Association. He’s instantly banned.
A powerful moment.
The Heisman Trophy winner 2022 was devastated after a 52–42 loss.
He went directly to the stands to sob in his mother’s arms.
Asked about his reaction after the Washington loss, Williams said it’s important to be himself.
“I’ve been an advocate for mental health, trying to show your emotions and express yourself, things like that,” Williams said to the Orange County Register’s Luca Evans.
“It’s something I’ve been doing since I was young and now, being on the national level, being able to try and share that awareness with the public.” …
Sports Illustrated
Concussion Ball is rife with toxic masculinity.
Caleb Williams is the opposite. Confident enough not to hide his emotions.
He was criticized by some dinosaurs. But I call Caleb a winner. Like Simone in Tokyo.
A good question.
The International Olympic Committee should be specific on what causes a nation to lose membership.
In the case of Israel, there is the additional issue of safety of their team at the Paris Olympics.
The 3rd year of NCAA NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS (NIL) is underway.
Unsurprisingly, the rollout has been inconsistent and unfair.
According to a study by Opendorse, the leading athlete marketplace and NIL technology company, the NIL market should grow by 11.2% to a whopping $1.17 billion. And while that’s great for all student-athletes, the lion’s share of that money is flowing into the 65 Power 5 football programs. …
More than half of $1.17 billion spent on NIL will go to 65 teams in one sport, report shows
Some additional facts from NIL year 2 via The Upside:
HOPEFULLY, the beginning of the NIL era may be remembered as a short-lived period of unregulated mayhem. The IRS is increasingly cracking down on booster organizing.
More regulation is needed. And it must be enforced.
All that said, I support College athletes getting MORE of the billion$ made by the NCAA.
But it should be done more fairly.
Livvy Dunne was the highest-valued women’s college athlete as of 2022.
One downside of fame and money is the need for security.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 