Category: ethics

stretching the front of the ankle

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Of course there are some risks overdoing these kinds of drills.

Ortho resident physician here:

Although I love a gorgeous toe-extension line in artistic activities, this sort of technique, commonly used with gymnastis coaches can be quite destructive to the extensor tendons and stabilizing ligaments of the foot and ankle.

Often, relying on this method can easily lead to ankle and foot instability, premature osteoarthritis, and what is known colloquially as “turf toe” in athletes.

This method discussed by Ms. Mary-Lee Tracy relies on brute force, ergo passive plantar flexion as opposed to active plantar flexion (which athletes are using mid-maneuver).

I encourage techniques that involve active extension and strengthening, rather than brute force, to avoid unnecessary damage to athletes’ feet and ankles.

Iranian gymnast killed in war

Asian Gymnastics Union:

With deep sorrow, the Asian Gymnastics Union mourns the loss of Tara Hajimiri, an 8-year-old Iranian gymnast whose life was tragically taken in the recent conflict.

Tara was more than a gymnast — she was a symbol of hope and grace. Her light will never be forgotten.

We stand with her family and the Iranian gymnastics community in this time of grief.

May she rest in peace.

Enhanced Games are too dangerous

As they stand now, I’m strongly for everyone boycotting the proposed Enhanced Games.

Hopefully it won’t be financially feasible. Who’s going to pay for another multi-sport Games?

They plan to include Gymnastics — which is surprising as our sport has had so little doping compared with others.

Without question, some athletes will suffer health complications and possibly even death as they try to out-dope competitors.

VIDEO – Why It Sucks To Be A Gymnast

Many gymnasts will relate to this commentary.

For young kids, Gymnastics is fantastic — until the chronic pain from training begins. On average, kids are mostly chronic pain free until about age-10.

After that, competitive Gymnastics is not for everyone. It’s no failure to then switch to any other sport or activity.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gymnastics is for everyone

Equal opportunity for all.

Happy Pride Month. It’s celebrated in June in the USA.

16-year-old Palestinian gymnast severely crippled

Ahmed Al-Ghalban.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Letter to Sport Parents

A fantastic short video put together by Arsenal academy players for their parents.  …

Parents in Sport

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

consistency in Gymnastics judging

Kathi-Sue Rupp has a website dedicated to gymnastics judging.

It’s called Flipped Decisions.

Coaches will work towards the specific set of rules at their level of competition. It’s critical that judges apply those rules consistently throughout the season.

Summary: What Can be Done

  • Assign judging panels early enough so that judges can calibrate in the time leading up to a competition
  • Make sure the competition schedule permits judges to watch podium training or warm-ups
  • Head judges need to provide detailed feedback to panel judges in a psychologically safe pre-competition setting
  • Organize and participate in pre-competition and pre-season calibration exercises (like the NCAA Challenge) that provide detailed feedback.

Read the entire article:

Calibration in Gymnastics Judging

Will Graves – NAIGC interview

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE GYMNASTICS CLUBS (NAIGC) wants to “serve and expand opportunities for all levels of collegiate and adult gymnastics by providing structure for competition on local, regional, and national levels; facilitating communication; and building a community of support and camaraderie that encourages sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and fun.”

One part of that is offering the chance for anyone 18 and older to compete the Women’s Artistic apparatus. Anyone can compete the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics apparatus. Or both, if you choose.

Freedom.

Top sports journalist, Will Graves, covered their 2025 Nationals in Pittsburgh, PA from April 2-5.

He wrote an important article for the Associated Press. It’s important because Americans are living under a Presidency that attacks minorities to gain votes from the intolerant. The GOP hopes to motivate people to show up to vote by encouraging them to HATE.

Trans athletes are under more scrutiny than ever. Some have found a safe space in gymnastics

Click PLAY or watch an interview on YouTube.

Gender MIXED Gymnastics at L.A. Olympics

Just announced.

Details NOT yet announced.

Expanded mixed events: archery, athletics (4x100m mixed relay), golf, gymnastics, rowing coastal beach sprint and table tennis will all see the inclusion of a new mixed team event.

This seems to be part of the attempt of the IOC to have an equal number of men and women’s teams. An equal number of Olympic medals for male and female.

On the other hand, for Gymnastics, the quota of a maximum of 96 athletes in Artistic stays the same. Therefore, any mixed pairs would have to come from the pool of already qualified competitors.