This working group, chaired by Ms Donatella Sacchi, President of the FIG Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee, aims to propose and support various projects to drive positive cultural change in the Gymnastics world.
… a living group, meaning that rather than … permanent members, people from different backgrounds will be invited to take part in meetings depending on the main focus of the discussion.
… having athletes involved is crucial for the success …
… interested athletes to send their applications directly to the Safeguarding Unit at safeguarding@fig-gymnastics.org by 10 June 2021.
New working group on safeguarding – Information for athletes who want to contribute
Category: ethics
LSU addresses racial inequality
Volunteer Coach Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen is one of those interviewed by the LSU athletic department following the murder of George Floyd.
“Over half of Black full-time employees [53%] reported witnessing racial or ethnic discrimination in their workplace and 27% reported experiencing it, compared to only 12% and 4% of white full-time employees.”
LSU’s racial climate survey opens door for dialogue in athletic department
They look serious about making improvements in diversity and inclusion.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
FIG value of Yurchenko double pike
Exactly nobody ever claimed the Women’s Code was logical.
They can’t even find consistent spellings of named skills.
6.6 is the provisional value.
Spencer:
… It’s low for me.
I’ve mentally had this at 6.8 since we heard about it, and I still agree with me. But honestly it’s not as low as I thought they were going to go, and not as egregious a case of undervaluing as the beam dismount from 2019.
The problem with Simone’s double double beam dismount in 2019 being given an H value is that it did not adhere to any kind of recognizable precedent or logic established by previous values of other beam dismounts.
On beam, a double tuck dismount is a D.
Adding a full twist to that bumps it up three tenths to a G.
And then adding another full twist bumps it up…1 tenth? To an H?
Any logical progression falls apart pretty quickly, and the FIG’s post hoc explanation of the value as an effort to preserve the safety of gymnasts was fully laughable coming from an organization that, for example, doesn’t allow a touch warmup for event finals …
Balance Beam Situation

Dom Cunningham on missing Olympics
GBR Men had 3 selection events, all behind closed doors. (Same as other Olympic teams.)
Only 4 gymnasts compete Tokyo.
Dom was not picked.
The reserves have not been named, so far as I know.
Of course in most other sports like basketball, team selection is even MORE subjective. I wouldn’t want to be a selector.
It’s important to listen to the process from Dom’s point of view. He’s very passionate.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
gender neutral titles
Though not in my top 1000 issues 😀, it’s a good idea to progressively move away from gender specific terms.
Penn State and other American Universities, for example:

Don’t get upset — however — when new terms are mocked while we get used to them.
Canadian High Schools and Universities, by comparison, don’t use “sophomore“.
Thanks Judy.
Katelyn Ohashi’s BEAUTIFUL Mental Health Journey
Katelyn … ” describes her illustrious career as “broken.” The perils of gymnastics are well known, begging the question is it the hardest sport on the mind, body, and soul.
Listen closely as Katelyn details her personal struggle, mental health journey, and current well-being as she shares what’s really on her mind.”
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Tom Daley – Diver
Tom Daley was a a double World champion diver at age-15.
He’s 27 today. Still competing at the highest level.
Click PLAY or watch his story on YouTube.
Simone vs online trolls
#inspiring
Animated Simone Biles deals with online haters.
AND her new Beam dismount makes a return. Take that FIG. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Related – TikTok is adding a feature where you can batch delete annoying comments. We need more social media tools like this so people don’t feel forced to suspend their accounts totally when under attack.
Morgan Hurd for social justice
Morgan has been everywhere lately.
On the Half In, Half Out podcast.
The All Things Gymnastics podcast.
On the Tokyo Olympics REDDIT.
Morgan has things to SAY.
Read her piece on NBC SPORTS – Silence is compliance: Morgan Hurd’s call to action
Jordyn says: Get Vaccinated
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
