Through Mattress Firm Foster Kids, Simone Biles encourages foster kids to pursue their dreams
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Category: ethics
the Caster Semenya debate
The majority of experts I’m hearing feel Caster should be allowed to compete against women.
Caster Semenya has claimed gold in the Diamond League‘s 800m women’s final, in what was her last race before the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) imposes controversial new rules limiting testosterone in female athletes.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) this week dismissed an appeal by the South African to set aside the IAAF’s regulations, which will require athletes with differences in sex development to take medication to reduce their testosterone levels.
The new rules, which have sparked a fierce backlash, will come into effect on Wednesday.
… After the race, Semenya was asked by the Daily Mail’s Riath Al-Samarrai whether she plans to take medication to comply with the IAAF’s regulations and she said, “Hell no.”
BBC’s Ade Adedoyin was told by Semenya that she has no plans to retire and plans to compete at the IAAF World Championships in September.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Miss USA on the “Me Too” movement
North Carolina’s Cheslie Kryst, 28, won the Miss USA pageant on Thursday and was celebrated online after supporting the “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” movements onstage during the pageant’s question period. …
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
At the Heart of Gold – May 3rd on HBO
I had high hopes for new USAG CEO Li Li Leung.
She asked to be judged not on her words, but her deeds.
Shortly after that statement USA Gymnastics bungled the vetting of a first full-time director of sports medicine and science. That’s a position that would truly help the organization.
A bigger test will be how Li Li Leung handles the public response from Erin Lee Carr’s new documentary. Producers Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich began this project before the criminal doctor’s accusers came forward.
At the Heart of Gold argues that Nassar succeeded despite the many complaints against him because the people who could’ve done something about them never acted on them.
He belonged to a system that protected him and cared more about his importance in winning gold medals than the wellbeing of the girls he harmed. …
‘At the Heart of Gold’ centers survivors as it condemns those who protected Larry Nassar
Future of the U.S. Olympic Movement
Reimagining Goals Beyond Medals
Date – Wed May 22, 2019
Washington, DC
Some argue that heightened focus on medals laid the groundwork for the sexual abuses that emerged in USA Gymnastics, which has caused deep soul-searching at the USOC and the sport-specific national governing bodies (NGBs) it oversees.
What’s next for the U.S. Olympic movement, as reforms are introduced?
What if the USOC focused first and foremost on the safety and well-being of athletes while also growing opportunities for all, not just those with medal potential? …
Shannon Miller will be one of the speakers.
whatever happened to MSU’s John Engler?
Recall the disgraced President of Michigan State University?
Forced to resign after bungling the Larry Nassar sexual assaults scandal?
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos just named him to a four-year term on the National Assessment Governing Board.
Rather than be surprised, recall that DeVos weakened rules intended to protect victims of sexual misconduct on college campuses. Both Engler and DeVos would discourage victims from coming forward. 😟
related – One bit of good news from MSU – With Engler GONE, the University is doing plenty on campus in support of April Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Li Li Leung interview
In my opinion, too many are too quick to criticize.
Give the woman a chance.
Let’s judge the actions of USAG, not every word of every interview.
Can Li Li Leung Save USA Gymnastics?
After years of turmoil in the sport, the new president and CEO wants to overhaul the culture.
Her salary is $450,000 / year and as much as $90,000 in annual bonuses. Almost as much as D-D.
In defence of Jerry Reighard
Kylie Fagan:
… Jerry was a great coach, mentor and overall great person who cared for every single one of his athletes.
I wanted to share an email I sent to President Robert Davies and Athletic Director Michael Alford on February 25, 2019. I have yet to hear back from either. So here is a quick summary of my awesome experience as a Central Michigan gymnast under head coach, Jerry Reighard. …
Jerry Reighard fired
Central Michigan University has terminated the employment of gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard, following an investigation that confirmed repeated disregard for the independent role of medical staff in addressing student-athlete injuries.
The latest incident, in February, involved Reighard attempting to influence a student to lie about or cover up concussion symptoms. A 121-page investigation report from CMU Faculty Personnel Services cites “egregious misconduct” by Reighard in attempting to undermine the university’s concussion management plan.
CMU will be searching for a new Head Coach.
new documentary on the USA Gymnastics scandal
… a feature-length documentary for HBO.
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal takes an in-depth look at the toxic environment within the ultra-competitive world of gymnastics that allowed for hundreds of young women and girls to be sexually abused by those they trusted most.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 