Gymnastics commentator Olly Hogben

In 2011 Olly Hogben was a drama teacher. He had no training in broadcasting.

By 2016 he was announcing at the Rio Oympics.

Dvora Meyers interviews one of our favourite Elite Gymnastics announcers:

DM: As a commentator, what do you see as your primary job? Is it educating the viewers? Entertaining them?

OH: This is a great question! For me it’s clear—I am here to help people enjoy the sport. … What I try to do—and hopefully sometimes succeed [at]—is to talk to the hardcore fans one minute, then the total novices, then move to those who need a quick recap. …

DM: Were you surprised by how you’ve been embraced by gymnastics fans? Also, aren’t you also a little terrified by the gymternet? I know that I sometimes am, which is generally a good thing since it keeps me from writing dumb things.

OH: I’m shocked at how I’ve been embraced, to be honest! It was in Glasgow last year that people really started to react positively to my commentary and I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t …

Click through to read the whole interview.

https://twitter.com/DvoraMeyers/status/1197244466404511746

Note: Dvora’s excellent newsletter will be available by paid subscription starting Jan 2010.

Gymnastics coaches moving to Canada

All coaches in Canada must be certified through the National Coaching Certification Program.

If you move to Canada from another nation you can ‘challenge’ some levels. Approval is on a on a case by case basis.

If successful, a trained evaluator will meet with you at your Gym to observe your coaching and make a recommendation to Gymnastics Canada.

Details.

computer video analysis of Gymnastics

It’s great for the fans. And it COULD be good information for the judges.

Here’s some of what ESPN uses.

How “Tech Tools,” “Stream Team” and graphics elevate NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships coverage on ESPNU, ESPN2, ESPN3 and the ESPN App

Laurie’s back at Camp

I was a doubter.

We’ve seen how difficult it is for past Olympians (aside from Simone) to make a comeback.

#respect for Laurie Hernandez.

top sprinter started as a gymnast

Noah Lyles is the 2019 World Champion in 200m and 4×100m relay.

He switched to Track at age-12 because Gymnastics was getting so expensive. Yet Noah still loves Gymnastics and cheers Gator College Basketball.