Category: Gymnastics

World Champions 2017

Lauren Hopkins posted a detailed wrap-up of the AA final.

Historic in many ways.

related – 9 routines you shouldn’t have missed in Worlds qualifications

Canadian Coach Education revision

The change from textbook to digital media is nearly complete. A big improvement.

Digital media can be easily revised in future.

Click through to see a diagram showing the OLD requirements at the top for Gymnastics Alberta and the NEW structure in the graphic.

NCCP Summary – Revised September 6, 2017

Left to finalize are the Evaluation components of Comp 2 and Comp 3. 

petition demanding change at USAG

By any standards, response by USA Gymnastics to the Nassar scandal has been slow at best. I assume their lawyers are advising foot dragging in hopes of reducing the number of liability suits.

Three of Nassar’s victims ask you to sign a petition:

Jamie Dantzscher – 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Artistic Gymnastic

Jessica Howard – 3 Time National Champion, Rhythmic Gymnastics

Jeanette Antolin – Former USA National Team Member, Artistic Gymnastics

Change USA Gymnastics Leadership in Wake of Sex Abuse Scandal

People hoped that the forced resignation of President Steve Penny in March 2017 would make a difference.

Has it?

Penny got a $1 million severance package from an organization with annual revenue of about $23.7 million (2015).

If USA Gymnastics Chairman Paul Parilla resigns tomorrow, will USAG athletes be safer?

I’m not so sure. 

But lacking any other way to pressure a monopoly like USA Gymnastics, I signed.

 

safe, ethical spotting

In Canada we’ve long told coaches when spotting not to touch any part of the body covered by a bikini bathing suit. (Hips are an occasional exception.)

One gymnast messaged me to speak of her personal experience.

The Gym was her second home. As a little girl it was common for the coach to spot touching the buttocks of kids in her group.

By age 16 she became very uncomfortable with her coach spotting this way. She told him repeatedly to cut it out. He seemed unable to spot using any other technique.

Finally a less experience female coach was able to spot without grabbing the buttocks.

Here’s her message:

“… It is difficult to write about things that have become so normal and were never perceived as “wrong” by me. Coaches spot small girls on their bottoms from the very beginning, and this goes on as they get older. Almost maybe unaware of their own physical change and the innocence that goes paired with a coach following the way he spotted you from the very beginning. But the coach is the adult and especially at a higher level strong power relations can be involved.

Then suddenly you move to a new gym with new coaches and your eyes are opened. opening change… Something you thought to be impossible is suddenly is so easy. … the realization of the past kicks in. …

This is one of the many unintended consequences of spotting. The less spotting the better.

Kristian Thomas retires

Olympic Bronze medalist. Fan favourite. GBR captain.

Click PLAY or watch him on Twitter.

USAG responds to McKayla Maroney

“USA Gymnastics admires the courage of those, like McKayla Maroney, who have come forward to share their personal experiences with sexual abuse. Because of their strength in coming forward, predators can be held accountable for their actions. We, like so many others, are outraged and disgusted by the conduct of which Larry Nassar is accused. We are sorry that any athlete has been harmed during her or his gymnastics career.

“We are strengthening and enhancing our policies and procedures regarding abuse, as well as expanding our educational efforts to increase awareness of signs to watch for and reporting suspicions of abuse, including the obligation to immediately report. USA Gymnastics, its members and community are committed to working together to keep our athletes as safe as possible.”

USAG

SafeSport updates

If you are trying to make sense of recent accusations and denials online, click over to GymCastic.

Jessica puts together a summary at the 1 hour mark of the audiocast.

SafeSport updates about Dominque Moceanu, Mary Lou Retton, Michigan State, Jeena Nelson (a sex offender volunteering at Altius Gymnastics Club in Utah, not the one in WI) and 1992 Olympic Champion, Tatiana Gutsu has accused Vitaly Scherbo of rape.

277: Post-Worlds Therapy Session