Those hip wraps were not healthy.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Category: history
East German coach Dieter Hofmann
When Hofmann died of COVID-19 in April 2020, the international gymnastics community remembered him as an innovator and mentor.
The tributes focused on his technical knowledge shared generously, on a coach “always willing and eager” to help programs worldwide.
None mentioned “The Rose.” None referenced the Stasi files or the pharmaceutical protocols. …
I attended a number of Hofmann’s coaching courses.
He was a coaches coach. Very good at planning. A proven winner. His team won no fewer than 52 medals at Olympic Games, World and European Championships.
I have no doubt that his main passion was beating the USSR.
BUT in that era of the DDR, you cooperated with the Stasi (secret police) or lost your job.
In that era of the DDR, if higher-ups told you to test new drugs on gymnasts, you did it.
I knew very little about all these new revelations — aside from the drugs he told us about at one coaching course. Some kind of steroids. They tried them on junior male gymnasts ultimately deciding that the benefits weren’t worth the risk.
Uncle Tim put together a career retrospective on Dieter Hoffman. So far as I can verify with contemporaries, it’s very accurate. Uncle Tim is a terrific researcher.
Read more …
Gymnastics-History.com – Code Name “Rose”: The Double Life of East Germany’s Head Coach
Philippines the fastest improving Gymnastics nation?
I led a week long Olympic Solidarity coaching course in Manila in 2011.
MAG and WAG.
Gymnastics was not well developed at that time. Good facilities just being built.
BUT it was obvious that the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines was passionate and determined to build.
Not too many years later they had a World and Olympic champion in Carlos Yulo.
This is only the 36th largest economy of the world.
Both MAG and WAG Artistic programs have grown quickly. What other nation has done so much in so few years?
They are still improving.
I share my excitement and profound optimism for the Philippines’ turn on the world stage. Long dominated by gymnastics powerhouses, the hosting of a global event by this beautiful island country is a tribute to FIG’s inclusivity and to humanity’s aspirations for independence and global solidarity.
FIG President Watanabe
Věra Čáslavská documentary
Don’t Look Away
Czech gymnast Věra Čáslavská won a total of 22 international titles between 1959 and 1968 including seven Olympic gold medals, four world titles and eleven European championships.
Čáslavská was known for her outspoken support of the Czechoslovak democratization movement and her opposition to the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia.
At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, she took this protest to the world stage by quietly looking down and away while the Soviet national anthem was played during the medal ceremonies for the balance beam and floor exercise event finals.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
Rebeca might be back in 2026
In a new Marie Claire magazine interview:
After her historic achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which established her as Brazil’s most decorated Olympic medalist, the athlete decided to take time off to care for her physical and mental health during a sabbatical year.
During this period, she did not compete in the World Gymnastics Championships for the first time since starting in the senior category in 2015, and is still considering plans for the 2026 World Championships and the 2028 Olympics, which should mark the gymnast’s last competition in the Olympic Games.
Men’s Jakarta Gymnastics Worlds Review & Key Moments
Another excellent recap from zhoxxyy.
Vault was the most impressive Final of many good Finals.
Artur has stuck 40% of his Vaults in high level international competitions.
There’s much, much more. Click through for the rest:
Jakarta Gymnastics 2025 MAG
Scores Review & Key Moments
MAG Record Breakers in Jakarta
Lauren is keeping track of historic factoids.
What MEN made history at the World Gymnastics Championships 2025?
Mamikon Khachatryan and Hamlet Manukyan (both amazing), Zou Jingyuan (4th gold on P Bars), Angel Barajas, Omar Mohamed, Dagur Olafsson, Sebastian Sponevik, Jameel Ali, and many more.
Click through for the details.
MAG Record Breakers in Jakarta
WAG Record Breakers in Jakarta
Lauren is keeping track of historic factoids.
Who made history?
Charlize Mörz, Lisa Vaelen, Kaia Tanskanen, Jun McDonald, Amanda Yap, and many more.
Read the details here:
The WAG Record Breakers in Jakarta
Singapore’s Amanda Yap makes history at Gymnastics Worlds ’25
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Donnell makes history
You’ve got to cheer Donnell Whitenburg for ALL he’s done in the sport.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 