Category: history

Jamie Dantzscher interview

One of GymCastic’s best yet. 

Jamie Dantzscher was a 2000 Olympic medalist, at the end of the darkest era of USA Gymnastics in my opinion.

She went on to a fantastic career at UCLA. One of the greats of all time. She led UCLA to 3 NCAA Championships in four years.

But we know Jamie best as one of the most vocal critics of the Karoli years. And her February 2017 60 Minutes interview alongside  Jeanette Antolin and Jessica Howard accusing the USAG criminal doctor.

What makes this interview so winning is Jamie’s blunt honesty. Down to earth. Saying what she thinks.

I was totally won over. Let’s all wish Jamie Dantzscher well.

You can listen online or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

IT’S JAMIE DANTZSCHER YOU GUYS

MostepanovaFan YouTube channel

Early followers of the gymternet recall the excellent MostepanovaFan channel launched 2008, one of the best in the early days of YouTube.

She’s back uploading. Be sure to subscribe.

Other good online resources of the day included Aunt Joyce’s Ice Cream Stand, Spanny Tampson’s Big Fake Smile, and Blythe Lawrence’s Gymnastics Examiner.

Click PLAY or watch a Bars release montage from 2010 on YouTube.

Thanks George.

R.I.P. Dieter Hofmann

One of the most successful coaches of all time, Dieter Hofmann of East Germany died April 19th, 2020 at the age of 79.

For decades he worked closely with Hardy Fink.

 

Emily May – 1981 Bars

Korbut salto. TONS of original elements.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/intlgymnast/status/1240406043525611525

Aleftina Priakhina – double double 1986

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/intlgymnast/status/1248339348120055814

John Prine was a gymnast. R.I.P.

Many of my generation were big fans of John Prime.

The singer songwriter died April 7, 2020 of complications caused by COVID-19.

Age-73.

Prine competed for Proviso East High School in the Chicago suburbs. Chicago was well known for excellent Pommels in that era.

“… it was gymnastics that got me through high school!”  

John Prine

Via NCAA MEN’S GYMNASTICS ALUMNI.

 

1992 Olympian Cristina Bontaș

A Romanian superstar, Cristina today is coach at World Class Gymnastics in Canada.

Click PLAY or watch a charming mini-feature on YouTube.

Thanks Elizabeth.

Cirque du Soleil – 60 minute special

Cirque on April 3rd posted another FREE hour long video edit.

This one includes the incredible Amaluna Bars act — dozens of skills included from all era’s of Asymmetric Bars history.

Enjoy.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Alec Yoder remembers coach Gene Watson

Sad news. A great man died.

Alec moved to Ohio State in 2015 but still called Gene Watson his coach.

Read Alec’s memories on his Facebook page.