Category: Olympics

Rhythmic judge banned – Evangelia Trikomiti

I’d stopped paying much attention to Rhythmic over the years due to blatant corruption.

But it seemed that Discipline had cleaned up their system, somewhat.

… Perhaps not.

A Cypriot rhythmic gymnastics judge has been banned for four years for manipulating scores to help her compatriot qualify for the Paris Olympics.

The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) found that judge Evangelia Trikomiti altered the scores at the European Championships to ensure Vera Tugolukova clinched the final European qualifying spot for the Olympics. …

European Gymnastics said it would consult with lawyers before considering an appeal.

The Cyprus Gymnastics Federation said it would “thoroughly review” the ruling.

BBC – Judge banned for helping compatriot reach Olympics

Viktoria Listunova to compete in Italy

Viktoria Listunova is an Olympic gold medalist in team with Russia at the Tokyo Olympics. And the 2021 European Champion.

On 18 March, 2022, Listunova participated in the Moscow rally in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And was banned from international FIG competition.

But she can compete in non-FIG competitions.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Morinari Watanabe – candidate for IOC President

Morinari Watanabe has visited 162 Gymnastics nations over his years as FIG President.

He’s one of 7 candidates for International Olympic Committee President.

Read his presentation in front of voters.

MW_IOC_presentationDownload

video analysis slowly, SLOWLY replacing judges

Obviously, video and analysis by computer is better than humans at calling balls and strikes in Baseball.

Video analysis is better than a human line judge in Tennis.

And I’d argue that FIG Trampoline competitions are more fair for the electronic analysis used supplementing human judges.

BUT progress has been too slow.

There might always be a role for human judges in Artistic sports.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (April 2004)

Li-Ning – Chinese apparel for 2025-28

After 16 years with Anta as the official sports apparel partner for the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), the company founded by legendary gymnast Li Ning is again providing uniforms through the L.A. Olympics.

Li-Ning named COC apparel partner for 2025-28

Both companies do bigger revenue than Nike and Adidas.





Wolfgang Hambüchen interview

Like everyone, I was a huge fan of Olympic Champion Fabian Hambüchen.

Three Olympics. Three medals on H Bar.

Father / Coach Wolfgang tells that his son was VERY inflexible in the hips when he started. But loved our sport.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

GBR: Barry Collie, Martine George and Gary Short

BIG announcement.

Barry Collie has been appointed as Head National Coach for Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Martine George as Head National Coach for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics and Gary Short as Head National Coach for Trampoline

… Martine has an extensive and decorated international career, most recently leading the French National Team to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.  

Martine can cite a huge list of major international coaching accomplishments in roles in Australia and France that have notably provided her with experiences at four Olympic Games and twelve World Championships.   

British Gymnastics

R.I.P. Ágnes Keleti

An inspiration to many, Ágnes Keleti has passed away at age-103.

Ágnes was a Hungarian artistic gymnast and coach who won multiple Olympic medals.

She was the oldest living Olympic champion and medallist, reaching her 100th birthday on 9 January 2021.

… one of the most successful Jewish Olympic athletes of all time.

Ágnes Keleti training at age-98

Scott Hann: 2 decades of coaching Max Whitlock

Scott Hann reflects on the many years and 4 Olympics coaching the greatest gymnast in British history.

After a remarkable and successful relationship came to an end this summer in Paris, Hann reflects on nearly 20 years working with Whitlock, his own gymnastics journey and his passion for developing the next generation of coaches in the sport. …

Max was 12 years old when we started working together at South Essex Gymnastics Club. He was a happy-go-lucky kid but someone with such good basics in gymnastics as well.

I remember taking him to his first major competition in 2006, the UK School Games as a reserve, but the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India was the moment where it all changed.  …

Inside the Games

10 WAG highlights 2024

  • Simone
  • Rebeca
  • Suni
  • Kaylia
  • Alice
  • Manila
  • Zhou Yaquin
  • Emma Nedov, Jana Mahmoud, Michelle Pineda and Hu Jiafei
  • An Chang Ok, Nina Derwael, Charlize Moerz, Melanie de Jesus dos Santos, Anna Lashchevska, Greta Mayer 
  • Chad

Click through for details.