Category: Olympics

The Olympic Movement – where does the money go?

Its members call it, with an almost religious conviction, “the Olympic Movement,” or “the Movement” for short, always capitalized.

At the very top of “the Movement” sits the International Olympic Committee, a nonprofit run by a “volunteer” president who gets an annual “allowance” of $251,000 and lives rent-free in a five-star hotel and spa in Switzerland.

At the very bottom of “the Movement” — beneath the IOC members who travel first-class and get paid thousands of dollars just to attend the Olympics, beneath the executives who make hundreds of thousands to organize the Games, beneath the international sports federations, the national sport federations and the national Olympic committees and all of their employees — are the actual athletes …

“The athletes are the very bottom of a trickle-down system, and there’s just not much left for us,” said Cyrus Hostetler, 29, a Team USA javelin thrower and two-time Olympian who said the most he’s ever made in one year in his career, after expenses, is about $3,000. “They take care of themselves first, and us last.” …

USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus makes $854,000, and national swim team director Frank Busch makes $346,000; their swimmers competing in Rio next month can make monthly stipends that cap at $42,000 per year. USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach makes $362,000 while Team USA triathletes compete for stipends that range from about $20,000 to $40,000 a year. The coach of the USA Rowing women’s team makes $237,000 while his rowers vie for stipends that max out at about $20,000 per year. (U.S. Olympic athletes are given an additional stipend if they win a gold, silver or bronze medal.) …

Washington Post – Olympic executives cash in on a ‘Movement’ that keeps athletes poor (July 30, 2016)

Olympic budget

The IOC does many good things, of course. But as one of their frequent volunteers, I do feel remuneration for administrators is far too high.

Ukraine Rhythmic Group – Vogue

The BBC video from Rio is geoblocked.

But you can watch the same routine from the 2016 Guadalajara World Cup.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (Hoops + Clubs)

(via GymCastic)

Dutch Beam in Rio

Anchored by the eventual Champion Sanne Wevers, Netherlands had the 2nd highest team score on this apparatus.

Click PLAY or watch Olympic prelims on Vimeo.

Dutch coach Patrick Kiens presented at Ontario Congress just after the Olympics. (Netherlands beat Canada in prelims as a team by 0.2)

He feels the much acclaimed Dutch choreography on Beam is reminiscent of the Soviets from the 1988-92 cycle. More continuous movements, more interesting and artistic elements. An era when Beam choreography was more important.

If your gymnasts can do high level elements like Illusion and multiple turns, it’s smart coaching to use those in preference to risky tumbling sequences that require more pounding.

Simone and social media

Many Olympians in Rio had problems with social media. It seemed they’d not had training in how to manage stalkers, hecklers, etc.

It did go well for Simone Biles.

You don’t have to engage with those who try to bring you down.

When commentator Al Trautwig tweeted that Simone’s parents are not her parents (apparently because he doesn’t understand the concept of adoption…or much about gymnastics but I digress…).  Her response was a perfect eight words:

“My parents are my parents and that’s it.”

When called the “next Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt,” her response was a simple “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.” …

That comes from an excellent post – A DOZEN LIFE LESSONS TO LEARN FROM SIMONE BILES

Aimee Boorman moving to EVO in Florida

Details on People magazine. Ignore the sensational title of that post.

Her husband was offered a job in Florida and the family decided to move.

I’m sure these two will be very close for life.