Category: Olympics

Eythora Thorsdottir & Tisha Volleman

… of the Netherlands talk about making history with their team at 2015 Worlds in Glasgow, qualifying the Netherlands to the Olympics games for the first time in 40 years in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.

The Dutch have blown us all away with their fresh outlook on artistry and both Thorsdottir and Volleman talk about the emphasis on performance quality and entertainment value within the Dutch program.

Inside Look: Journey to the Games – Episode 3: Eythora Thorsdottir and Tisha Volleman

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Zou Kai is back

Though he’s not competed since 2014, the veteran is listed to compete the Doha World Cup.

zou-kai

With a total of five gold medals and one bronze, Zou currently holds the record for most Olympic gold medals won by any Chinese athlete in Olympic history, and is tied for the record of most medals won overall. …

Zou Kai, a Sichuan native, auctioned off one of his Olympic gold medals in 2008, donating all proceeds to fund relief efforts in the aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Thanks Ono.

Rio Test Event registrations

Looks like Russia and Japan will send no female gymnasts. Happily, USA will send two. 🙂

North Korea declined opening spots for one gymnast each from COL and IND.

GA_2016_TEV_Rio_Definitive Registrations

Here’s the official PDF.

(via The All Around Gymnastics News)

Canadian Olympic Committee spending

Hmm.

The Canadian Olympic Committee spent $2.9-million on a new boardroom, hundreds of thousands of dollars on outside lighting, and more than $1-million on a launch party for its new headquarters in Montreal. …

The project received $3.5-million from the government of Quebec, $3-million from the Canadian government and $2-million from the City of Montreal, in addition to private sponsorships and other revenues. …

Globe and Mail

canadian_olympic_house-1

‘It’s difficult to accept:’ Canadian Olympic Committee criticized over cost of new headquarters

Thanks Cordelia.

Moreno & Lago to Olympic Test Meet

…  21-year-old Alexa Moreno and 20-year-old Ana Lago proved to be the two strongest gymnasts in the country and were thus chosen for the two available spots at the Olympic Test Event in Rio this April. Moreno placed first in the competition with a 53.2 while Lago was close behind with a 52.825. …

Gymternet

The fantastic Elsa García was not selected. At age-26, she’s considering her future.

Hopefully Elsa will stay on for the next quadrennial. I’m certain the Mexican team could use her leadership.

Gabby Douglas – your life’s blueprint?

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I want to ask you a question. What’s in your life’s blueprint?”

Thank you Dr. King for the powerful words and inspiration! Tell me your story #powerofone #justdoit

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s the Facebook version.

Click PLAY or watch African History Month – Gabrielle Douglas Profile on YouTube.

Gabby recently donated some of her Olympic mementos to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Thanks Mary.

more Trinidad & Tobago drama

I’m disappointed in the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation for over-reacting to a photo supposedly of its 2015 Sportswoman of the Year nominee, Marisa Dick.

New topless photo rocks gymnastics; Marisa and Thema sent to disciplinary committee

They should have downplayed the issue. It’s no big deal. Both gymnasts should be focused on training. Not getting distracted by media sensationalism. 😦

Aly Raisman - ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue

Aly-Raisman

Romania starts on Bars

Gulp.

Start order at the Olympic Test Meet in Rio. Top 4 teams will qualify to the Olympics.

WAG Rio Test

MAG Rio Test

See details – including the individuals – on Belgian Gymnastics.

UPDATE – Rumour is that Belarus will withdraw their Men’s team. Belgium would compete.

Inside Look: Marian Dragulescu

Marian says he’d like to continue competing at least until 2017 – European Championships in Romania.

In our second episode of Inside Look: Journey To The Games we have the privilege to speak with Marian Dragulescu from Romania.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Olympic Diving qualifications

Diving at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Qualification

… a total of 136 athletes coming from the different nations; each has been allowed to enter not more than 16 divers (up to eight males and eight females) with only two in individual events and a pair in synchronized events …

‘I’m absolutely shocked,’ says Jamaican diver after winning World Cup silver and place at Rio 2016 Olympic Games

eventoteste_saltosornamentais_parqueolimpico_marialenk_alexandreloureiro_22022016_0077_0

Thanks Tom.