Category: parents

“American Prodigies” podcast – Gymnastics

Search for “American Prodigies” on your podcast host to hear how Black girls moved from the margins of gymnastics to prominence. Interviews & coaches and gymnasts, journalists & academics for insight into what it means to be a Black girl in gymnastics in 2022.

Hosted by Amira Rose Davis.

I’m now subscribed.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

NEW Gymnastics Film – Olga

Olga is about a 15-year-old Ukrainian gymnast exiled in Switzerland, who is working to secure a place at the country’s National Sports Center.

But when the “Euromaiden” revolt breaks out in the country in early 2014, anxieties rise as her family gets involved.

This film isn’t about the current evens in Ukraine, but it is about a revolution in 2014 and related to Russia’s violent invasion in the country. 

Olga stars Anastasiia Budiashkina as the gymnast …

First Showing

Read a review from a Gymnastics expert.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Amanda Reddin stepped down

British Gymnastics’ head national coach Amanda Reddin has stepped down from the position with immediate effect.

In 2020, Reddin temporarily stepped aside while an investigation into claims about her conduct took place.

The claims were not upheld and her suspension was lifted, but another independent investigation is ongoing into “further historical complaints”.

British Gymnastics said it has been “mutually agreed” she will leave her role with the women’s artistic team. …

BBC

Baker, Memmel, Sacramone USAG

Though making decisions by committee is never easy, I’m still happy with these hires.

I don’t know Dan Baker. But everyone feels confident that Chellsie and Alicia will speak truth to power. I recall when Alicia was the only National Team member with the guts to question Marta. #respect

Baker’s broad focus will be on the Hopes, TOPS, and junior developmental program as well as talent identification. …

(Chellsie) provides the technical and coaching oversight of the High Performance Program and serves as the resident expert for training, competition and performance. Memmel will direct training and skill development at National Team camps and clinics and will travel to clubs around the country to help facilitate streamlined implementation of the program’s high performance strategy …

(Alicia) oversees strategic planning and guides the overall direction of the high performance program. Quinn will focus on the program as a whole and the overarching strategy for the National Team while also making the holistic development of individual athletes, physically and mentally, a top priority. …

Michael Phelps & Simone Biles

Two of the greatest athletes all time are advocating for mental health.

Phelps battled with depression.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Canadian class-action lawsuit

UPDATE: Gymnastics Canada has responded.

Amelia Cline — now a lawyer — is one of the athletes bringing forward a class-action lawsuit against Gymnastics Canada and provincial governing bodies, claiming lasting physical and psychological damages suffered over many years.

Amelia was coached for 3 years by the Lashins at Omega Gymnastics.

Click PLAY or watch National News coverage on YouTube.

gymnasts in Canada launch lawsuit

More than a dozen former Canadian gymnasts have launched a class-action lawsuit claiming lasting physical and psychological damages suffered over many years.

Amelia Cline is the named plaintiff and there are as many as 20 class members so far.

The proposed class of plaintiffs are suing Gymnastics Canada and provincial governing bodies in B.C., Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan alleging physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse while participants of programs and activities delivered by Gymnastics Canada and six provincial member organizations between 1978 and the present. …

CBC

Safe Sport: Critical issues and practices

Julie Stevens, Editor

Centre for Sport Capacity, Brock University
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

This is an Open-Access book, free for all.

Browse the book online HERE.

Overall, it’s the most complete summary I’ve seen so far on how athletes can be better protected.

  1. Introduction
  2. An Athlete View of Safe Sport in Canada
  3. History, Governance and Human Rights Perspectives about Safe Sport
  4. Legal Considerations and Safe Sport
  5. Organizational Action and Safe Sport
  6. Coaches and Safe Sport
  7. Officials and Safe Sport
  8. Safe Sport and Calls for Action

It includes a number of videos. Click PLAY or watch a sample on YouTube.

CONTENTS

I appreciate that the report does not focus exclusively on maltreatment.

True Sport Principles:

  1. Go For It: Rise to the challenge – always strive for excellence. Be persistent and discover how good you can be;
  2. Play Fair: Understand, respect, and follow the rules. Play with integrity – competition is only meaningful when it is fair;
  3. Respect Others: Show respect for everyone involved in creating your sporting experience, both on and off the field of play. Win with dignity and lose with grace;
  4. Keep It Fun: Find the joy in sport and share it with others. Remember what you love about sport and why you play;
  5. Stay Healthy: Always respect and care for your mind and body. Advocate for the health and safety of yourself and those around you;
  6. Include Everyone: Recognize and celebrate strength in diversity. Invite and welcome others into sport;
  7. Give Back: Say thanks and show gratitude. Encourage your sport group to make a difference in the community.

An abridged French version of Safe Sport: Critical issues and practices has been made available and can be accessed here.

Stevens, J. (Ed.) 2022. Safe Sport: Critical issues and practices. Ecampus Ontario. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/safesport Licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Canadian gymnasts call for independent investigation

More than 70 Canadian gymnasts are calling on an investigation into what they say is a toxic culture and abusive practices within their sport in the country.

In a letter Monday to Sport Canada’s director general Vicki Walker, the current and retired athletes said that the fear of retribution has prevented them from speaking out for nearly a decade.

“However, we can no longer sit in silence,” the letter said. “We are coming forward with our experiences of abuse, neglect, and discrimination in hopes of forcing change.” …

CBC