Category: safety

Diver Matthew Mitcham fights for equality

Matthew Mitcham is the 2008 Olympic champion in the 10m platform, and he is the 2nd highest single-dive score in Olympic history (at the time it was the highest scoring dive ever). This made him the first openly gay athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sticking the Parenting Landing: A Handbook for Parents of Gymnasts

by Betty Okino Benson (Author), Jacob Okino Benson (Editor), Valorie Kondos Field (Foreword)

I’ve not yet read the NEW book — but I’m certain it’s terrific.

  1. The Emotional Rollercoaster – The emotional highs and lows of gymnastics can be tough on both you and your child. One day they’re flying high, the next they’re down in the dumps. It’s a wild ride…that can be fun!
  2. The Time Commitment – Juggling gymnastics with school, other activities, and family time can be done but it takes a conscious effort so that hours in the gym don’t put a strain on family life.
  3. Safety Concerns & Injuries – Watching your child perform high-risk skills can be nerve-wracking. Ensuring they’re safe while encouraging their passion is a balancing act we can all perform.
  4. Communication with Coaches – Building a good relationship with coaches is crucial so that we can avoid as much misunderstanding as possible while working together as a team toward a common goal.
  5. Artistry and Performance – Helping your child shine artistically while meeting technical requirements is key. It’s all about finding that balance and there are ways to do it.
  6. Progressing Through Levels – Understanding the competitive gymnastics landscape, from scoring to expectations so that we can keep our child motivated and happy.
  7. Mental Health Considerations – The pressures of gymnastics, like anything else, can affect our child’s mental health. Proactively recognizing signs of burnout and stress is important for their well-being.

Amazon

R.I.P. Nguyen Minh Triet

Nguyen Minh Triet, 18, died at the Thanh Nhan Hospital in Hanoi on Thursday morning, seven months after suffering a neck injury that paralyzed him during training.

Rutgers Gymnastics under investigation

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

NEW book – Beyond the Chalk Box

Published Aug. 20 2024.

Interviews with Akash Modi, Justin Spring, John McReady, Kim Zmeskal, Betty Okino, Tracee Talavera, and more.

… unfiltered and heartfelt interviews presented in Beyond the Chalk Box. …

… the challenges and triumphs of former elite gymnasts …

Beyond the Chalk Box is not just a chronicle of athletic accomplishments. It’s a valuable resource for athletes, shedding light on the often-neglected aspects of athlete well-being.

It underscores the significance of a comprehensive approach to health, longevity, and joy in sports.

The book explores tools such as mindfulness, spirituality, self-compassion, visualization, and introspection, providing practical insights on how athletes can navigate the intricacies of their sport and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges.

Amazon

Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie is a holistic wellness and performance coach, physician assistant (PA), certified mindfulness meditation teacher, Army veteran …

A former 1996 Olympic Team Alternate and NCAA Champion, she now lives at West Point, NY, with her family and goldendoodle, Ollie.

winning athletes are fierce

Disclaimer ➙ Not ALL winning athletes are as fierce as Michael Jordan. But many are.

It can be difficult to find a healthy life / sport balance.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Ellie Black wins Paris Olympics Fair Play Award

Having followed Ellie’s Elite career closely, I’d confirm that there’s no more enthusiastic booster of the sport who’s so respectful of others. Ellie will take time to encourage young gymnasts everywhere she goes.

Scott Bregman:

Four-time Canadian gymnastics Olympian Ellie Black has won the Paris 2024 Fair Play Award …

The award, a joint initiative by the IOC and CIFP, recognises athletes who exemplify the spirit of fair play, sportsmanship, and respect for others. …

“It was a real joy to have a list of over 20 good candidates living the values of Fair play during the Olympics, and in Ellie we have a well-deserving winner.” stated HSH The Princess Nora of Lichtenstein a member of the Jury …

IOC – Canadian gymnast Ellie Black wins Fair Play Award at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

false accusations are rare

Sexual harassment is still common in 2024.

Mostly men harassing women and girls.

It’s not often reported — sadly — for multiple reasons.

When reported, I guesstimate far more than 90% of accusations are true.

Of course accused are innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If you happen to see a possible incident in public, start videotaping. Evidence.

I like this graphic posted by Tomas Pueyo on the Uncharted Territories substack. Subscription.

Sifan Hassan wears hijab on Olympic podium

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hassan secured a bronze medal in both the women’s 5,000 m and 10,000 m events and gold in the women’s marathon, becoming the only woman to win the Olympic gold medal in 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and Marathon race.

She competed both Tokyo and Paris.

Nice political gesture here. Nobody should be telling women what they can and cannot wear.



Simone: “I love my black job”

Old former President Trump spoke last week to Black journalists telling them that immigrants are taking “Black jobs.”

He should learn to read a room. That’s not what that group wanted to hear.

Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), was one of the many uninformed who criticized Simone for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics for safety reasons related to mental health.

“I love my black job”: Simone Biles takes apparent dig at Trump

I fear that American ReTrumplicans are going to disparage the L.A. Olympics 2028.

Trump helped with that bid — but it seems on brand for him to hate the Olympics as he hates most everything, aside from the rich.