Watch the interview on BBC.
Call out bullies every time you see it happen. Take ethical action.
Category: safety
Worlds opening Press Conference
FIG makes history hosting Worlds in the Middle East
FIG President Watanabe thanked Ali Al Hitmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee, for his courage in hosting such an important event.
Actually, the media event started off with a laugh. Watanabe had arrived in Doha just in time. But security wouldn’t let him into the venue. They insisted he go get his credential first.
All agreed strict security is a good thing.
Watanabe spoke in English. He thanked media for coming to Qatar.
He first visited for Asian Games 2006. At that time our sport was not much developed. Watanabe considers it a miracle that only 12 years later the sport has come so far. Qatar has 3 competitors (2 MAG, 1 WAG).
I’ve been to the Gym here several times over the years. Ali Al Hitmi deserves much of the credit.
Aside from sport, I’m optimistic that bringing the world to Qatar will help advance the cause of human rights.
Svetlana Boginskaya unveiled the Worlds medals. In fact, Al Hitmi put a gold medal around her neck. She liked it. Very heavy!
chalking Bars at Worlds
Heart this on Instagram.
Between competitors China used towels on the mats to catch chalk.
Finished now, I thought the team looked better than expected. Calm. Ready. Beautiful form. The weak apparatus is Floor. Vault looks great.
Tom Forster on USA preparation
… People might be very surprised how much of our conversations, at every meal time, are about protecting the athletes versus working them harder. There is tremendous attention devoted to balancing their mental and physical rest with the work needed for them to be their best. …
“What if I’m not believed?”
An NPR podcast asks the question:
How did Larry Nassar get away with his treatment for decades?
Listen to it online. (18min)
Larry Nassar with Kerri Strug 1996 Olympics
how to stick Yurchenko triple twist
TaiShan equipment at Worlds
Most of the athletes have never used TaiShan apparatus before. It’s a test of who can adjust quickly.
For the most part the apparatus and the TaiShan crew looks to be good. A pommel broke today when European Champ Rhys McClenaghan was training. That’s odd.
Some of the guys told me the vault is hard. Landing mats hard.
Most of the discussion has been about Floor. Kenzo seemed to have trouble during podium training. Max and Dom seemed to be OK with it. Both Russians made triple back look easy.
Sam Oldham notes that the Senoh floor in Japan is soft. It has a bigger margin for error on take-off. Timing has to be more precise on the TaiShan.
I’m more worried for WAG — starting tomorrow — than MAG.
Kohei withdraws from the AA
His right ankle has not recovered sufficiently to compete FX or Vault.
During podium training he deliberately rolled out of landings to protect the ankle as much as possible.
update on CDN coach court cases
Sexual assault trial of Canada’s former national women’s gymnastics coach begins Monday
Michel Arsenault’s trial was moved forward to some time 2019.
USC pays $215m over gynaecologist sex abuse claims
The proposed settlement would compensate students who saw gynaecologist George Tyndall, whom hundreds of women have accused.
It comes a day after 93 women filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging it ignored complaints for decades.
Mr Tyndall has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. …
Gymnastics Coaching.com 