tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
There’s a bit of a storm over on The Twitter.
In the latest GymCastic audiocast Spencer and Jessica were discussing whether or not it’s a good idea to coach in a skirt.
Potential #WardrobeMalfunction.
Consensus is that it’s better not to wear a skirt while coaching. Just in case. Jury is out on whether or not skirts are stupid, in general. 😀
Don’t get them started on high heels while coaching.
This message is slowly getting through to mainstream sports media.
But I did see a few during Commonwealth Games coverage. ☹️
Heart this tweet.
I’m one of those who doesn’t see any way around USAG going bankrupt.
If even one court starts awarding money to athletes abused by the National Team Doctor / criminal, they’ll have to pay out to victims as much as possible. And shut down.
If they survive, I like this goal.
Rhonda Faehn:
… USA Gymnastics hopes within a month to have a temporary home for four training camps this year and six to eight annually in 2019 and 2020 while it looks for a permanent location that can service all of USA Gymnastics, including the men’s team and the rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline and tumbling programs as well. …
… “The goal is to find the best fit and the best opportunity for all the disciplines, and that is going to be the top priority – what is the best setup, an airport with a lot of direct flights …
Houston selection camp a breath of fresh air for U.S. women’s gymnasts
Ideally they’ll find a title sponsor to build that facility. Or some billionaire.
Colorado Springs works well for the Men. Any alternative would have to be as good. Something like the AIS.
Gymnastics was one of the 8 founding sports of the Australian Institute of Sport 1981.
Click PLAY or watch some training footage on YouTube.
Chalk It Up Buttercup is the YouTube channel of 8-year-old Buttercup.
In this excellent video Buttercup and her coaches talk about keeping gymnasts safe, especially on appropriate and inappropriate touching.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This is the video I’ll be showing to kids. It’s relatable and balanced. #BurnItAllDown types seem to want to ban all spotting. That’s dangerous, of course.
(via Aimee B)
After the death of super skilled aerialist Yann Arnaud I find myself getting more worried for performers.
Steve Harvey just about has a heart attack on stage.
Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.
USA Gymnastics reached in December 2016 a confidential out-of-court settlement with an NDA with Olympic champion McKayla Maroney.
But were there others?
We’d believed McKayla was the only one.
After Scott Reid turned up two more cases, here’s the response:
“USA Gymnastics answered specifically and truthfully in its response to Senators Blumenthal and Moran.
USA Gymnastics does not use or require a non-disclosure agreement as part of an investigation.
The Senators asked about investigations, not settlements. To clarify the facts, approximately 10 years ago, mutual settlements were separately reached in two publicly filed lawsuits. As you recited, the settlement agreements included routine language that the plaintiffs would not disclose the amount of the settlement or the terms of the agreement beyond family, accountants and taxing authorities.
The plaintiffs in these cases are not bound by any other confidentiality restrictions, and their allegations have always been a matter of public record. USA Gymnastics encourages them to speak about their experiences if they so choose to help prevent abuse in the sport. …
USA Gymnastics denies using non-disclosure agreements, but two settlements say otherwise
Thanks Jim.
The United States Center for Safe Sport opened on March 3, 2017. …
In its first year, the center banned 122 people, temporarily suspended 60 and delivered 10 sanctions short of ineligibility. …
The Center for Safe Sport has nine full-time employees and several investigators that work on contracts. Pfohl hopes to double the organization’s workforce this year and increase its budget from its current $4.3 million to about $8 million. …
Safe Sport also receives funding from the private sector and is hoping to work with Congress to identify additional funding sources. …
… organization is not just about investigations and punishment. It wants to improve awareness and education to prevent not only sexual abuse, but bullying, harassment, hazing and physical and emotional abuse.
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Do you allow one-on-one private lessons at your Gym?
Better would be two or more gymnasts with one coach for a private. In a Gym with many other adults.
UPDATED with input from Goldie.
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is the National Olympic Committee for the United States. It’s based out of Colorado Springs.
USOC is the organization recognized by the the International Olympic Committee.
Similarly, USA Gymnastics ( USAG) answers to the USOC.
USOC could decertify USA Gymnastics and indeed they made that threat. As a result the entire board resigned on January 26, 2018
All those organizations are natural monopolies , not much subject to market forces.
You can quit USAG and go to the United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs, but getting to the NCAA will be more difficult. Olympic qualification impossible.
If interested in this topic read a WSJ article by Steven Sexton. Subscription may be needed.
There can be only one Team USA, so Congress must provide oversight and force changes.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 