NCAA women’s (partial) injury list

It’s a dangerous sport.

See the continuously updated list on NCAA Gym News.

spotting is not illegal … yet

Still, the less spotting the better in my opinion. Assign more physical and technical progressions. Wait longer before doing the full skill with spot.

😁

Sarah Dvojack was angry with Nassar

So the children’s book author and illustrator drew  the survivors who spoke at the Ingham County, Michigan, hearing …

CNN

(via GymCastic)

Randall Margraves donates to Michigan groups

The father of three of Larry Nassar’s victims who tried to tackle the former USA Gymnastics doctor last week in court says he will donate more than $30,000 from an online fundraiser created in his name to Michigan groups that help survivors of sexual assault. …

… Margraves said in a statement Thursday he did not need the money and will instead donate the funds to “local charities like Small Talk, RAVE and the Firecracker Foundation.”

All three charities assist survivors of sexual assault …

MSU will fire Dr. William Strampel

I’d think Medical colleagues are even more responsible for a criminal doctor than are the other agencies under investigation.

Michigan State University has begun the process of removing the former dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and former boss of Larry Nassar, Dr. William Strampel, reports AP. …

Axios

Gymnastics Canada – Safe Sport

My gut feeling is that Canada is sincere in commitment to make Gymnastics training safer.

But has been slow getting to this point.

Having women’s national team director in national media did speed the process, I think. David Brubaker’s sexual-offence case returns to court Feb. 20th

The following are the initiatives that our community has committed to:

1. Immediately begin the staffing process for a full-time staff member at Gymnastics Canada dedicated to the area of safe sport.

2. Finalize the review, revision, and implementation of both existing and new safe sport policies by March 31, 2018.

3. The provincial/territorial gymnastics federations have committed to aligning their own provincial policies with these national policies to eliminate any gaps in implementation.

4. Gymnastics Canada will build and promote online resource toolkits related to safe sport participation for athletes, coaches, and parents and will continue to develop and add to these toolkits. ….

5. Gymnastics Canada will create a Safe Sport Update to be sent to the gymnastics community on a regular basis to keep everyone informed about updates, tools and resources, and more.

6. Gymnastics Canada, through a partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada, has arranged to make the “Commit to Kids” online training resource to the head coach and 1 other club-appointed individual at each gymnastics club in Canada at no charge. ….

7. The Gymnastics Canada Board has approved the formation of an Athlete’s Commission that will report quarterly to the Board of Directors as a standing point on the meeting agenda.

“The sport of gymnastics has been hit hard recently with the Larry Nassar trial in the US, and the charges laid against our own coaches over the last few months, but I am greatly encouraged by the passion and drive our community has collectively shown to make our sport better,” said Peter Nicol, President/CEO of Gymnastics Canada.

“We have heard the concerns from our community and we understand that they need to receive support and see action. We are committed to working together at the provincial and national levels to make that happen.”

Gymnastics Canada 

FIG responds on athlete safety

FIG President Morinari Watanabe:

FIG’s action will be built on three pillars.

The first pillar is to establish a safeguarding commission within the FIG to provide educational material for our national member federations. …

The second pillar is the involvement of our Athletes’ Commission ….

The third pillar is to establish an independent body to which any abuse case can be reported. This will include a helpdesk and the provision of legal support. We are aiming to announce this independent body once the FIG Authorities have approved the governance structure. …

Statement from FIG President Morinari Watanabe regarding US abuse cases

ABC TV – Nassar victims

I don’t think much would have changed without the victim statements.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – USA Gymnastics Creates Athlete Assistance Fund

Click through to make a donation.

in defence of Valeri Liukin

It’s probably easier for Gymnastics in the USA to start from scratch. Replace everyone who had any position of responsibility while Nassar was committing his crimes.

I understand it’s easier, too, for Valeri to resign. Otherwise there would be lingering doubt

Some of the coaches who know Valeri extremely well, however, are thanking him for what he’s done for the National Team program.

Read Tom Forster’s comments on Facebook.

Read Mary Lee Tracy’s comments on Facebook.

Who should replace Valeri?

My vote would be K.J. Kindler. But I doubt she would be interested in leaving Oklahoma.

 

Elite to NCAA … a catharsis

Will Graves:

… Kondos Field has long felt that college gymnastics offers “psychological rehab” for former elite gymnasts who spent their teenage years buried in the gym for 30-plus hours a week, a physical and mental grind that can leave some broken in body or spirit by the time they reach college.

That’s where UCLA’s Katelyn Ohashi found herself when she arrived on campus in 2015. Once one of the top juniors in the country, Ohashi’s senior elite career was derailed by injuries and struggles with body image that followed her to Los Angeles. …

College gymnastics offers catharsis in wake of Nassar furor