Category: safety

Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Russia’s Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected Russia’s appeal against its suspension by the International Olympic Committee …

“The CAS panel in charge of this matter dismissed the appeal and confirmed the contested decision, finding that the IOC Executive Board did not violate the principles of legality, equality, predictability and proportionality.” …

“The decision of the CAS panel is final and binding, except for the right of the parties to appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited grounds.” …

In December, the IOC granted permission for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at this year’s Olympic Games as neutrals. At the time of the announcement, the IOC stated that only eight athletes from Russia and three from Belarus had qualified as neutral competitors. In contrast, more than 60 Ukrainian athletes had secured a place at the Paris Games, which take place from 26 July to 11 August. 

Inside the Games

Russian military visiting Gymnastics clubs to inspire children to kill Ukrainians.

Russia should be banned from international competition until withdrawing from Putin’s war.

“It’s the Hard Knock Life”

Nobody knows better than gymnasts how to fall safely. And get back up. 

It’s not the falls that stop girls from training sport.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

My Ribbon, My Reason

Every gymnast dedicates the meet to the CAUSE of their choice.

UCLA 198.07 on Pride day

It’s a statement.

“Enhanced Games” with no drug testing?

One again, dumb people are planning a multi-sport games with no restrictions on performance enhancing substances.

Gymnastics included.

Here’s what happened last time this idea came up. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Canadian Pediatrics endorses ‘risky play’

Perhaps the word risky is not ideal in this article. 

Free play, mostly free from injury — but with minor risk of bumps and bruises is recommended for parents.

Certainly many in 2024 are helicopter parents. Too much oversight is not optimal.

Kids need to climb trees, jump off things, and ride their bikes—even at speed. That’s what the Canadian Pediatric Society is recommending in a new white paper: Healthy Childhood Development Through Outdoor Risky Play. …

But what about the physical danger that risky play sometimes involves? How can doctors—and parents and schools—ignore that? …

And as the Pediatrics paper notes, “The research has established that children are less likely to be injured while engaging in unstructured activities than when playing an organized sport.” …

Reason – Even Canada Thinks the Nanny State Has Gone Too Far on Outlawing Fun

#RuPaulsDragRace theme Floor

In your face, haters. 😀

Air Pit with Foam Topper

I need this pit yesterday. 😀  To me it looks ideal.

Guest post by James Tunley:

I want to share a training tool that can be used by gymnasts of any level.

This technology is new to the industry, based on feedback from coaches and athletes from previous generations.

Airbags replace foam pits because they are more hygienic, safer, and honestly have fewer issues.

In addition, foam pits are more expensive in the long run.

“The Gym Pit” from BigAirBag is not just a replacement for foam; it’s a training tool to help athletes progress.

The new air pit has a lift kit so you can control the height — so no more lugging mats around the Gym.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (no audio)

You can control air pressure to determine how hard or soft you want to land.

A more realistic competition landing would be higher pressure, but for training, you can lower the pressure to build confidence and skill levels. All is controlled from one unit.

Another bonus with this design is centralized landing.

Other air pits occasionally make you fall to the side. The foam topper makes for more stable landings.

Overall, air pits definitely outdo foam. Gym Pit is the next step forward improving’ safety and performance.

“As a coach, the idea of not having to do “pit day” ever again might have been all the convincing I needed! On top of the anticipated benefits of being cleaner and safer (level landing surface, adjustable firmness, and height) there were unexpected benefits as well. Efficiency during practice increased since kids can exit the pit quicker, less time spent fluffing the foam, levelling mats and restacking mats that tip and slide. With the flip of a switch, I can raise or lower the level of the entire pit to wherever I need it. One extra mat to land on or stand on for spotting!”

– Erin Rice, facility owner at SAGA and gymnastics coach.

Available in all custom sizes and shapes

Price starting €17.231 ($18.092)

Details.

should FIG require a proper “landing”?

Male FIG gymnasts must show control on landing. I’d say right now there is TOO MUCH emphasis on STICK in MAG FIG.

Obviously, FIG women have never been required to show control. Absolutely no control often results in a very small deduction for WAG.

I’m of mixed feelings on this question:

should FIG require a proper “landing”?

On the one hand, it would force coaches to include dismounts that are more fully mastered. A good thing. AND it would help separate the best of the best routines.

On the other hand, I fear more injuries on landing might result. Stepping or hopping out of a high impact landing is an excellent way to dissipate forces. Gymnasts trying to “SAVE” a competition landing could suffer more injuries.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Arkansas gymnasts competing for their CAUSE

Good idea.

Individual athletes can dedicate the next meet to an issue important to them personally.

  • mental health
  • LGBTQ rights
  • gun violence awareness