Category: safety

Tokyo Test Meets

The friendly invitational was successfully hosted in the 1964 Olympic venue with 22 athletes. A good start.

Before the Olympics, more testing of protocols is necessary.

Hidemasa Nakamura, the Tokyo Olympic games delivery officer, told an on-line briefing that plans are now in the works for more test events starting in March. However, he did not say what form these might take or if non-Japanese athletes would be involved. …

Tokyo Olympic officials, the International Olympic Committee, and the Japanese government are trying to convince the world that the postponed Games can open on July 23 despite so much uncertainty in the ongoing pandemic. …

Japan has been relatively successful containing COVID-19 with about 1,800 deaths attributed to the virus. The problem will be opening the borders to regions where the virus is rampant.

AP

England clubs lock down

Over the weekend the UK Government announced a lockdown in England from Thursday 5th November to Wednesday 2nd December. …

This news is incredibly disappointing. We know the gymnastics community has done everything to make the sport safe. And while we know the health benefits that our sport brings, the number of cases of Covid-19 continue to rise across the country.  …

We are acutely aware of the immense financial pressure many clubs will be under …

As with the first lockdown, we’ll support clubs in accessing financial support, grants and the furlough scheme. …

British Gymnastics

Club close as of Nov. 5th. Elite training can continue.

Hopefully clubs can reopen Dec. 2nd.

There are many other clubs around the world shut down. Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada, for example, is shut down again for a month.

That’s a shame as Gymnastics clubs seem to be one of the safest spaces for kids during this pandemic.

Ariella Käslin’s story

Ariella Käslin is a 2008 Olympian voted Swiss Sportswoman of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

I recall being disappointed when Ariella retired 2011. She seemed still top of her game.

She later wrote a memoir detailing her exhaustion, related depression, and concerns with former Swiss National Coach Eric Demay who was let go April 2007.

Read it on gymnovosti:

ARIELLA KAESLIN: THE DEAL WAS: “YOU DO THIS!”, AND THERE WAS NO REFUSAL

Click PLAY or watch her on YouTube.

 

 

 

Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act

It’s now law.

The act grants Congress the power to remove members of the USOPC Board of Directors, while it would have the ability to decertify national governing bodies in the country if they fail to adhere to requirements.

The act would also require the USOPC to give the US Center for SafeSport $20 million (£15.5 million/€17 million) in annual funding to do its work more effectively.

The act establishes safeguards designed to protect amateur athletes from abuse from coaches and other officials within Olympic and Paralympic sports. …

The bill is expected to see the formation of a 16-member commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics. …

At least eight members would have to be current or former Olympic or Paralympic athletes.

Inside the Games

I’m certain at least one gymnast will be included on the commission as this whole process was started because USA Gymnastics mishandled the case of their criminal doctor.

Kohei retests – comes up negative

… defending Olympic men’s … gymnastics champion Kohei Uchimura, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus this past week, has since been returned three different negative test results, the International Gymnastics Federation said Saturday. …

Mainichi

First test was a false positive. So Kohei should be able to compete in the upcoming friendly in Japan after all.

Larissa has COVID-19

Larisa Iordache stays optimistic, despite yet another setback.

Click PLAY or watch her dramatic new choreography on YouTube.