Giving Trans Kids a Sporting Chance

As throughout history, somewhere less than 1% of children are born transgender. It ranges from <0.1% to 0.6%.

Of course those children should have an equal right to participate in everything, including sport.

Each competition sport will have to have rules accepting children into either boys or girls divisions.

Sport New Zealand recently released guiding principles for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. Trans young people in Aotearoa experience considerable health and wellbeing disparities, as a result of stigma, discrimination and violence.  They face challenges within their own families, at school, in medical settings and in their wider communities.  

Engagement in sport has positive effects for psychological and physical wellbeing, academic performance, and sense of belonging, and can be a source of passion – a strong protective factor for mental health. …

Giving trans kids a sporting chance

I was excited to see Cat Runner win a new reality TV show. 10 amateur climbers competing for a cash prize of $100,000 and $100,000 prAna sponsorship.

It was impressive as Cat does not have much reach. He’s the short guy in the blue jacket.

It helps to have long limbs for rock climbing.

Cat identifies as transgender, one reason he’s a climber — an activity where gender doesn’t matter.

Finally — I’m disappointed with politicians and deplorable who are today trying to win votes, make money, and accrue power by targeting transgender kids and other minorities. Attacking some of the most vulnerable people in society.

That’s despicable.

#SpartanStrong MSU

February 13, 2023, a mass shooting on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. Three students were killed and five others injured.

#SpartanStrong remembers those innocent victims.

World record 1055 Circles in series

Vedant Sawant from Australia.

I once videotaped Jackson Payne doing 200 circles on Mushroom. Astonishing. Over 5 minutes long.

Click PLAY or watch Vedant on YouTube. Over 20 minutes. … 😕 … This can’t be good for the wrists. I advocate doing no more than 40 circles in series.

RUS will not compete Europeans

I understand the argument that some athletes suffer when their governments are banned from internationals sporting activities.

And I feel badly for those athletes.

That said, it would be even worse for the world if RUS and BLR were allowed to compete in Paris.

British Gymnastics – ‘Leap Without Limits’

Building on their Reform ’25 progress, British Gymnastics wants to put positive experiences for ALL at the heart of the sport.

The Vision at a glance:

  • A significant step towards delivering genuine lasting and positive change in gymnastics
  • Puts positive experiences at the heart of the sport
  • A united approach across all home nations, shaped by the gymnastics community
  • Recognises benefits gymnastics can provide for individuals, communities and society
  • New vision has received backing from within and beyond gymnastics

Details

Soviet documentary – Tatiana Groshkova, Elvira Saadi

Elvira Saadi coached in Canada. But was suspended by Gymnastics Canada late 2020, pending an investigation into abuse allegations.

She has not returned to coaching, so far as I know.

Tatiana Groshkova is age-49 as I post. She trained at Moscow Dynamo with Saadi. An astonishing gymnast — but Tatania was overshadowed by the many other stars of the late 1980s Soviet team. Training was harsh.

Click PLAY or watch a documentary on YouTube. (28min)

Spanish Men’s team accident

Joel Plata was hurt worst when their vehicle rolled multiple times. He was thrown through the windshield, ending up 15m+ distant. Broken femur and many more minor injuries.

Joel considers the result a miracle. He’s happy to be alive.

Here’s his statement in Spanish and English.

Derrian Gobourne reflects

The Queen” will retire after this season.

In this interview she thinks back to her coach Laura who had faith in her switching from Cheer to Gymnastics. And much more.

Teens need motivation ➙ e.g. Sport

I’ve always felt the average teen competitive gymnast is psychologically safer — on average — than their classmates.

Spending 20+ hours a week on a sport or activity has risks. BUT staying home scrolling TikTok and other social media may be even more damaging.

The Gym is one place in a teen’s life where profanity is rare. Structure is clear. Rules in place.

The culture of a Gymnastics club is far healthier — on average — than school or the mall.

Sadly, this is increasingly true in the USA according to a new study.

Of course this is even more true of teens identifying as — or confused about — being LGBQ+. One American political party is targeting those young people for attack.

Bottom line for coaches and all adults is to be patient and supportive of teenagers. It’s a difficult time of life for many.