Category: safety

excellent Simone interview

Simone Biles is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact.  …

Who are your role models?

I feel like I have a lot, and I feel like it varies between in the sports world or in my own personal world. But I feel like my biggest role model would be my mom. I hope to be half the person she is. She’s very strong-minded, opinionated. She stands on her own. She’s a great businesswoman. …

Do you want to be a mom?

I do want to be a mom one day. I think kids would be amazing. …

USA Today – Simone Biles is an inspiration, whether competing or ‘pushing mental health to the forefront

Canadian gymnasts call for independent investigation

More than 70 Canadian gymnasts are calling on an investigation into what they say is a toxic culture and abusive practices within their sport in the country.

In a letter Monday to Sport Canada’s director general Vicki Walker, the current and retired athletes said that the fear of retribution has prevented them from speaking out for nearly a decade.

“However, we can no longer sit in silence,” the letter said. “We are coming forward with our experiences of abuse, neglect, and discrimination in hopes of forcing change.” …

CBC

Illia Kovtun interview

Our Worlds AA bronze medalist has been on the World Cup circuit since before the start of Putin’s invasion.

So far his family is safe. But he’s very worried.

How NIL Reshaped Women's Gymnastics (With Alyssa Roenigk from ESPN) – Blind Landing

As the first generation of NIL gymnasts close the chapter on their NCAA careers this week, ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk sits downs with Blind Landing host Ari Sapersein to look back at the stories that have defined this new era. They look back on Livvy Dunne's popularity, Leanne Wong's bow empire, Cecile Landi's tenure at University of Georgia and more. Check out Alyssa's reporting at ESPN.com and on social at @alyroe. Blind Landing is an award-winning independent podcast. You can support the work we do by leaving a rating and review, sharing this episode with your friends and by leaving us a virtual tip at linktree.com/blindlanding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  1. How NIL Reshaped Women's Gymnastics (With Alyssa Roenigk from ESPN)
  2. Accountability In Gymnastics: Part 2
  3. Accountability In Gymnastics: Part 1
  4. Announcement From Blind Landing
  5. Paris Olympics: Floor Controversy & Athlete Camaraderie (feat. Olympians Betty Okino & Shallon Olsen)

Stella Zakharova in Ukraine

Stella Zakharova — now age-58 — was Olympic team champion in 1980.

Worlds team champion in 1979 Fort Worth.

This war is stupid.

Support gymnasts in Ukraine

Head coach of Ohio State’s men’s gymnastics team and former gymnast with three Olympic medals, including two gold, is sending out a plea to help gymnasts in Ukraine.

You can help! …

Details

You can Venmo funds to Rustam Sharipov and he’ll personally make sure tape, grips and other supplies get to gymnasts who need them.

happier, healthier coaches & gymnasts

Kim Shore was a great gymnast, a Gym Mom, past Director for Gymnastics Canada — and an important voices for improving Gymnastics culture.

This interview is excellent information for all coaches, parents and sport leaders.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

BEST Air Pits 2022?

One Gym I know is considering Air Pits as they can’t put anything in-ground in their facility.

Question:

What are the best Air Pits available? Speed of inflation? Mobility?

SAFETY for young Artistic gymnasts?

I do like the Pit Pillow top mat.

Leave a comment if you have one you can recommend.

Here are some options:

Click PLAY or watch BigAirBag on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch Air Track Italia on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun on the Russian invasion

International Gymnast Online interview

The 18-year-old Kovtun, who finished 11th all-around at last summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo and third all-around at last fall’s World Championships in Kitakyushu, has maintained his composure on and off the apparatus since the invasion of his homeland began February 24. …

IGO: Congratulations on your gold and silver medals in Cottbus, and your gold, silver and bronze medals in Doha. Given the situation in your country, how did you manage to maintain your focus to perform so strongly in those finals?

IK: Thanks a lot, I’m very pleased. I tried and fought to the bitter end. My family and my coach (Irina Nadyuk) support me. We are all walking the same path together. I was scared for my people, for our freedom, for relatives and friends, but the coach and my parents set me up and helped me to go through the competition proudly for our people and represent our country with dignity.

IGO: What is the situation like for your family in Ukraine right now? How they are living and managing to survive?

IK: Our families live in fear and hear air raid sirens all the time …

IGO:  What can people do to help Ukrainians, and especially Ukrainian gymnasts and their coaches?

IK: Almost the whole world is helping Ukrainians, both financially and morally. Many countries are taking our families to their homes and helping them in society. Gymnastics clubs in different countries are ready to accept our gymnasts with their families, and provide accommodation, meals and a place to practice. …

Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun: ‘God is with us and the truth is on our side’
https://twitter.com/intlgymnast/status/1501927265545957384

Valeri Liukin update

GymCastic reports that Valeri is not under consideration for women’s high performance director at USAG.

Liukin is under investigation by SafeSport for allegations of verbal and psychological abuse, and gymnasts McKenzie Wofford and Megan Marenghi spoke about their experiences at WOGA to the OC Register.

International Women’s Day

As Artistic Gymnastics is one of the domains where females are more popular than males, we have a role to play in helping girls and women gain equal opportunity everywhere else.