Luba is our best source for what’s happening with some of the best gymnasts in the world.
Read her February 20, 2022 update.
Category: safety
FIG sanctions Russia
While it’s a shame Russian athletes must suffer, IOC and FIG are right to take action against de facto dictators invading other nations.
- The Russian and Belarussian national flags must not be displayed, and the Russian and Belarussian anthems must not be played at any FIG-sanctioned events until further notice.
- All FIG-sanctioned events planned to take place in Russia and Belarus are removed from the FIG calendar and will no longer be recognised by the FIG. No other events taking place in Russia and Belarus will be sanctioned by the FIG until further notice.
President Morinari Watanabe:
“Our thoughts go to the members of the Gymnastics community in Ukraine. Sport is friendship and solidarity. We must show solidarity with the members of our family who are in despair and offer them a helping hand to ensure their future.”
The FIG will ask the FIG Foundation for Solidarity to allocate special aid to support Ukrainian athletes and other members of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation hit by the war.
FIG
IOC – move Events out of Russia
IOC Executive Board urges all International Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus.
IOC strongly condemns the breach of the Olympic Truce
Commonwealth Games – podium protests permitted
- Medallists can show support for Black Lives Matter and LGBT+
- Protests subject to guidelines as hate gestures are forbidden
The 4,500 athletes expected in Birmingham this summer will also be permitted to wear clothing, armbands and badges on the podium to support social justice causes under radical new “guiding principles” for athlete advocacy due to be announced on Tuesday. …
Guardian
I’d call this radical — but progress. Homosexuality is still illegal in 36 of the 72 nations that will compete in Birmingham, for example. That should change sooner than later.
preventing teen suicide
Ian took his own life at age-14.
His family wants to offer options for any kids who might feel depressed at times.
The Live Hard Movement is dedicated to providing love and light within the darkness of those affected by the depth of depression and suicide.
Live Hard was of the Charities being promoted at this year’s Charity Choice Invitational in Washington State.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Pitt’s Pride leo
Ukraine & Russia hug it out
Olympic medal winners Oleksandr Abramenko and Ilia Burov celebrate their success with warm embrace at medal ceremony.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach called for political leaders “around the world” to be inspired by the athletes’ “example of solidarity and peace”. …
BBC
5 Parkettes coaches under investigation
… The notices of allegations against the five coaches were issued Feb. 10 and are not public, but a source with knowledge of the accusations provided details that they involve physical and emotional abuse primarily between 2013 and 2016 reported by at least 11 gymnasts. …
Parkettes owners and 3 coaches named in SafeSport allegations. Former athletes claim weight-shaming and sexual harassment at elite gymnastics club
IOC must set minimum Olympic age
It’s stupid and inconsistent to have different age requirements for the Olympic sports.
Especially if you can’t enforce Olympic rules for athletes under age-16.
By Paris the minimum age should be 16. Or even age-18.
The Recent Rise of Child Athletes in the Olympic Games
Utah 198.0 on Pride / Olympian Night
Season high.
The Utes celebrated both equal opportunity for all AND Olympians.
Opinion polling has shown an increase in support for LGBT rights in the state. A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute poll showed that 44% of Utah residents supported same-sex marriage, a significant increase from the early 2000s. …
Gymnastics Coaching.com 