Rutgers coach Umme Salim-Beasley on paid leave

Rutgers head gymnastics coach Umme Salim-Beasley has been placed on paid administrative leave after an external investigation found that she “lost control” of her program and at times “presided over a divided and dysfunctional organization,” all while having an undisclosed relationship with former athletic director Pat Hobbs that violated University policy

Rutgers places embattled gymnastics coach on leave after damning investigation

Public records reveal more insight into ongoing Hobbs, Salim-Beasley investigation

Woodward West Action Sports Camp

I coached at Woodward West several times over the years. Loved it.

And was disappointed when they dropped Artistic Gymnastics as one of their activities.

That fantastic facility close to Los Angeles is still busy, busy.

For example, there’s a Freestyle Trampoline Camp July 6-11, 2025 (week 4).

Not inexpensive at $1599 for the week. But you could get a $150 discount through the FTA.

If you don’t know Woodward West, definitely check their video.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

GymCastic on Bluesky

@GymCoaching on Twitter is no longer posting nor commenting. Owner / dictator Musk has gotten increasingly dangerous. We are boycotting X.

If YOU are trying to quit Twitter, as well, follow GymCastic on Bluesky, instead.

So far, Bluesky seems the best gymternet alternative.

Here’s their wrap-up of week 2 WAG NCAA.

New Podcast is up:This week we discuss: * The Sprouts Meet* OU vs. LSU* Safesport * Update on Ella Zirbes (Utah) FX incident* Olympic medalist, Ana Barbosu (ROM) is headed to Stanford* A Mini-Commission on the Best UCLA Choreography of all time* & more! gymcastic.com/still-no-10s/

GymCastic (@gymcastic.bsky.social) 2025-01-14T18:22:18.825Z

Anna Li and Jiani Wu suspended by SafeSport

Legacy Elite is a gymnastics club in Aurora. Head Coach Anna Li and her mother, Jiani Wu, have been suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport after a nearly six-year investigation.

SafeSport’s disciplinary database lists the misconduct as “physical and emotional.” …

ABC 7 Chicago

Attorneys for the suspended co-owner and coach told the I-Team the allegations are, “categorically false,” and said they do plan to appeal. The attorneys also said their clients were, “under this type of cloud for years without an opportunity to fully resolve the matter. This is yet another case that clearly illustrates the Center is wholly incapable of reasonable investigations .”

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gymnastics Coaching leaving Twitter

Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022, there have been a range of issues and controversies that have concerned me.

Without question he allows dangerous people to post dangerous things. He himself is guilty of amplifying posts that endanger people. And Musk frequently posts things himself that he knows are wrong. Misinformation and disinformation.

Starting January 2025, Gymnastics Coaching will not post on Twitter. Not comment or respond to posts, other than to BLOCK. We’ll continue to lurk as it’s (surprisingly) still the best social media platform for gymternet news.

It’s likely to get worse, not better, in 2025. At some point we’ll quit permanently.

In addition to Twitter, I’d concur that Elon Musk has too much money and power. In particular, too much influence over the U.S. government.


Here are some of the problems according to ChatGPT:

Mass Layoffs and Talent Drain

  • … not enough personnel to manage content moderation or address security vulnerabilities.

Content Moderation and Misinformation

  • Policy Shifts: Under Musk, Twitter reversed or weakened many of its previous content moderation policies. This included restoring previously banned accounts (such as U.S. President Donald Trump) …
  • Rise in Hate Speech and Misinformation: …a surge in abusive content and lies, particularly in sensitive areas like elections and conspiracy theories.

Global Controversies and Legal Challenges

  • Content Moderation Legal Risks: Musk’s more permissive approach to content moderation led to concerns from governments and regulators in the U.S., EU, and other countries. Twitter faced potential legal consequences for not complying with stricter laws on online content and misinformation, particularly in Europe under the Digital Services Act.

Privacy and Security Concerns

  • Security Features Reduced: Some security features were weakened under Musk’s direction, including fewer protections for high-profile accounts and a decreased focus on tackling bots and spam accounts.

Challenges of Managing a High-Profile Platform

  • Musk’s Direct Involvement: Musk’s frequent involvement in Twitter’s daily operations has been both a blessing and a curse. While some see his hands-on approach as revitalizing the platform, others view it as erratic and unpredictable.

Conclusion:

Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has led to significant changes in the platform’s culture, structure, and functionality. While Musk’s vision for Twitter X as an “everything app” and a hub for free speech has garnered attention, the platform’s reputation, stability, and user experience have faced substantial challenges. Many users and observers are concerned that these changes could result in long-term damage to Twitter’s once-dominant position in the social media landscape.

German Gymnastics investigates abuse claim

The German gymnastics federation DTB has pledged to launch an investigation into physical and mental abuse allegations made by 24-year-old retired gymnast Tabea Alt.

On Sunday, the DTB told Germany’s DPA news agency that it “had concrete information on potential wrongdoing from coaches at the federal training center in Stuttgart.”

“The subject of the investigation will be possible misconduct by coaches as well as errors in the high performance sports system at national bases,” the federation said. …

The Street Journal

training Parkour safely

Elis Torhall is the 2024 Freestyle World Champion.

HOW do you train triple back from an inflexible Bar without grips? Landing on hard surfaces?

Here he is training right before Worlds.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s some training footage from earlier in 2024.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

NEW Gymnastics NZ Training Guidelines

New training guidelines issued by Gymnastics New Zealand for all ages and stages of a gymnast’s development will help ensure the sport is a safe, fun and healthy pursuit for all New Zealanders.

… created by a working group of club managers, coaches, athletes, parents and code representatives, Gymnastics NZ education staff, and a consultant from High Performance Sport New Zealand …

The guidelines suggest a range of training hours that strike a balance between developmental considerations, pathway priorities, and technical requirements. They are based upon considerations including: 

  • the fundamental requirements of gymnastics training sessions.
  • age considerations
  • athlete stages
  • our unique New Zealand setting
  • provision of choice
  • a targeted approach to keeping gymnasts in the sport as they reach adulthood and beyond 
  • the key principles of Sport NZ’s Balance is Better initiative.

Time’s Athlete of the Year …

… What!? … It’s not SIMONE. 😀

Actually, I’m cool with Caitlin Clark.

Amazing athlete. And she’s done a lot for ALL women’s sport in 2024.