For many Americans, football is religion.
This statement from Commissioner Roger Goodell is important.
On the other hand, no apology to Colin Kaepernick.
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
Category: safety
Dianne Durham speaks
Dianne Durham was the first Black American All-Around Women’s Gymnastics Senior National Champion in 1983.
She was one of Mary Lou Retton’s strongest competitors in 1984 but was injured during Olympic trials.
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The President of the United States Gymnastics Federation starting 1983 was Mike Jacki who’s recently made controversial statements online including that there is “no racism in sport“.
physical preparation for injury prevention
Dr. Keith Russell is one of the smartest Gymnastics people I know
A former Canadian Men’s National Coach, personal coach of Olympians Warren Long and James Rozon, Keith is expert in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and sports injury.
This is the first of a series of FIG Education online seminars organized because all regular FIG camps and clinics have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
One of Keith’s recommendations is to do fewer reps in our yearly training plans by working more strength / power and less muscular endurance. Especially for advanced gymnasts.
I recall Dr. Bill Sands stating a high level gymnasts should be able to complete all their strength / power training in about 30 minutes / day.
I like Keith’s simple graphics that help explain complex issues – knee ligament injuries, for example.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (53min)
Here are some upcoming webinars.
Tia Kiaku quit Alabama
Tia is no longer on the roster
Read her story on Instagram.
Bill Lorenz is the Vault coach, by the way.
The athletic department did post this general support of the protests against racism.
UC Davis’ Alexis Brown interview
Today Alexis is a student at the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London.
But in 2017 she began taking a knee during the national anthem prior to competitions as a symbolic protest of police brutality against black and brown bodies.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8OF-Qp60t/
Though some athletes and organizations praised her courage, Alexis recalls now the disapproval of coaches and teammates, and harassment from fans. In 2017 she was overall outstanding female athlete of the year in all sports at UC Davis.
The only black athlete on her team.
Listen to her on GymCastic #427:
Black Lives Matter
The Chancellor made a personal support of the protests.
tumbling at GAGE
What I like best about the Great American Gymnastics Experience facility in Kansas City, Missouri are the super safe home made mats.
As we return from COVID-19, most Gyms are training with matting on their foam cube pits. These on top and protecting the pit edge at GAGE are ideal. And easy to clean.
Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.
Utah on protests against racism
I’ve seen dozens of messages from gymnasts, clubs, organizations and Federations. All wanting to be part of change for the better.
Here’s one from the University of Utah.
Some organizations are blacked out today in support of protesters.
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
Why coach Amy Nyman was suspended
Amy Nyman has appealed the suspension and an arbitrator is scheduled to hear her appeal over three days beginning June 29.
Nyman, the New Heights owner and head coach, ordered gymnasts to do so many repeat rope climbs that the insides of their legs bled and their arms were too sore to continue training, according to the documents.
When a New Heights gymnast said she was afraid to attempt a balance beam skill during a 2016 camp the team was attending in Pennsylvania, Nyman ridiculed the girl in front of her teammates, then made her do a series of sprints up a hill and 1,000 push-ups, according the SafeSport documents. …
SafeSport: Amy Nyman made gymnasts feel ‘scared, degraded and humiliated’
Confidential documents detail case against wife of former USA Gymnastics sports medicine and science director
Ella Douglas interview
In appreciation of LGBTQ Pride Month, June in the USA, I’m linking to an entertaining interview on the Half In, Half Out LGBTQ+ Podcast.
Listen to out Canadian gymnast Ella Douglas who was Co-Captain of the MSU team in 2020, her Senior year.
https://twitter.com/MSUgymnastics/status/1236438930867851267
Ella was totally accepted by her team after announcing her girlfriend. Coaches, friends, everyone.
Ella will be a volunteer coach with MSU next year now that she’s graduated.
Of course there have been other Lesbian WAG gymnasts in College Gymnastics. And some have been open with that to friends and teammates while still competing.
Click through to listen.
Laurie Hernandez interviews Li Li Leung
Laurie is so well spoken. A natural.
This is an upbeat conversation.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 