Former Team GB gymnast Sam Oldham is gunning for one last shot at Olympic glory – this is his story
… Oldham is out of Team GB and hasn’t competed at major championships in several years, yet he remains focused on making a surge for a place in the squad for Tokyo. …
“On paper, right now I’m in the worst possible place I’ve been in. I’m 26, not in the GB squad right now, my funding got dropped, I’m actually living with my grandparents. …
Worlds should not showcase dangerous skills from gymnasts not at the expected level of competition
Smaller, poorer nations should have a chance to compete against China
In 2019 we had medalists from Croatia, Ireland and Philippines, for example. We don’t want to reduce the chances of a future Carlos ‘Caloy’ Yulo having a chance to rise to medal contender.
I’m OK with lower level gymnasts competing Worlds so long as their routines are not dangerous. Recall Sri Lanka’s appearance at Worlds 2003? The audience loved them. Their routines were very basic.
I’m be OK with additional awards for Elegance. Or E-score. But rewarding difficulty for the sake of difficulty could be dangerous.
“The gymnast must never attempt to increase the difficulty or the “D” score at the expense of aesthetic and technical execution. …”
China 🇨🇳 and the USA 🇺🇸 were winners of the first Fujitsu Infinity Award – presented to the teams judged to have performed the highest difficulty skills at these World Championships.#Stuttgart2019pic.twitter.com/JYklwFJcry
Decided to compete the skill named for Spanish-Canadian Silvia Colussi Pelaez. And tries to connect it to a full twist dismount.
Note that FIG does not allow any extra landing mats for sideways dismounts. The short mat makes it risky for Nush to try to connect. That discourages originality.
The 2003 German AA national champion Ronny Ziesmer was paralyzed training Tsuk double back preparing for the Athens Olympics.
I was reminded of Ronny’s story watching the far-too-dangerous Vault landings at Worlds in Stuttgart. Obviously the rules should be changed so there is less incentive in chucking BIG difficulty vaults.
Is Ronny coming to Worlds?
* Ronny Ziesmer founded the “Alliance of Hope Foundation” which supports the worldwide research in the field of regeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord. Patron of the Foundation, the German Federal Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel.
* Ronny Ziesmer started three times at the Berlin Marathon (2009, 2010, 2011) in the handbike. His goal is to attend the 2016 Paralympics.
* Just now in October 2011 Ronny Ziesmer has just completed a very successful study of biotechnology at the German “University Lausitz” in Senftenberg (near his hometown Cottbus) as a “Bachelor of Science”.
* Ronny Ziesmer is also working for the biggest European and German TV station “ZDF” as a co-commentator for the artistic gymnastic events like worlds, Europeans or Olympic Games.
The Agency, European Gymnastics Service “GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL” supports and cared for these exceptional athletes in all its responsibilities.
I’ve yet to hear a complaint. Nine sets of apparatus.
Boss man Markus prefers to work with ladies as they are more careful and precise than us men. 😀
Note that FIG still approves apparatus with a single point of failure. If one part goes wrong, the entire apparatus can fall. No redundancy. I’m still shocked this dangerous industry standard persists.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 