Category: Uncategorized

FIG Men – 8 counting skills?

The number of skills required in a Men’s Artistic Gymnastics routine may shrink from 10 to eight after the 2016 Olympic Games, FIG Men’s Technical Committee President Steve Butcher (USA) has confirmed.

Difficulty scores in Men’s Gymnastics are currently calculated based on the 10 most difficult skills shown in an exercise. …

“Regarding safety of the gymnasts, this potential change would reduce every exercise by 20 percent. This could result in fewer overuse injuries,” Butcher said. “Improving the safety of the gymnasts is always my primary concern. Reducing the amount of elements also brings the D-scores of the top gymnasts even closer, requiring even better execution in order to reach the finals and award podium.” …

The MTC is expected to make its decision regarding the number of elements for the next Olympic cycle during its September meeting in Krakow (POL). Any definitive change would also need to be approved by the FIG Executive Committee, however.

FIG

judges

Grandi has always wanted MAG and WAG to require the same number of skills.

My gut feeling is that both Floor and Horizontal Bar would be instantly better with fewer counting skills. But those two could hardly be worse with any Code change.

Pommel Horse and P Bars are amazing now. They might be less amazing counting 8 skills.

Rings might be slightly better with eight. And safer. Gymnasts who cannot do multiple major strength holds would be more competitive on that apparatus.

Vault would not change, I assume. But right now there is far too much reward for difficulty, not enough credit for execution.

GNN – Who goes to Rio?

Terri Laymon posted their list (so far) on Gymnastics News Network.

Click PLAY or watch highlights of some of the top American contenders on YouTube.

Marvin Sharp charged with child molesting

A one-time US Women’s Olympic coach who owns a gymnastics academy in Indianapolis is facing several felony charges relating to sexual misconduct with children.

Marvin Sharp, 48, is charged with four counts of child molesting, three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and knowing possession of child pornography. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office says the crimes took place beginning in May 2013 and up until May 2015, at times with victims younger than 14.

Sharp, the owner of Sharp’s Gymnastics Academy, was taken into custody Sunday night. …

Former Olympic coach of the year Marvin Sharp charged with child molestation, child porn possession

That’s a shocker for me. 😦

He’s made no public statement, so far as I’ve heard.

Pommel Horse in the rubble

Nick Blanton:

This photo is really quite powerful in the emotions it sparks…. What do you think?

Pommel Horse

Click through to the Facebook page to comment.

UPDATE: As I feared, that’s a Gym in war torn Yemen. See more photos. 😦

American Team to Worlds?

Andy’s Angle – World’s Team:

At this point …

1. Simone Biles
2. Gabby Douglas
3. Aly Raisman
4. Maggie Nichols

5. Madison Kocian or possibly Ashton Locklear
6. Bailie Key, Kyla Ross, or Alyssa Baumann

Read his rationale on American Gymnast.

Glasgow

Andy’s goal was to maximize team score. But USA is going to win team regardless of which National Team members are selected.

Instead they should look to maximize the number of medals won at Worlds.

Balance Beam Situation comes up with similar team scores with a number of different scenarios – On Kyla, Gabby, and How It Doesn’t Really Matter

Arabian Punch Front posted team predictions for USA and many of the top nations – World Championship Predictions 2015: August Edition