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Here’s the only review — mixed — I’ve yet seen on the NEW innovative competition hosted in Bethlehem, PA.

Paul Reinhard, Special to The Morning Call:

“We know we have a good product, but can we get some sponsors to go along with us?” meet executive director Brent Klaus said. “This was a huge loss for us, but we knew that coming in — bringing in all these athletes, taking care of them for a week, the staging, the lights, the production. But now we have something to show people.”

Klaus promised he’d have some WWE-type entertainment, and he delivered with music that was way too loud, a couple of announcers who could be every bit as abrasive as former WWE head Vince McMahon and some controversy that seemed to be trumped up.

At 3 hours and 55 minutes, it was much too long. Klaus said earlier in the week it would probably last 21/2, which would have been about right. …

… For the record, the “winner” of the team competition was Team Ice, led by 2008 Olympian Jonathan Horton and Steve Legendre. …

‘Evolution’ not for purists, perhaps, but it was fun

Skill-for-skill competition entertains with lights, music and strong performances.

I’d love to see something like this succeed.

As expected, Shao Bin’s appeal was denied. From FIG:

On August 19, 2011, the FIG Disciplinary Commission announced its decision with regard to Chinese judge Mr Shao Bin, found guilty of fraud at the 2010 Asian Games. Shao Bin has seen his judging brevet downgraded to a category four, and will be responsible for covering the CHF 7,200 in legal costs.

The events date back to the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou (CHN) in November 2010. During the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Final, Chinese Difficulty judge Mr Shao Bin altered an Execution score prior to posting without notifying either the judge in charge of Execution or the Superior Jury. His action made it possible for Chinese gymnast Zhang Chenglong to step into first, rather than his rightful second, place, and ultimately tie for first with Kim Soo Myun of Korea. …

The tie may have been correct. But difficulty judges cannot alter execution scores.

The sanction is minimal, however. … I’m still baffled at what happened.

Adrian Stoica, FIG Men’s Technical Committee President and President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, served as FIG technical representative during the 2010 Asian Games. He was responsible for signing off on the results of that meet. Why wasn’t this error caught at the time?

Leave a comment if you know the entire story.

Note: Shao Bin judged Chinese Nationals / Trials for Worlds.

related posts:

• gymnastics judge Shao Bin responds
• gymnastics judge CHEAT update
• gymnastics judge Shao Bin sanctioned

Grace Chiu posted Canadian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics team selection highlights on Facebook. (VIDEO)

It cannot be embedded here. Yet one more reason I dislike Facebook video.

2011 Canada WAG World Trials – day 2

Click PLAY or watch her on YouTube.

(via Grace Chiu GraceClick on Facebook)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Footage comes from Japan Cup.

(via The All Around Gymnastics News on Facebook)

Clinician Tony Retrosi just started a new personal blog called tonyatlantic.

One of his first posts:

… I have just returned from USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade show that was held with the VISA Championships.

As a coach of women’s (girls) gymnastics, I don’t often get a chance to see a men’s competition. After watching the first day of competition I was so impressed. What a GREAT PRODUCT on the floor. The sad part was- there were very few spectators to see it …

read more – The Marketing of Men’s Gymnastics

The Men’s NCAA Championships are normally even more exciting than the Women’s, yet get far less attention.

We need some genius to find a way to market Men’s Gymnastics.

Related – Ron Noe’s rant about the lack of televised coverage of men’s club gymnastics.

This is a bit of a novelty training device, I feel. Not essential for teaching forward hip circle, but FUN to have in the gym.

Click PLAY or watch one designed on YouTube.

I’m hanging out after Camp with coach Peter Soul who made the first Seat Circle machine I ever saw (2006).

Peter made the first Open Shoulder Trainer I ever saw, as well. (TumblTrak credits Peter with the invention.)

This summer Peter’s working away furiously on some various Floor Bars. I’ll post photos if he ever finishes. 🙂

(via Coaching Gymnastics in the New Millenium)

Trish Quiney linked to this inspirational photo.

From the album: Motivation. by Pure Nourishment on Facebook

There are many more like that one.

Gymnastics Canada has announced its seven-member women’s team for the 2011 world artistic gymnastics championships in October.

Members of the team are Dominique Pegg, Talia Chiarelli, Kristina Vaculik, Peng Peng Lee, Mikaela Gerber, Coralie Leblond-Chartrand and Madeline Gardiner. …

Gymnastics Canada

… Mikeala Gerber certainly deserves an award for consistency as she went 8 for 8 and the only girl to hit her routines each time out …

Oakville Gymnastics Club Women’s Program

photo by Savona

Examiner – New seniors, returning stars make up Canadian women’s World team

Dominique Pegg’s new double layout on Floor. (VIDEO)

related – Spain beats France in dual meet

I’m feeling much more optimistic about the rejuvenated Spanish team than for Canada.

Moustafina is out. Bross is out.

Of the great cold war rivals, who will win out at World Championships Tokyo?

GymNiceTic compared the nations on all 4 apparatus:

… USA is better on vault, Russia is better on Bars …

With floor it’s the same with Beam – Russia and the USA are on the same level. …

Russia isn’t in such a bad position without Mustafina as everyone thought …

Russia and the USA have both the exactly same chance to win the gold medal (if Russia gets the two Amanars from Nabieva and Paseka) …

Vault

Uneven Bars

Balance Beam

Floor

Even without Bross, I give USA the edge due to superior depth and discipline.