Thanks once again to the excellent FIG media team. Like everyone else in Nanning they were frustrated by the Great Firewall of China. But found ways to make it work.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Nearly 100 student gymnasts and dancers will participate in one of the oldest traditions on the Springfield College campus. The college will host its 105th Gymnastics Exhibition Show, “Motion and Film,” in two performances Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18th ..
Stephen Posner, men’s gymnastics coach at Springfield College, said those who see the show are in for a treat. …
Shout out for the media at 2014 World Championships in Nanning.
Crazy about gymnastics, the keenest got very little sleep.
40min bus ride from Gym to Hotel
Photographers lug heavy equipment up and down concrete steps all day. Shooting angles were not ideal. I don’t envy them.
Most of the bloggers were paying their own costs, including me. The flight was expensive, of course. But I saved money by staying in a small hostel for about $25 / night / single private room. Air con. Reasonably good wifi. The media hotel was about $80 / night.
Organizers provided media food … though some round eyes preferred to live on McFlurries, instead.
Getting a Chinese visa was a hassle for many. Some were unable to get one. I made 4 trips to the Chinese Embassy paper pushers before actually having the essential stamp in my passport.
Always interesting and informative, you should definitely read this translation of an interview with one of the most successful gymnasts that ever lived.
… On beam I was lucky. On floor I had nothing to lose so I decided to go for the harder routine. …
It is difficult to have a personal coach who is really a choreographer. I have to make a lot of decisions on my own. …
… the Americans were always doing something – running, circuit training, extra things. Some of it is probably genetics. Just look at them – they’re healthy, brimming with life. We don’t have gymnasts like them in Russia. Look at Polina Fyodorova, Masha Kharenkova, Dasha Spiridonova. They will always be small and skinny. They’ll never have the kind of muscle the Americans have. …