watch USA podium training

Bars, Beam, Floor, Vault.

Likely line-ups:

VAULT: McCallum, McCusker, Hurd, Biles
BARS: Hurd, McCallum, McCusker, Biles
BEAM: Hurd, McCusker, Eaker, Biles
FLOOR: Hurd, McCallum, McCusker, Biles

Read Spencer’s LIVE from YouTube coverage.

This dream team of Simone Biles and friends will likely win all 4 apparatus in both prelims and the team final. For the first time in a long time, vault is the weakest event. Of course Beam is Beam. Anything could happen in the 3-up, 3-count team final.

Archived on the USAG YouTube channel. (1:51)

Tom Forster on USA preparation

… People might be very surprised how much of our conversations, at every meal time, are about protecting the athletes versus working them harder. There is tremendous attention devoted to balancing their mental and physical rest with the work needed for them to be their best. …

Photos.

women’s podium training begins

For the next two days gymnasts will get their only chance to train in the competition venue. Getting used to the apparatus and lighting is critical.

Click PLAY or watch an FIG preview on YouTube. It’s intended to explain our complicated sport to the general public.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Kohei’s podium H Bar

Deliberately rolls out of the landing to save his ankle for competition.

Fantastic form. VERY HIGH angle of regrasp on releases.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

“What if I’m not believed?”

An NPR podcast asks the question:

How did Larry Nassar get away with his treatment for decades?

Listen to it online. (18min)

Larry Nassar with Kerri Strug 1996 Olympics

Aspire Tower, Doha

Just outside the competition venue at Worlds is a luxury hotel in the shape of an Olympic torch. It has air conditioned access to a luxury shopping mall.

Japan, China and USA are staying there amongst others.

Aspire Tower, also known as The Torch Doha, is a 300-metre-tall (980 ft) skyscraper hotel located in the Aspire Zone complex in Doha, Qatar. …

… the focal point for the 15th Asian Games hosted by Qatar in December 2006. …

 

how to stick Yurchenko triple twist

Like this.

https://twitter.com/olympicchannel/status/1054309665020960770

that poster hanging everywhere in Qatar

Like every other arriving visitor, I was wondering about the back story.

That’s a representation of the current Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani by Qatari artist Ahmed al-Maadheed.

It’s become symbolic of Qatar’s position in the 2017–18 diplomatic crisis. Qatar has been boycotted by a Saudi-led coalition.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became the 8th Amir of Qatar on 25 June 2013 after his father’s abdication. He’s only age-38 now.

A taxi driver told me he was a great and popular leader. But the Amir has his critics too.

Nina – favourite Bar routine all-time?

I loved Nastia’s 10 skill routines for variety. But I might rank Nina’s 8 skill routine as even better.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The third routine that jumps to mind is Beth Tweddle’s 2010 World Championships set.

Nina Derwael is European champion 2017, 2018. And 2017 Worlds Bronze medalist.