Elena Skripel on BelarusGate

Lauren Hopkins:

Elena Skripel, chairwoman of the Belarusian Gymnastics Association, did an interview with Minsk Capital Television in which she discussed everything having to do with the decision to allow Americans compete at World Championships over her own Belarusian gymnasts.

We have translated the interview and have it in full below.

Recently you announced that American gymnasts will compete for Belarus in this discipline.

… Since November, we have been trying to figure out what’s going wrong with our artistic gymnastics. Unfortunately, our women currently have no prospects. We watched training sessions and received advice from some women’s coaches and then we as a group decided to accept the offer from the American side regarding the involvement of the American girls.

I’ll explain a little bit more. The thing is that we need to earn a spot for the Olympic Games at this World Championships. Therefore it is very important all the same to try to do everything possible to earn at least one spot so that Belarus is represented at the Olympics in this sport. Belarus has such a strong history in gymnastics, but over time, we’ve grown weaker. Therefore, we are moving in several directions. We have attracted American girls as a short-term solution, while at the same time we are working to invite a new head coach for our women’s team.

A new head coach will be invited.

Yes. We have reached an agreement with Oleg Ostapenko. …

In America, everyone is shocked, I believe.

Yes, already everyone is shocked. Now we’ll wait for the results.

In Translation: Elena Skripel on BelarusGate

I don’t like the decision. But we must be careful not to blame the gymnasts.

If you don’t like random gymnasts being allowed to join any Team in the world, blame the FIG. Blame the adults involved.

University of Houston Gymnastics Club

GoFundMe campaign:

We are a brand new club at the University of Houston that is looking to grow our team and its funding! We are the only collegiate team in the area and want to be able to expand our club to reach all areas of Houston. We are currently funding everything on our own or through fundraising: attire, practice facility, team apparel, meet entry fees, hotel fees. etc.

We would love for you to help us make this club a place for gymnasts; from beginner to advanced, current to retired, and young to old make a difference in the Houston area gymnastics community!

U of Houston

LIKE their Facebook page.

(via College Gymnastics Board)

Trampbike World Championship

The 2nd Trampbike World Championship … took place during the 33 hours event at the RadQuartier Kirchenlamitz (Germany).

More than 50 participants showed the best tricks in 45 seconds with their modified BMX on the new Eurotramp Freestyle 5² trampoline. … At the end the 19-year-old Jiri Bouska from Kirchenlamitz won the World Champion title and received a golden Trampbike trophy as well as 1000 euros prize money.

Eurotramp

Click PLAY or watch a highlights clip on YouTube.

Nia Dennis – Bars

She has added in a Maloney 1/2 to her bar routine since PG Championships.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Nia’s at Camp. Hoping to be selected for the Worlds team. Jacob updates that Nia is only doing Bars at Camp due to a foot injury.

7 FIG Artistic judges warned

From Worlds 2014. Shame it takes nearly a year to get these evaluations processed.

… five from Men’s Artistic Gymnastics and two from Women’s Artistic — received warnings, urging them to “pay closer attention” in future competitions.

Following notification of their sanctions, each judge has 21 days to appeal.

FIG