World Cup skiing to try air bags

… with a radical air bag system being approved for use in World Cup and lower level races beginning in January, Alpine skiing could get a lot safer. …

The system — which entails putting an air bag in the neck area of athletes’ back protectors — was developed by Italian manufacturer Dainese in coordination with the FIS. It inflates when skiers lose control and are about to crash. …

AP

The trick is to find a system that protects on crashes, but does not limit mobility during the race.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Outside)

Bars routine – MAKITA animation

Kovacs to Geinger. At the end of the routine, to build drama. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

via Nico on GymFever2012

Roxana Popa 14.9 Bars

Carlota Bardera posted a wrap-up on the 2014 Blume Memorial – Report and Results. With video links.

1 Roxana Popa 57.100
2 Marta Pihan-Kulesza 54.950
3 Ana Filipa Martins 52.650

Click PLAY or watch the Bars routine on YouTube.

Romania would certainly love to have Roxana apply to compete for them. 🙂

IOC “Agenda 2020″

The International Olympic Committee proposed changes to the bidding process and sports program for the Olympics among 40 recommendations to be voted on in December.

The 40 recommendations “lay out a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic movement,” the IOC said. The proposals will be discussed at an IOC session in Monaco on Dec. 8-9. If approved in December, the IOC will then decide on how to implement the recommendations. …

IOC proposes adding Olympic events, bid reforms

2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

Looks good to me. The downside for Artistic Gymnastics is that we hog a large percentage of the events and medals.

London 2012 had 10,568 athletes in 302 events; Rio 2016 will have 306 events.

If IOC wants to add sports, athletes or more events, they’ll have to take away from somewhere else.

WAG and MAG are at risk.