After the poor performance of the French women at the 2013 World Championships in Antwerp, Véronique Legras will be appointed as Head Coach of France, according to French sports newspaper L’Equipe.
Legras is not the only change: Sophie Darrigade is now the women’s program director for France. Legras will be assisted by Nellu Pop at INSEP and Marie-Angéline Colson at Pole France Saint-Etienne, while Legras will continue to coach at pôle France Marseille, where she is assisted by Elvire Teza. Darrigade stated that all the juniors and seniors gymnasts of the national team will be training in these three centers. …
The greatest gymnast that ever lived did a fair bit of Press in Antwerp. More than usual, I believe.
Ollie Williams posted a terrific report on his interview with BBC:
… “His talent is endless,” says Louis Smith, who won silver on the pommel horse for Great Britain at London 2012.
“He wins the all-around competition by two marks, doing routines that are easy for him. He’s got skills in the bag that no-one can do – and he doesn’t need to do them yet. …
Kohei:
“I don’t think my natural talent is much different to the other gymnasts. It is a matter of how I train, and how I think about my training. I also give a lot of thought to my routines.
It is not Uchimura’s way, not the Japanese way, to acknowledge his own – obvious – greatness in the sport. He picks Vitaly Scherbo as the best gymnast of all time. The Belarusian won six gold medals out of eight available to him at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
The man famed for his individual achievements has a new ambition for Rio 2016, driven by embarrassment at how he conducted himself during London 2012.
At the climax of last year’s Olympic team final, an error by Uchimura when dismounting the pommel horse almost cost Japan a medal. …
“But not too fast, please — and oh, not on the rock! You — put on a helmet! You, too! And don’t jump into that water like that! Are you crazy? You might get hurt!” …
… the United States Postal Service … confirmed that the agency has halted the Just Move stamps.
Why?
Because, according to Linn’s Stamp News, of those 15 active children, three were deemed to be moving in ways that could prove detrimental to their health: skateboarding without kneepads, cannonballing into the water, and doing a headstand without a helmet. …
“The USPS has not directly received taxpayer-dollars since the early 1980s with the minor exception of subsidies for costs associated with the disabled and overseas voters. …
The USPS lost US$ 15.9 billion in 2012, and its revenue was US$ 65.2 billion. … “
Thanks to MCSMaria, for the correction.
Sometimes I wish the U.S. Government would run out of money. Be forced to completely privatize postal service.
Government monopolies are wasteful and inefficient.
I have to assume those responsible for this insane decision have overweight children.
Gaar Adams, out of Abu Dhabi, is a journalist specializing in all things Middle East. He wrote the great article Pommel Horses and Protestors, a detailed profile on Nashwan al-Harazi from Yemen, the surprise qualifier for the 2008 Olympics.
I later traveled to Yemen and found Gaar’s article to be exactly right.
Gaar followed the Middle East gymnasts at World Championships 2013, his NEW post titled
Did anyone hear about his new move during the competition?
Ali Zahran did not qualify to the Final. He finished 31st with a 14.500 (6.5 + 8.0)
Gaar also mentions Egyptian gymnast Fadwa Mahmoud attempting to make the vault finals by “chucking” a Produnova. One Chance to Make it Count.
It’s a bit depressing. One hope for developing nations are FIG’s Coaching Academies and new Age Group Development program. Egypt has hosted many.
Not mentioned in Gaar’s post was Shaden WOHDAN from Qatar. 🙂 I’m always cheering when I see women from Muslim nations able to compete in Gymnastics. You know they have overcome all kinds of roadblocks.
Shaden Wohdan from Qatar
Note that Shaden wore either shorts or a modified gym suit. Allowed by FIG.
Teaching “celebrities” … gymnastics … as a Reality TV show.
… CORE Media is developing Celebrity Champions, an original format that will see former Olympians coach celebrities – be they dancers, musicians, actors or athletes – in various disciplines.
Those will include bars, floor, rings and vault. Gold medalist Mary Lou Retton is attached as the anchor judge on the project which was brought to CORE by Shauna Thomas, Triana Lavey, and 1996 Olympic team member John Macready.
… Other former Olympians attached to participate include Shannon Miller and Paul Hamm. …
After the poor performance of the French women at the 2013 World Championships in Antwerp, Véronique Legras will be appointed as Head Coach of France, according to French sports newspaper L’Equipe.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 