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headstand without a helmet

“Let’s Move!”

“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. …

safe headstand
Motherlode – A Headstand Without a Helmet? The Postal Service Halts ‘Just Move’ Stamps

UPDATE:

“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.

Middle East gymnasts at Worlds

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

From Cairo to Antwerp, With One Chance to Make it Count

Subscription required. (2 week free trial) That’s on Beacon, a cool new site trying to fund serious, unique longform journalism.

I’m quoted in the piece. As is Uncle Tim.

In it Gaar points out how difficult it is for gymnasts from countries like Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Tunisia etc. to get noticed.

For example, Ali Zahran from Egypt competed one of the most difficult strength sequences in history, … and I somehow MISSED the routine.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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
Shaden Wohdan from Qatar

Note that Shaden wore either shorts or a modified gym suit. Allowed by FIG.

Gymnastics Reality TV

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. …

Deadline

They couldn’t dive. What makes anyone think celebrities can learn gymnastics?

Lisa Beam

(via Couch Gymnast)

Top Worlds Teams: USA, ITA, CAN

Grace Chiu is a judge, as well as our favourite photographer.

She calculated the Team totalsYES, there was no team competition in Antwerp … and came up with this “Team rank”.

USA, ITA, CAN, JPN, SUI, BEL, GER, ESP.

Canada was Ellie Black, Maegan Chant, Victoria Moors and Kaitlyn Hofland.

Team Canada

Ellie hit 9/9 at Worlds. Even Floor Coach Dave Kikuchi was impressed with that.

Day of the Girl Child

October 11th.

Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations.

October 11, 2012, was the first Day of the Girl. The observation supports more opportunity for girls, and increases awareness of inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

This inequality includes areas such as access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence and unfree child marriage. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.



___

Jordan Chiles – Amanar

In training.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Jordan Chiles of Naydenov Gymnastics is too young for Rio.

She was 11th AA at Jr P&G Championships 2013, 6th on Vault with DTY.