tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
Ready to rock.
original photo on Facebook
And our lone male gymnast …
… Nathan Gafuik … will only compete on this event because his right hand still hurts too much on the other events after tearing a UCL in Slovenia on P Bars and having it surgically repaired in early June. His goal is to compete a 7.3-value routine, which he has hit once since arriving in London; otherwise, a 7.0/7.1 routine.
related – Addison’s disease makes Gafuik a fighter
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Examiner:
The team everyone’s talking about that isn’t from the U.S., Russia, China or Great Britain will be training in the 02 Arena in less than half an hour. The Romanians have yet to set foot on the equipment inside the 02, and yet the team is already embroiled in drama.
Coach Mariana Bitang’s confirmation that young star Larisa Iordache will be limited to bars and possibly beam only due to plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the bottom of the foot) produced intense shockwaves around the team, which skipped its evening practice last night. We’ll see how the partial loss of Iordache is affecting the rest of the gymnasts very soon.
Examiner – Quick hits: Women’s podium training at the 2012 Olympic Games (Subdivision V)
Women’s Subdivision I notes
Women’s Subdivision II notes
Women’s Subdivison III notes
Women’s Subdivision IV notes
And Andy Thornton for NBC:
The U.S. had a good day, suffering very few major errors and successfully fielding the valuable vault of McKayla Maroney, who is world champion on the event but has not trained it at full strength for several days because of a broken right big toe. Her signature Amanar vaults soared higher than the rest today and confirmed that not only is Team USA ready to outscore the world on this event, but Maroney is still the favorite to win the individual vault gold.
… this team appears to have the difficulty and the consistency to win this Olympic team title. …
… Floor was a disaster for the Russians today …
… China had a very similar showing as the Russians, looking impressive on bars and beam but questionable on floor and vault. …
Russia could still win Team over 12 routines. But don’t bet the mortgage on it.
Yao Jinnan is not 100%.
USA is not only the strongest team. But may also be the fittest.
Update – “Replacement” athlete Anna Li fell on Bars and is in a neck brace, as a precaution.
#london2012
Gymnastics elder statesman Jordan Jovtchev will kick off his record sixth Olympic appearance by carrying the flag for Bulgaria in Friday’s Opening Ceremonies at the Olympic Games in London.
“It will be an honor for me to carry the Bulgarian flag,” Jovtchev said on Wednesday in London.
Jovtchev, 39, will be the first male gymnast to compete in six Olympic Games. …
Great call.
An inspiration to every single gymnast in London.
… His 39-year-old body is “falling apart”, his back is “hurting” and his ankles are “killing” him but even if he has to be pushed out in a wheelchair, gymnastics’s elder statesman Iordan Iovtchev is determined to make one final hurrah …
Jason Mortimer on Facebook.
In every women’s Olympic team picture I see, it feels like Mckayla Maroney is staring into my soul.
Six-time Olympian Oksana Chusovitina featured in P&G’s latest Thank you Mom ad!
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
More and more folks online are predicting Larisa Iordache will be the surprise Olympic Champion.
Those fans will be disappointed to hear that she’s been diagnosed with “fasciitis“. A sore heel.
It may be minor. It may be treatable. … But it might also hinder her chances of hitting 4/4 in the AA.
… Romania skipped second training in the practice gym. Let’s hope Larisa is back for Podium training tomorrow. It’s critical to get accustomed to the venue.
#london2012
The defending champion Chinese men have replaced injured Teng Haibin with alternate Guo Weiyang, four days before competition begins at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Teng reportedly suffered pulled muscle in his forearm in Northern Ireland, where the team trained before traveling to London and where the alternates continued training. Teng was prepared to take part in Wednesday’s podium training, but Guo was called to London …
… Teng burst into tears after realizing his Olympic dream was over, Xinhua news agency reported. …
Needless to say, Men’s head coach Huang Yubin is worried.
@kyleshew (Kyle Shewfelt) said that Japan looked the best team after podium training. He never seen China look so “off”.
(via Blossom)
Voula Papachristou (@papaxristoutj):
“With so many Africans in Greece… At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!”
Her APOLOGY:
I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account. I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.
My dream is connected to the Olympic Games and I could not possibly participate if I did not respect their values. Therefore, I could never believe in discrimination between human beings and races.
I would like to apologize to all my friends and fellow athletes, who I may have insulted or shamed, the National Team, as well as the people and companies who support my athletic career. Finally, I would like to apologize to my coach and my family.
Voula Papachristou Expelled From Olympics: Greece Boots Track Star Over Racist Twitter Message
This would have been her first Olympics.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 