tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
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.
Weird.
Those girls swing with superb efficiency … yet very few can manage a decent “Hecht” or “Ray” from low to high.
At Chinese Individual Senior Championships 2011 only one competitor I saw of 50 had reasonable amplitude. Yet Gabby Douglas, the same size, flies … like a _______ ________.
Here’s our Olympic Champion, He Kexin, attempting Shaposh.
To be fair, Yao Jinnan has an excellent Stalder Shaposhnikova half. (VIDEO)
Also, Huang Huidan. (VIDEO)
Are any other Chinese gymnasts using Shaposh variations?
(via Blossom)
… Vassiliki Miloussi is preparing for her second Olympics.
“We don’t have the money to pay for medicines, doctors or physiotherapists”, she says.
“We can’t invest in training facilities or afford to train abroad. The federation tries its hardest, but everything is difficult now.” …
BBC – Greek athletes strive for London as Athens legacy fades
That photo was linked by Between the Olympics — Who is going to make it? – Balance Beam.
Just one of a series of posts.
(via Full Twist)
Looks like fans are the biggest winners, so far.
The delicious uncertainty of who’s going to win the Olympic medals.
Andy Thornton:
Tuesday’s training sessions at the gymnastics training gym in London confirmed our suspicions regarding the Russian and Chinese women’s teams: both are complete wild cards for team gold in this Olympic team battle.
The Russian women showed some spectacular gymnastics throughout the day, including successfully landed Amanars in the morning session from Viktoria Komova and Maria Paseka. …
Aliya Mustafina has yet to reinstitute her own Amanar since tearing her ACL last year, but she’s dropped hints that she may in fact be planning on it …
No injury withdrawals in London from any of the top 4 teams. Nice.
Biggest surprise of the day goes to….Anastasia Grishina’s double-double on floor. A total shocker out of nowhere…HUGE for Russia!
Click PLAY or watch the double double on Telly. (Does not work on all browsers.)
http://telly.com/embed.php?guid=ZGZH7&autoplay=0
Posted by Chris Korotky, I believe.
Andy:
If you think He Kexin‘s not in good shape…think again! Great hit bars set and looked energetic and sharp
Was very impressed with US women today. Hit routines on every event in just 1.5 hours – very efficient!
Examiner – Romanian training notes
I’ll be linking to best sources under QUICK LINKS top of the page.
Rewriting Russian Gymnastics posted a translation of a fascinating interview with Vika’s Mom, former World Champion Vera Kolesnikova:
… Viktoria has a strong character, she learns elements very quickly but she’s unable to polish them. She is very gifted for gymnastics and she can learn an element in a week or two. I cannot say that she has an easy character. She is cross when she cannot achieve something. …
On the media:
… They invite her, they want interviews. I tell them to come together. They refuse. Viktoria is in tears: “They all ask the same questions!” …
Do you often see her at Krugloye [Lake Krugloye or Round Lake, the Russian National Training Centre for Gymnastics]?
– We don’t see her. Sometimes we pass each other at a competition. Her father hasn’t seen her for a long time. For me, it’s easier, when I go to a tournament, I call at Krugloye.
“In general, an ordinary childhood” – interview with Vera Kolesnikova
That photo was linked by RRG – Photo gallery – Russian Olympic Gymnastics Artistry
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#london2012
Last week a cafe manager in Camberwell, south London was raided by ‘community wardens’ after he displayed five bagels in the style of the Olympics rings in his window.
… within 20 minutes of manager David Adams putting up the display.
They claimed that putting the circular buns on show breached copyright rules. …
… Former International Olympic Committee marketing chief Michael Payne criticised the organising committee for ‘scoring an own goal’ over exclusivity rights.
He said that the over-zealous rules are ‘suffocating local street traders’, in the light of critics dubbing London 2012 the ‘Censorship Games’. …
(via Gymnastics – No Ceiling)
Gymnastics Coaching.com 