You can’t be too rich … or too strong. 🙂
Larisa Latynina vs Michael Phelps
Sports Illustrated:
… Her name is so unknown that American journalists are divided on how to spell it. Olympic buffs know little about her outside of statistical accomplishments — three Olympic Games, 18 medals, nine of them gold. …
That is likely to change as Bob Costas and NBC’s swimming crew will surely mention Larisa (or Larissa or Larysa) Latynina on prime-time broadcasts throughout the first few days of the London Olympics and especially on July 31, the likely date Michael Phelps will win his 19th career Olympic medal, breaking the record set by the balletic Soviet gymnast 48 years ago. …
She’s met Phelps. And hopes to be on hand to celebrate him breaking her record. If he does.
Aunt Joyce recommended this interview. It’s got some fascinating historical insights:
… She then competed at the 1958 world championships in Moscow while four months pregnant. She didn’t tell a soul she was expecting, fearful she would be forced to sit out.
“How did it affect my performance?” Latynina asked. “Well, as one could tell I did OK,” she said, smiling. “I won.” …
read more on SI – With her all-time record set to fall, little-known Latynina looks back
He Kexin defends Bars
The Chinese Olympic Team is now complete with the addition of 2008 gold medalist He Kexin in the fifth and final spot. He was only just officially named to the team over Beijing teammate Jiang Yuyuan and 2011 World Championships teammate Tan Sixin …
Deng Linlin
He Kexin
Huang Qiushuang
Sui Lu
Yao Jinnan…and the alternates:
Jiang Yuyuan
Tan Sixin
I’m surprised.
Surprised they named a specialist.
Surprised they have the confidence that she’ll hit under Olympic pressure. Her record in big meets since winning the 2008 Olympics is not good.
Surprised they are willing to have the media dredge up her age controversy from 2008.
What do you think, Bela?
Aug 2008 – Daniel Poon – How to prove He Kexin’s Scandalous Real Age?
Update from Blossom:
… The coaches keep mentioning on their Weibo that the Olympic line-up can be changed 24 hours prior to the competition. Which makes me wonder how consistent is He Kexin’s bars really… ? …
Click PLAY or watch one of her recent routines on YouTube.
Anna Li montage
Jen Bricker – rope climb
Have you seen Dominique Moceanu’s sister? She’s an amazing athlete.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m inspired.
Mail Online – Pictured: Olympic star Dominique Moceanu’s secret sister who was given up by parents after she was born with no legs
Iordache 24.90, Izbasa 23.90
Maximum difficulty scores of the top two Romanian all-arounders in any one competition in 2012. Larisa has the 5th highest in the world. Sandra, shockingly, the 14th highest. The comeback queen.
1 IORDACHE Larisa ROU
Vault 5.8 + 9.250 = 15.050
Bars 6.1 + 8.450 = 14.550
Beam 6.7 + 9.250 = 15.950
Floor 6.3 + 9.000 = 15.300
24.90 ~ 60.850
2 IZBASA Sandra ROU
Vault 6.1 + 9.000 = 15.100
Bars 5.8 + 8.150 = 13.950
Beam 5.9 + 9.100 = 15.000
Floor 6.1 + 9.000 = 15.100
23.90 ~ 59.150
Those numbers come from the results (PDF) of the competition held this past weekend in Bucharest. Posted by RomGym.ro.
Exactly as Albert posted them earlier today.
I’d love to see Larisa upgrade the dismount line and win the Olympics on Floor with this routine.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Obviously, that wasn’t 9.0 execution, however. This score, at least, was inflated at least 0.5.
Olga Korbut engaged
Olga Korbut has had a rocky life. But things seem to be good now
@OlgaKorbut1:
Did you hear? Jay asked me to marry him yesterday. What a surprise! I’m so happy! I will be at Olympics & can’t wait!
Shannon Miller – My Interview with Olga Korbut:
… Today Korbut resides in Scottsdale, Arizona and remains active in gymnastics instruction.
Remarkably, at just 99 lbs., the 4’11” Olympic champion is only five pounds heavier than she was at the 1972 Olympics. Olga is a professional motivational speaker, an avid chef, and life-long fitness advocate.
She will attend the 2012 London Olympic Games to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of her legendary 3-gold / 1-silver medal-winning performance at the 1972 Munich Olympics. …
McKayla visualizing Vault
highest Olympic D-scores
Albert’s updated his ranking list for both score and D-score.
Of Olympians competing, Iordache, Larisa (ROU) 6,8 has the highest Beam start. Tweddle, Elizabeth (GBR) 7,0 is the highest Bars, unless He Kexin competes. Peña, Yamilet (DOM) 7,1 5,8 = 12,9 with the double front has a .3 higher start than Maroney. Raisman, Alexandra (USA) 6,5 is tops on FX.
UPDATE: Check the comments. Some are questioning these numbers, mentioning additional routines. Some done in training. Some in minor meets. I’ll add one myself — He Kexin was rumoured to have done a 7.4 Bars somewhere, sometime in 2012.
Woodward West 2012
I still feel deprived that I’d never got to one of the big American Camps like Woodward West as a gymnast. I was in my 40s before I first saw the gym in Stallion Springs, California.
It’s MAGIC.
Superb facilities in an idyllic location & climate.
Back in my first weeks as a coach at Woodward West, Director “Hollywood” Mike asked staff to try to provide the BEST WEEK ever in the sporting life of kids.
If the only thing that matters is gymnastics, take your kids to the closest gym more elite than your own. But if you want your kids to have a unique life experience, send them to Woodward.
It’s inspiring to be coached by 2000 Olympic Floor Champ Igor Vihrovs and Bars legend Elise Ray.
Girls at camp are mostly registered in Artistic & Cheer. Boys mostly Action Sports: BMX, skateboard, etc.
The two cultures couldn’t be more opposite. (Action kids are those who think training in tight jeans in a hot climate is a good idea. 🙂 Fashion more important than function.)
Here’s one of the Action Sports pits. They flip boards and bikes into this one.
Tony Eusini was in charge of Artistic Gymnastics when I visited week #5. Loud and in charge.
Kids can sign out Go Pro helmet cams FREE. And later edit their POV video.
I like the visual feedback available for kids getting their “distance” tumbling into the pit.
New skills bell.
Cheer is BIG in 2012. Here’s the full size Cheer Floor with tumbling into the pit.
Click PLAY or get a glimpse of week #5 on YouTube.
The biggest downside to Woodward is the cost. It’s around $800 for a week. But you can cut back that cost with a parent volunteering as Camp Councillor, as Andrew Stess has done the past 3 years. If you’re driving your child to camp anyway, why not stay the week?
And chaperone 14 kids in a cabin? 🙂
My re-visit was sponsored by Tumbl Trak.
Thanks Linnea! Long live Woodward West.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 