5 Irish Gymnastics clubs

Despite the awful economy, many Gymnastics clubs in Ireland have waiting lists. And they are anticipating an Olympic bump in membership.

Newly announced Olympian Kieran Behan is generating a lot of publicity.


Renmore, Galway

Links and photos from my visits last week on RecGymnastics.com.

Winter Youth Olympic Games

The inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are ended.

Like the first Summer YOG, they’ve been called a great success. Here’s the IOC wrap-up post:

… The athletes helped to make Olympic history by participating in a number of events that appeared for the first time on an Olympic programme in Innsbruck ahead of their inclusion in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. These included women’s ski jumping, ski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle. The Games also featured innovative new formats such as the mixed country doubles competition in curling; the mixed sport event cross-country/biathlon; mixed gender luge and ice hockey skills challenge. …

Another hit at the Games was the innovative, interactive USB key known as the Yogger, which was given to every athlete and official. In addition to providing the athletes with essential information in a paperless format, the Yogger acted as a virtual business card, allowing users to share information such as names and email addresses simply by touching their keys together. Swiping the keys against the various CEP booths allowed the athletes to collect electronic material about the activities. …

The next edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held in Lillehammer, Norway, while the second Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Nanjing, China in 2014.

IOC – Innsbruck 2012, the First Ever Winter Youth Olympic Games Exceed Expectations

Innsbruck, Austria – January 12, 2012: Free Style Skiing athlete Beau-James Wells (NZL) at his training session in Kuhtai, Austria, Jan 12, 2012.

Photo by Xu Liang/Xinhua/IOC

related – Rogge Warns Not to Make YOG Too Costly

USA post-Olympics tour

… 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin will lead an impressive cast, including members of the men’s and women’s 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympic teams. …

USAG

(via Nastia on Facebook)

Sacramone for COVERGIRL®

… Alicia Sacramone, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist, will serve as an ambassador for P&G beauty brands including COVERGIRL®, Olay®, Pantene® and Secret®. Sacramone’s involvement is in addition to P&G’s partnership with USA Gymnastics and its global marketing partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in support of the Olympic Movement, which will reach through the next five Olympic Games from London 2012 through the 2020 Olympic Games. …

“Our goal is to inspire young women with the message that when you believe in yourself, anything is possible,” said Gina Drosos, Group President, P&G Beauty. …

read more – P&G Beauty Partners with Alicia Sacramone, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Silver Medalist
Sponsorship Expands on USA Gymnastics Partnership

(via Full Twist)

Horton Winter Cup – PH / Rings

For the top nations, gymnasts are under intense scrutiny.

Jonathan Horton knows the routine. First comes the injury, then comes the speculation, then comes the doubters.

The two-time Olympic medalist understands. Rip up your left foot the way he did in the world gymnastics championships last October and there’s no stopping the whispers.

“You get hurt 10 months before the Olympic games and people start questioning, `is he going to lose a lot of skills?'” Horton said. …

AP – Injured left foot not deterring gymnast Jon Horton

… Horton plans to compete on pommel horse and still rings at the Winter Cup in Las Vegas early next month even though a pair of screws in his injured foot will likely prevent him from completing full routines….

Smart.

Inconsistent Pommel Horse is the only thing that will stop a healthy Horton from qualifying for London.

I think Jon’ll be there. And I’ll be cheering.

(via Full Twist)

Paul Hamm training for 2012

Though the Hamm blog is down, 2004 Olympic Champion Paul Hamm is still hoping to contend for 2012.

… Hamm has kept a low profile since being arrested in Upper Arlington, Ohio, last summer on charges of kicking a cab driver, damaging a cab window and refusing to pay a $23 fare.

Olympic Games News

Idiot. … Did I say that out loud?

Andy Thornton has compiled Paul’s potential routines based mostly on Facebook video clips. Andy thinks he’s still in the mix for the USA team, especially for Pommel Horse.

He’s a long shot, I’d say. But don’t count Paul out. Not yet.

There’s a chance that he might even make an appearance at Winter Cup in February. I’d love to see him compete a couple of apparatus there.

Here’s Paul’s Facebook Wall. Not everyone is able to watch those video clips, be warned.

Raisman looking good

Gymnastike visited Brestyan’s to check in with USA Gymnastics 2012 olympic team hopeful Aly Raisman. The 17-year-old gymnast is coming off a fantastic 2011 season, leading team USA to the World Championships gold medal and winning an individual bronze medal on floor. Raisman has even bigger skills and high aspirations for 2012. She talks about her upgrades, her decision to turn professional, and training to make the Olympic team.

Click PLAY or watch the interview and training footage on Gymnastike.

http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/ODg1NTc1Mzk2?related=1

Watch more video of Brestyan’s Gymnastics on gymnastike.org

She’s planning on Amanar. Near the end of the video she shows an excellent double Arabian punch layout.