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#gymnastics2010

LIVE from Rotterdam, we’re watching WAG and MAG “training gym” training as well as WAG podium training. There are multiple gyms in the huge Ahoy complex, and still more under construction. (It’s easy to get lost while trying to shuttle between Russia training Floor and China training Beam.)

The USA women’s team has just started.

After watching the ladies of Great Britain, Russia and China, I’m no more certain than I was before on what women’s team will win this thing. The computer says USA will be the Champions. But Russia looked solid on Beam. China even better.

It may come down to whatever team of USA, China and Russia has the best day in Team finals.

If Russia is to win (as I predicted) they’ll need to hit Bars, building a lead on the Americans. And staying close to China.

After problems and temper tantrums yesterday, Nabieva finished Bars training quickly today. Her form is loose, but the routine amazing. If she hits, she could challenge Olympic and World Champion He Kexin.

But the star of the warm-ups was Beth Tweddle. Her Bar routines is by far the hardest in the world, and she rocked long sections of it over and over again with no major deduction. The double double dismount rules.

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Go Beth !!

Details on the Gymnastics Examiner LIVE blog.

#gymnastics2010

Multiple sites are reporting that former World Rings Champion Yuri van Gelder was taken off the host Dutch team at the World Championships because he had “fallen back into” cocaine use.

What a shame.

The Netherlands is otherwise doing a fantastic job at hosting the meet.

(via Full Twist)

#gymnastics2010

FIG posted an excellent profile on the Japanese Women’s Team to Worlds:

TSURUMI, Koko … Worlds Bronze AA in 2009
SHINTAKE, Yuko
TANAKA, Rie
OSHIMA, Kyoko
YAMAGISHI, Mai
OZAWA, Momoko

click through to read it – Ninjas and circus led Japanese women to the gym

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#gymnastics2010

So says the computer after an incredibly detailed analysis by Albert Minguillón:

… According to all the scores collected during this season United States, China, Russia and Japan should be fighting for the medals; with USA taking the gold medal in the three scenarios studied: maximum score potential, minimum score potential and average score potential.

The consistency of the Americans plays a big role in their superiority; although their lack of competition outside US soil might affect the scores as well.

On the other hand and not surprisingly, Russia, is still suffering from its lack of consistency with the biggest range between the maximum and the minimum score among the top teams. …

Check the numbers for yourself on The All Around News – WAG Scoring Potential: Rotterdam 2010

I was surprised. … Of course he’s using American scores for the American girls. Those might be inflated compared to what they will get from the international judges.

The question that jumps to my mind – should Russia have brought Anna Pavlova instead of the emotional Nabieva?

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I don’t count out Romania. They tend to rise to big occassions despite moaning and complaining in advance of the meet.

#gymnastics2010

Before we head into the 2010 World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, here’s a recap of the gymnasts and teams who won the last time around. …

The 2010 World Championships will feature an all around final, individual event finals, and a team final. The team final will be the the first major international team competition since the Beijing Olympics. …

Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.

http://videoplayer.flocasts.org/player.swf

I’ve been a Paul Hamm doubter in the past.

No more.

Now that the 2004 Olympic AA Champion has moved to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado, I’m even more confident that he’ll be a serious contender for Worlds 2011 and Olympics 2012.

It’s easy to focus there.

On World Champion Uchimura:

“He’s going to be tough to beat, no question about that,” Hamm said. “I’m excited to go after him and see what happens.”

On training without his twin brother:

“I love having Morgan in the gym, and it [stinks] not having him. But I think can get what I need at the training center as far as training partners.”

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read more on USAG

At Commonwealth Games.

… Pole-vaulters Carly Dockendorf of Port Moody, B.C., and Saskatoon’s Kelsie Hendry finished in a three-way tie for bronze with Kate Dennison of England….

read more – Canadian pole-vaulters tie for 3rd in Delhi

Medal count at that point:

Australia (153)
England (121)
India (89)
Canada (73)

Only 89 medals, India. Is that all you can deliver?
🙂

Today was the first opportunity to see the Women’s Artistic teams. The most interesting site by far is Couch Gymnast.

Brigid McCarthy has already posted dozens of photos. And more on her Facebook page. She’s volunteered to provide stories and pics for the official meet website.

Brigid reports that Ana Porgras looks great. Beth Tweddel ‘NAILED bars over and over‘. Great Britain might challenge Romania as a team. He Kexin is ready.

The Chinese are gorgeous on Beam and Bars … but had some scary tumbling.

The Russians looks strong. And relaxed. … Some say ‘flirtatious’.

I’m a little worried that Nabieva might not hold it together:

The girls are back on the podium tomorrow. Men do not take the floor until day 3.

FIG preview post – Ahoy Rotterdam

It’s official. The up-and-coming Junior will be training with Shawn Johnson.

Welcome to the Official Website of Gabrielle Douglas! Gabby is an international elite gymnast from Chow’s Gymnastics in West Des Moines, Iowa. …

I like Chow.

But I like Gabby’s coaches back at Excalibur, as well. She didn’t need to move. … But I’ve still not heard confirmed why she switched gyms. Did the family relocate for work?

(via Aunt Joyce)

Big news here in the host nation, the Netherlands.

The Dutch team has withdrawn former world champion Yuri van Gelder from the world championships, which begin Saturday in Rotterdam.

Team manager Hans Gootjes told the media Tuesday that the federation had withdrawn van Gelder from the competition. Gootjes declined to give an explanation, saying only that van Gelder was removed from the team for “compelling reasons.” …

Amanda Turner on IG – Dutch Pull Van Gelder from Rotterdam

Another test positive for cocaine? …

UPDATE: The late night press conference seemed to reveal nothing. Here’s one translation from Dutch:

Yuri van Gelder is out … for medical reasons of a personal nature …

Hans Gootjes of the Dutch Federation was spokesman, not Yuri. … So the speculation continues.

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