Gymnastics Coaching.com

Comedian Stephen Colbert is at the Winter Olympics as “Assistant Sports Psychologist” to the U.S. Speed Skating Team. As well as a colour commentator for NBC.

Stephen’s personal philsophy is clearly stated on his personal poster.

Where I live in Canada there’s controversy regarding our “OWN THE PODIUM” program.

That’s a 5yr, $120 million fund created to put Canada first in medals won at the Vancouver Olympics. And in the top 3 in Paralympics.

Canadian athletes in the past, famously, have been gracious in defeat. Garnering more than our share of 4th and 5th place finishes. It’s about time we made it clear that our athletes are not “tourists”, as Dick Pound once called them.

Canadian athletes praise Own The Podium. And so do I.

I disagree with most of the complaints I’ve heard against Own The Podium. The only serious accusation is that the organizing committee scheduled too little practice time for foreign athletes at the competition venues. The Canadians got a lot more time, I hear. If so, the IOC needs change the rules.

GEM posted a couple of links relative to the story of the luger who died on a training run. Here’s one:

Kumaritashvili had just 26 practice runs, as opposed to the 200 for the Canadians

Be sure to read all the details before jumping to any conclusion.

I finally saw this low budget Romanian documentary.

… famous for the legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and its boarding school, which for decades has trained world class gymnasts.

Pitic and Malina might be two of its future stars, but the long road to the podium is full of deprivation. They are eight and nine years old and have been at the school in Deva since they were six. They train for four hours every day and spend the rest of their time in school.

This documentary follows the girls … leading up to their first and most important competition, capturing an intimate and moving insight into the contrast between their dreams, and the often harsh reality.

Teachers.tv

I’ve got mixed feelings. Perhaps that’s not surprising. I’ve got mixed feelings about Romanian gymnastics.

On the one hand, with a population only about as large as Texas, one of the poorest nations in Europe consistently bested Russia, China and the U.S.A.

Their girls were incredibly tough on Floor and Beam. For decades after Nadia.

On the other hand, I’ve heard more nonsense coaching theory from Romanians than any place else in the world. What kind of coach education system have they had there? None? I’m told there’s an intensive program. I’d love to see the curriculum.

The 3 coaches highlighted in this film are excellent examples of how not to coach.

Yes I realize I’m imposing Western values on Romania. Aside from ethics, what’s shown in the documentary is simply not the best way to develop elite gymnasts.

I do get the impression that things have improved there since Nicolae Forminte took over as National Coach.

Leave a comment if you know where people can download or stream The Secret of Deva.

Related posts:

• remember Adriana Giurca (1982-1993)

• allegations of gymnast abuse in Romania

Romanian-Gymnastics.com posts a Wall of Shame naming coaches who have been accused of being abusive.

(via Stephthemagicdragon on IG forum)

To their moms, Team USA athletes will always be their kids.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

THANKS Sports Girls Play. What a beautiful message.

And thanks Proctor and Gamble.

From Gymnastics Australia President Ken Williamson:

I wish to advise that Jane Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Gymnastics Australia, tendered her resignation as of 1st February 2010. Jane has accepted the position of CEO of British Gymnastics and subject to visa approval will commence in her new position in April 2010. …

What a move. To the nation hosting the next Olympics. Congratulations Jane.

Thanks David.

Who else?

LSU’s Susan Jackson has been on the top of this list since week 1.

It’s the Year of the Tiger.

top 25

There are far too few photos of Susan Jackson on the internet. Here’s one of the little girl who dreamed of being a champion one day.

It’s from her sitesbymorgan website, not updated in years.

Roll Tide.

With a brilliant 197.425 in a win over Florida, Alabama is back on top of the standings. (Oklahoma actually has a slightly higher RQS.)

top 25

Falls on balance beam and out-of-bounds deductions on floor exercise cost fifth-ranked UCLA in a 195.975-195.625 loss to eighth-ranked Stanford on Sunday afternoon in Pauley Pavilion. …

Vanessa Zamarripa won the all-around (39.5), beam (9.9) and floor (9.9). Brittani McCullough won the vault with a 9.9 while debuting a Yurchenko 1.5 vault. …

Out-Of-Bounds Penalties Cost Bruins In Loss To Stanford

… Stanford was shaky on balance beam …

results

Congratulations to the new Olympic Champion.

And well deserved. Perfect back layout double twist. (I don’t care about the moguls or speed of the run.)

alexbilodeau.com

I’ll post video for both men and women when video eventually gets posted online.

Oft injured Rebecca should be in good shape for March 6th, the American Cup.

How’s she doing?

Click PLAY or watch her beam from the WOGA meet this weekend on YouTube.

Should she replace that Sheep Jump?

Update. Marcus points out it’s not as bad as it looks at full speed.

Check the comments for other concerns.

Rebecca is a fantastic gymnast. But is she fantastic enough to be the next Olympic Champion from WOGA? …

I’m not convinced she is. Rebecca’s legs, especially on bars, are very deductible.

amazing capture by GrinnellGirl