Lizzie Dolan, Mismo Gymnastics.
Hire photographer Jonathan Qualben to do one for YOU.
Shawn Johnson flips over bobsled
I don’t know how they create these video edits.
Is Shawn flipping in front of a green screen?
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Well, the latest viral videos to hit the Internet is here, and it features 2008 Olympics gymnastics gold medalist Shawn Johnson vs. 2006 short-track speedskating gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno.
In the videos, Ohno challenges Johnson to backflip over a bobsled as it careens down a bobsled run. If she accepts the offer and completes the challenge, Ohno agrees to skate down the boblsed run. …
Click through to Gymnastics Examiner to see the Ohno stunt. Oh no!
It looks much more realistic.
Russian gymnastics – compulsory optionals
There’s much positive buzz about the return to greatness of Russian gymnastics.
What are they doing right?
grishinagan from Russia has hundreds of routines posted on a YouTube channel.
Senor Nico linked to 3 of them:
Like the US, the lower levels of gymnastics in Russia have compulsory routines. But I just noticed how they go about doing them. …
Basically the actual elements they do (tumbling passes, dance skills) have to be the same. But they can choose whatever music and choreography they like. They can also arrange the skills in any order they wish.
Click PLAY or watch Floor routine 1, Baturina Ekaterina, on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch Floor routine 2, Orlova Aleksandra, on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch Floor routine 3, Yazidzan Aleksandra, on YouTube.
I’ve always liked the concept of “compulsory optionals”.
Read more comments on IG forum – Something interesting the Russians do with compulsories
Shawn Johnson “Little Wonders”
The little girl from Iowa is still talking about a possible return to competitive gymnastics.
I doubt it.
kevinthehawk put together a lovely montage of her gymnastics and celebrity careers.
… For an amazing athlete who inspired people everwhere with her talent, dedication, and angel like attitude with her big smile that always makes me smile too, …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Chinese gymnasts may YET be underage
From FIG by email:
In the context of the disciplinary proceedings involving Chinese gymnasts Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, suspected of having violated minimum age requirements for participation in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the FIG Disciplinary Commission invited the two athletes to appear with representatives from the Chinese Gymnastic Association at a hearing held at FIG headquarters, December 19 – 20, 2009.
Note that a legal statement issued by the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) confirmed the FIG as the authority competent to conduct a full investigation; it fell to the Federation to examine the case and draw its own conclusions as to whether or not the age limit was violated and which subsequent sanctions will be issued.
After an extensive interview with the two parties and witnesses present, the Disciplinary Commission, composed of Mr Rached Gharbi (TUN), President, Ms Margarida Dias Ferreira (POR) and Marc Schoenmaekers (BEL), will submit its recommendations to the FIG Authorities. A decision will be brought at the next Executive Committee meeting, scheduled for February 26, 2010 in Lausanne (SUI).
AP Photo by AMY SANCETTA
So, FIG has final authority to make a decision. And will make a decision. Congratulations.
The girls are 10yrs older. But I’m pleased to see a ruling will be made one way or the other, rather than sweep the touchy issue under the rug.
If you read this blog regularly, you know I’m convinced that Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun were both underage at the 2000 Olympics.
gymnast Daiane Dos Santos drug appeal
From FIG by email:
FIG Disciplinary Commission
GYMNAST HEARD
Lausanne (SUI) – FIG Office, December 21, 2009: The FIG Disciplinary Commission heard Brazilian gymnast Daiane Dos Santos on Friday, December 18, 2009, in Lausanne (SUI) after she tested positive for furosemide on July 2, 2009 during an out-of-competition test.
Composed of Rached Gharbi (TUN) President, Ms Margarida Dias Ferreira (POR) and Paul Engelmann (SUI), the Disciplinary Commission described the hearing as transparent, positive and constructive. It will bring its conclusions before the FIG Presidential Commission on January 26th.
Note that the proceedings opened against Daiane Dos Santos, 2003 World Floor Champion in Anaheim (USA) and winner of the 2006 World Cup in her discipline, are in keeping with the rules in force, according to which a therapeutic use exemption request must be made in the event that an athlete necessitates the use of a prohibited substance.
http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.js
Since the Discipline Committee is actually meeting, perhaps we’ll finally get a decision from them on whether or not China was guilty of competed with two underage gymnasts at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
UPDATE … A ruling will be made February 26, 2010.
Food Inc. – the movie
It’s the season of gluttony where I live. Perhaps we need rent this movie to slow the gorge.
Food, Inc. is a 2008 American documentary film directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Kenner.
The film examines large-scale agricultural food production in the United States, concluding that the meat and vegetables produced by this type of economic enterprise have many hidden costs and are unhealthy and environmentally-harmful.
The film is narrated by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, two long-time critics of the industrial production of food.[ The documentary generated extensive controversy in that it was heavily criticized by large American corporations engaged in industrial food production. …
Excellent. Scary. Recommended. It had an unbelievably high rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
I felt the movie was quite “balanced”. Their charges against big agriculture are indefensible.
… The producers invited on-screen rebuttals from Monsanto Company, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, Perdue Farms, and other companies, but all declined the invitation. …
companion book – Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food Is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer—And What You Can Do About It
Related posts:
• Fast Food Nation
• Super Size Me – teaching kids about fast food
update – coach awarded $25.5 million
shergymrag found more information on Florida coach Shane Downey who was paralyzed on a tumbltrak in 2000.
… I’m even more convinced that Shane should take some responsibility for his accident. As sher says, he’s certainly experienced enough to know to ask for a spot if he might need one.
Make it or Break It – Canada
Season 1 of the hit TV series will be on Canadian TV starting Wednesday on MuchMusic TV.
Make it or Break it, which originates on ABC Family in the United States, follows a group of young gymnasts as they back-stab and trash-talk each other while competing for spots on the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team.
The series stars Vancouver native Chelsea Hobbs as Emily Kmetko ..
Season 1 premiere is online now at MuchMusic.com.
Season 2 starts on American TV early in the new year.
Love for Rhythmic Gymnastics
Kaja is a young Rhythmic Gymnast from Norway who’s video montages have already generated over 6 million views.
Most popular is one called Rhythmics is NOT easy!. Thanks Anastasia Umeh for linking to it.
But I prefer another titled Love for Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This much better explains why a young girl might be inspired to take up the extreme sport of Rhythmic gymnastics.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 