What do you think of this look?
Better? Worse? … Or the same?
Is it more readable on a phone?
Leave a comment if you have an opinion. It’s an experiment.
Obama MUST go to Olympic vote
Most pundits feel the final decision will come down to Chicago vs Rio.
Personally, I’d be quite happy with Rio. Or Tokyo. (… or Toronto, sob.)
It should not go to Madrid. Europe hosts far too many Olympics.
But Chicago will win IF Obama goes to Copenhagen Friday, October 2nd to pitch the American bid in person. I believe his speech is already written and rehearsed. Air Force One fueled, the pilot ready.
IOC loves showmanship. Obama will steal the show. Chicago will win.
… Although IOC votes — by secret ballot over several rounds — can be highly unpredictable, Rio and Chicago look to be the main contenders. …
The decision may come down to two key issues: Will President Barack Obama go to Copenhagen to pitch Chicago’s case in person? Is the IOC ready to take a bit of a gamble on Rio and send the Olympics to South America for the first time? …
“There is sympathy of course for Rio because the games have never been in South America,” IOC executive board member Denis Oswald said. “In principle, yes, it would be nice for the universality of the games that we go to a new continent that has never organized games, but only if we are confident that all the technical and other requirements are met.”
Rio has bid before, but failed to make the list of finalists for the 2004 and 2012 Olympics. Another South American city — Buenos Aires, Argentina — fell short in the vote for 2004, as did a bid from Cape Town, South Africa.
But this time, Rio has made a convincing case for taking the Olympics to a new frontier. …
read more – ESPN – Close race to host 2016 Olympics nears finish
The best analysis I’ve seen is from Alan Abrahamson:
Alicia Sacramone – out of retirement
Of all the gymnasts that retired after Beijing, it’s Alicia I miss most.
… On August 6, 2009, almost exactly one year after the start of the Beijing Olympics, Sacramone announced her return to elite competition to Inside Gymanstics Magazine. The magazine initially posted her confirmation on its Twitter feed. …
Wikipedia – Alicia Sacramone
How is her training going?
I’ve not heard since the announcement.
Click PLAY or watch A montage for Alicia on YouTube.
(via Full In Full Out)
Olympic Bar Champ 1992 coaching in Washington
Lu Li, who shocked the gymnastics world with a perfect 10 in the uneven bar competition during the 1992 Games, is the new beam coach for the Junior Olympics team at Redmond-based Emerald City Gymnastics Academy.
“It’s a great honor to have her part of our program,” said Sandy Flores, who co-owns the academy with her sister, Susan Townsend. “She not only brings a lot of excitement, but professionalism and success.”So how did an Olympic gold-medalist find her way to Redmond?
Lu, who moved to California from China in 2000, was coaching at Champion Gymnastics in Stockton, Calif. when a “mutual friend” told Lu about the opening in Redmond. Lu said she her husband, Kim Gussenhoven, were already considering a move to the Northwest, so she jumped at this chance.
“I wanted to find a good place to raise a family and this came up, so I did it,” said Lu, who has a five-year-old son, John David Gussenhoven. “Everyone is really nice here. It feels like a family here. Right away, I felt that. I’m excited to be here.”
Lu’s first day was Monday and her arrival coincides with the recent opening of the Emerald City’s new 19,000-square foot West Facility, which is located right next to the academy’s East Facility at 17969 NE 65th Street.
A grand opening, open house for the new West Facility is set for Sept. 26.
Lu joins a coaching staff of 30 at the academy and is the first Olympic gymnast to coach in Washington state, according to Flores.
“I enjoy working with kids,” Lu said. “I want to share my experience with American kids and maybe someday I can help them make their dream come true.” …
read a great interview – Redmond hits the jackpot: Chinese Olympic gold medalist named new coach at Emerald City Gymnastics
Click PLAY or watch the 10.0 Gold medal winning routine on YouTube.
Nice hip flexion on that Jaeger.
(via Gymnastics Examiner)
Oprah backs Chicago Olympic bid
Rio is the front runner right now.
But I’m guessing the undecided on voting day will default to Chicago, the safest bet in uncertain economic times.
Oprah Winfrey joins Chicago 2016 delegation
The talk show queen will travel to Denmark next week to lobby International Olympic Committee members to award the 2016 Games to her beloved city.
The IOC will choose a host city Oct. 2, and Chicago is in a tight contest with Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
“I love and believe in Chicago, and I think it would be the perfect host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Winfrey said Wednesday.
Winfrey’s addition adds some serious star power to what was already an impressive delegation. First lady Michelle Obama will lead the group and be joined by 14 Olympic and two Paralympic gold medalists, including Michael Johnson, Nadia Comaneci, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Nastia Liukin. Ten other Olympians and Paralympians also are going.
And then there’s President Barack Obama. He is still trying to decide whether to appear personally on behalf of his adopted hometown …
Noticeably absent is Michael Jordan, who played for the Chicago Bulls and has appeared in videos supporting Chicago’s bid. …
The President must go to Denmark in person to win over the undecided. A surprise last-minute appearance and pitch would be best.
babies dancing to Beyoncé
My Facebook is filled with friends linking to this hilarious video of baby Cory.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This kid busts much better moves. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Looks like we have a meme, babies dancing to Beyoncé.
Episode 3 of the TV show Glee riffs on the Put a Ring on It dance, too. The football team uses it to win their first game.
have you seen Glee?
I heard a great interview with Matthew Morrison, star of the Fox TV series Glee.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
Leave a comment if you have an opinion on Glee.
You can watch recent episodes in Canada on Global. Watch recent episodes in the USA on Fox.
On iTunes, Season 1 (13 episodes) costs only $13.95.
another clip of the Garrison on beam
anna filmed and posted that incredible beam mount of Natsumi Sasada at Japan Juniors.
Perhaps the biggest skill we’ve seen all quadrennial, done superbly.
Click PLAY or watch it again, in training, on YouTube.
Wow!
Sasada finished 2nd on beam in the Final. She must have hit the mount again in that competition.
training at Aerial Athletics Gymnastics
This Workout Wednesday edit is a little long at 8min. But don’t miss the excellent Geinger progression at about 2min. … Come to think of it, that’s the only progression for Geinger. You’ll do it like Nastia.
Click PLAY or watch it on Gymnastike.
http://www.gymnastike.org/assets/portal/add_ons/mediaplayer-4.2/player.swf
This workout was filmed Thursday, September 10 at Aerial Athletics in San Antonio, Texas. Aerial Athletics is run by Heather Schnelzer whose coaching philosophy is centered around longevity with a priority on college scholarships for her athletes. In the past 7 years, she has produced 11 collegiate gymnasts. …
handstand … call the Sambulance
Gymnasts I coached a number of years ago in New Zealand made their first trip to North American this summer.
And had a great time!
photo from Sam’s facebook
Gymnastics Coaching.com 