Oleg Verniaiev has returned

UPDATE. Oleg is now training with the National Team.

ODDS of Ukraine qualifying a full team to Paris and contending for a team medal in Paris would be increased if Oleg can get back to form.

On the other hand, Ukraine might boycott if gymnasts from RUS are allowed into the Olympics.

… Verniaiev has been able to successfully argue that he did not take meldonium intentionally and his suspension was reduced, although not annulled. He is now eligible to compete again.

Additionally, even if he does not return to competition as an athlete, the suspension also prevented him from attending international competitions as a coach or official, so he will now be able to continue working in gymnastics with no restrictions. …

Baku World Cup highlights

I’ve only heard great things about the competition. Azerbaijan is a great host.

With four medals, including golds from Olympic hopefuls Coline Devillard and Marine Boyer, the 2024 Olympic host nation emerged as the most successful at the third of four FIG World Cup events. …

Yulo, the 23-year-old from Manila displayed his usual impeccable form as he sailed to the titles on men’s Vault and Parallel Bars, ending Illia Kovtun’s (UKR) streak of six World Cup titles on the latter. …

Local hero Nikita Simonov (AZE) earned the host nation’s only medal with his win on Still Rings …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. MAG & WAG.

Kat LeVasseur deserves 10s

I’m OK with Kat’s 10s on Vault.

By any standard of NCAA, these are amongst the best Vaults.

Harry Hepworth – Vault

Nile Wilson wins Dancing on Ice

Congratulations to Nile and partner Olivia Smart.

Nile was the first male competitor ever to show the ‘headbanger‘ — 😀. It’s actually banned in competitive skating.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Maryland, Yale, Temple, George Washington, Towson

America’s best and brightest standing up for human rights.

All are created equal.

And — therefore — all wear the same leo. 😀

Carly Dockendorf coaching Beam

Click through for a terrific interview.

Ironically, the first must-have on Utah associate head coach Carly Dockendorf’s checklist of essentials for a Red Rocks beam worker is something she didn’t possess as an athlete herself: a love for the apparatus.

“To be honest, I was terrible at beam as a gymnast,” admitted Dockendorf. “It was my worst event. …

… last season their beam NQS was the highest in the NCAA on any apparatus—a feat they’re in the process of repeating with their 49.670 leading the nation currently. …

Behind the Scenes of Utah’s Beam Dynasty

This photo is from a 2020 post on College Gym News – Dockendorf Brings Unique Experience to Utah and Coaching

Baku World Cup MAG Finals 2

MAG judges rarely credit vaulters with FAR superior form in the air. Happily, Yulo took the gold as he is FAR cleaner than most of the rest.

Baku World Cup Finals 2