Valeriy Goncharov interview

In 2004, Valeriy Goncharov became Ukraine’s second-ever male gymnast to earn Olympic gold, capturing the top spot on parallel bars in Athens. …

Just 15 when the Soviet Union crumbled, Goncharov represented Ukraine at three Olympic Games (2000-08), winning seven Olympic, World and World Cup medals in a senior career that began at the 1997 World Championships and spanned more than a decade. …

Oklahoma assistant coach Valeriy Goncharov:

One day (Rustam Sharipov) called me and said, ‘Listen, there is an open position in Oklahoma, and I think it’s a really good opportunity. It’s one of the best places I’ve worked. I’m going to text you a phone number and you should call Mark (Williams) right away.’ …

You still have a large contingent of family and friends in Ukraine, how difficult has that been this past year?

Every day it’s like half of me is here, and half of me is there, worrying about all the people I know, I care about. Nothing has really changed since the beginning, and things don’t seem to be getting better, unfortunately.

I’ve had the same routine every day for a year now. I wake up, call my friends, call my family, to know what’s going on. It is very difficult. …

Do you have any thoughts about the IOC saying it could be possible for Russian and Belarussian athletes could compete in the 2024 Olympics under a neutral flag?

You know, a recent case I just saw, Ukrainian and Russian soccer teams met by accident in Turkey, and it was a huge fight. A physical fight. Just because they saw each other in a hotel.

I think it’s difficult to imagine, in the situation we are in now, how we could compete together. How we could share the Olympic dream. I don’t know, maybe it could happen, but right now I have a lot of doubts. …

Inside Gymnastics – FROM UKRAINE WITH LOVE, PART TWO: VALERIY GONCHAROV

197.950 Oklahoma – Florida 197.700

With some of the top names out of the Gators line-up, #1 OU defeated #2 Florida in one of the most anticipated competitions of the season.

In fact, after an excellent 1st rotation, neither team had a terrific meet.

’23 Doha World Cup MAG Final 1

As usual, the Men’s field at this World Cup is much stronger than WAG.

’23 Doha World Cup Final 1

FIG continues ban on RUS & BLR

Good decision.

Official today via email:

Unfortunately, the conflict in Ukraine, which started just over a year ago, is still going on.

Considering the exceptional circumstances related to this conflict, the FIG Executive Committee has decided, based on the new Article 13.3 of the FIG Statutes in force since 1 January 2023, to confirm the measures taken on 26 February 2022 and on 4 March 2022, in particular the measure according to which Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions until further notice.

The present measures enter into force with immediate effect and replace and supersede all measures previously taken by the FIG Executive Committee.

The FIG will continuously monitor the overall situation and may reassess those measures depending on the evolution of the circumstances.

Official News from the Executive Committee – March 2023

funding NCAA Gymnastics Coaching jobs ➙ UCLA

… alumna Rita C. Rothman (’70) … establish The R.C. Rothman UCLA Head Gymnastics Coach Endowment in support of the head gymnastics coach’s position. In honor of Rothman’s gift, the position will now be known as The R.C. Rothman UCLA Head Gymnastics Coach. …

“I began my volunteer and philanthropic involvement in 1982 with the UCLA Gymsters, the booster group for men’s and women’s gymnastics, serving as president for seven years,” said Rothman. “This contribution is a tribute to Coach Valorie Kondos Field’s 37-year extraordinary tenure of guiding UCLA Gymnastics to seven NCAA championships and worldwide recognition.”
 
A dedicated alumna, volunteer and supporter, Rita Rothman’s boundless commitment to UCLA has served the university for more than 40 years. …

UCLA Athletics Receives Gift to Endow Head Gymnastics Coach Position

Kameron Nelson – Floor

Winter Cup Champ on Floor and Vault, Kameron was added to the U.S. National Team.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Triple back.

Rustam Sharipov interview

A member of the gold-medal-winning Unified Team in 1992, Rustam Sharipov returned in 1996 to claim Ukraine’s first men’s gymnastics gold, with a parallel bars win in Atlanta, where the Ukrainian men’s team also claimed bronze. …

Ohio State head coach Rustam Sharipov:

You became a U.S. citizen in 2008 and have lived in the United States for more than 20 years now, but you have family still living in Ukraine.

Yes, my parents are still there, my brother is still there, my nephew. I’m glad they are fine so far, but it’s hard every day …

The IOC recently said they’d consider letting athletes from Belarus and Russia compete under a neutral flag in 2024. As a Ukrainian Olympian, what are your feelings about that?

When this war first began, I sort of agreed about keeping politics and sports separate, but then I saw Russian athletes start actively supporting the war, supplying stuff for the war, and creating young military kids who are going to ‘protect’ their country…That’s when I completely changed. 

This idea that letting Russia and Belarus compete will help bring the war to an end? That’s, excuse me, B.S.  …

The other thing that really bothers me is that the Russians, their life didn’t change. They have everything they need to prepare for competitions, while Ukraine athletes…Some are dying, and most don’t have a place to practice, no coach, no gym. But the IOC says they should compete on the same field? That’s not fair. …

Inside Gymnastics – FROM UKRAINE WITH LOVE, PART ONE: RUSTAM SHARIPOV