Airex brand mat I saw being used at the University of Calgary Gymnastics training centre.
Thick, soft, light and easy to clean.
I like it.
the IMPOSSIBLE photography of Li Wei
Acrobatic performance art. This Chinese photographer stages astonishing scenes.
His website: liweiart.com
(via Gymnast.com)
That hurt. In my bathing suit place.
Canada’s funniest comedian Rick Mercer is introduced to 10m diving by Olympic medalist Alexandre Despatie.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube (6min).
related post: Shewfelt interviewed by comedian Rick Mercer
Level 2 Technical Gymnastics coaching course
I assisted Lisa Smith with a 5 day coach education course at her gym, University of Calgary.
Here Lisa (in pink) leads the coaches in an Artistic Preparation session.
larger version – flickr
Highlights of the course included interesting, unusual drills recommended by Belgian coach Yves Hauglustaine from Capital City Gymnastics Club in Edmonton:
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Beautiful.
Yves and I are right now at the Funtastics HPTC Gymnastics Camp in Idaho. I will try to get more video of his work.
NBC sucks, Microsoft sucks
NBC came so close to hitting the Olympic target with their unprecedented online coverage of the Beijing Olympics.
In the end, they shot themselves in the foot.
Fans not in the USA already hate NBC.
Now fans inside the USA will hate them too:
NBC is offering complete streaming of the Olympics over the internet for the first time ever …
Unfortunately, it will only be available to Microsoft Vista users.
In an age where even the most basic computer can watch YouTube videos, the decision to only work with the Vista operating systems seems quite ludicrous.
To make it even worse it will only be available to the Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Vista …
NBC will be selling targeted advertising in the video feeds which will become available after the event has been shown live.
So of the worldwide audience, what percentage have those two versions of Vista?
Far, far less than half. NBC will frustrate more than half the people logging in to try to watch coverage.
Cutting a deal with Microsoft is getting into bed with the devil. Bad call NBC.
Top ten terrible tech products 2007 – Microsoft Vista – Cnet
Reality Check – USA vs China Men
Andrew Thornton has a sobering post analyzing the potential difference in start score: Reality Check for USA Men’s Olympic Team
GRAND TOTALS:
2008 U.S. Team: 115.1
2008 Chinese Team: 121.4
Those numbers are gross estimates. But likely fairly close.
Is a six point “head-start†possible to overcome?
If China falls 7 times in 3-up, 3-count team finals, their starting scores will be close.
Can the USA beat China in B-score?
I think not.
FUNtastics Gymnastics Summer Camp starts today
For the 6th year in a row, I’m in Couer d’Alene, Idaho for Adlard’s annual camp.
The coaching line-up is really strong.
More posts to come.
Level 3 gymnastics coaching course Calgary 2008
Thanks to all those who attended and “passed” a week long coach education blitz in Calgary after the Canadian Championships.
And a special thanks to the expert presenters: David Kenwright, Lisa Smith, Julia Spivak, Ed Louie, Keith Russell and Bin Fan.
larger version – flickr – more clinic photos
A highlight was the many high level gymnasts we had demonstrating including Cam Taylor, Megan Farris, Jodi McKellar (Iowa State), Stephanie McGregor (Oregon State) and National Team member Sydney Sawa.
Here are a few video snippets to give you a feel for what happened at the event.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
more information on course content
2008 YMCA Gymnastics Championships
The 2008 YMCA National Championships & Festival will be held in the beautiful lake shore city of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Opening ceremonies and open workout will be held on June 25th, and the competition will conclude on June 28th, 2008.
Beth Tweddle injured – will not defend
One of the fan favourites for the Olympics suffered an untimely injury.
Liverpool gymnast Beth Tweddle will not defend her all-round title at the British Championships on Saturday.
The 23-year-old is recovering from an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for the Beijing Olympics.
Her coach Amanda Kirkby told BBC Radio Merseyside: “She turned an ankle 10 days ago. Unfortunately she won’t be able to defend her title.
“Beijing shouldn’t be a problem …
Beth Tweddle – official website
Gymnastics Coaching.com 