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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.
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.
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
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.
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
In response to the you’ve come a long way baby video, Laura sent in a link to some unique photos of the 1956 Olympics. (Women’s events were introduced at the 1928 games.)
Training conditions were a little different back then:
The page is called Australian Women at the 1956 Olympics – WAG. Click through. There is a ton of content. What a wonderful archive!
When rules change in any sport, there are winners and losers in the transition.
University of Minnesota coach Mike Burns knows that Guillermo Alvarez lost out under the perfect 17+ code.
Guillermo on waiting for the final team to be named at Olympic Trials:
… Saturday night as the selectors got ready to meet: “I’m hoping for the best and bracing for the worst.”
Coach praises his consistency
Burns noted that Alvarez was the only athlete on the floor who had gone through 24 high-pressure routines in the U.S. championships and then the trials without one fall.
“He’s the most consistent guy on the national team,” Burns said. …
Dependable Alvarez falls just short of Olympic gymnastics team – MinnPost.com
There was a day when consistency, artistry and being an all-around gymnast got you to the Olympics. But in 2008 having high A-scores and a few huge events is what the sport demands.
Congratulations Guillermo. Your old school fans really appreciate everything you did in trying to qualify for Beijing. Hold your head high.
Here’s some old footage of his terrific gymnastics:
They got ’em.
Who will do horse in Team Finals?
Paul Hamm, Morgan Hamm and … ???
The obvious choice is Sasha Artemev. (Who was named an alternate.)
TKO did the math on the Gymblog concluding that the Olympic selectors would be better off replacing Justin Spring with Sasha. (That would maximize the team score.)
… while Artemev could have theoretically added 1.35 to the team total, there was only a 25 percent probability of that occurring (based on his Nationals and Trials results), and a far better shot that he’d bring three tenths, or less, to the table, if he continued to struggle. The fact that Artemev was also wildly inconsistent on his other events, meant those were odds the Selection Committee didn’t want to bet on. …
I hope non-selection give Sasha the motivation to PROVE to the Olympic selectors that he can hit in Beijing. If Paul Hamm does not recover from hand surgery quickly enough to do Pommels — they may be forced to add Artemev to the team.
Assuming Sasha looks FANTASTIC at training camp.
Alexander Artemev – ESPN
Related post: Worley, Artemev – Olympics slipping away?
I heard rumours that NCAA Champion Casey Sandy, who finished 3rd AA at Canadian Championships, was not invited to try out for the Canadian Olympic Team.
That’s not quite true.
Casey was invited. But it was explained to him at Nationals that his odds of being named to the 6 man competition team were low due to selection criteria.
This is a shame for Casey as he was part of the 2007 World’s team that qualified Canada to Beijing.
He opted out. His choice.
I spoke to 2004 Olympic coach Tony Smith on his return from the last Olympic Team training camp. He’s happy that all of the top Seniors except Casey were there and functionally healthy. That includes Kyle Shewfelt.
Canada will have a strong team, even without the NCAA Champion from Penn State. Casey is certainly the favourite to repeat as All-around College Champion in 2009, his Senior year.
photo by Carrine Night
Casey Sandy photo on Pommels – Gymnastics Canada – Grace Chiu
My two favourite American gymnasts are long shots to make it to the competition floor in Beijing.
Shayla Worley – fell from bars Day 2 – (AP Photo/Rob Carr) – ESPN
Sasha Artemev – (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) – ESPN
Both are still in contention for selection though Sasha is already officially an alternate.
An injury ridden year for Shayla. Falling on Pommel Horse, his best apparatus, 3 of the past 4 meets for Sasha. …
I’m assuming neither will make the final competition team.
The “artistry quotient” for USA drops big time.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 