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The episode — Thursday, Sept. 21st on CBS in many locales — opens in the Cirque du Soleil KÀ theatre.

Cameras are never allowed in KÀ , except this time.

Check sneak preview footage from the episode in John Mayer’s new music video.

Does this error look familiar?

A coach needs to progress carefully to avoid the arch on the upswing of a giant swing.

Brian Bakalar has a nice overview of the giant on his Gymnastics Revolution website. The images on this site by Brian and photographer Philip Morton are simply the best on the net.

more Gymnastics Revolution articles

I was surprised to see how well the best in the world handled the new mega Big Air ramp at X Games this summer. It looks far too dangerous. Especially from the 80ft-high roll in.

Great- Wall-of-China-jumping Danny Way is still the man. He is starting to make his gainer back somersault look easy.

I won’t blame you if you skip this one. But click PLAY if you want to see the insanity. Or watch insanity on YouTube.

Today Gymnastics Canada Gymnastique confirmed the seven member men’s team for next month’s world championships in Aarhus, Denmark. The team is Nathan Gafuik (U of Calgary), Grant Golding (U of Calgary), Ken Ikeda (Abbostford Twisters), David Kikuchi (Alta), Brandon O’Neil (Capital City), Kyle Shewfelt (U of Calgary), and Adam Wong (Calgary Gymnastics Center).

2006 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Gymnastics Canada

The Canadian team is one to be reckoned with. They have never been stronger.

Interesting sidebar is Grant Golding who went to Cirque du Soleil for months of training (after Pacific Alliance) and is back on the National Team roster. One day he may be a performer in a show — but for now look for him at Worlds in Denmark.

One day to win Bars you will need multiple release parts.

Chinese gymnast Xiao Tingting shows 6 in one routine (counting Pak) in a 2006 World Cup competition in Shanghai. Not surprisingly she took the gold in this her first international event.

No doubt she is the first to include in one routines Tkatchev to Gienger; Hindorff; Jaeger, and Comaneci.

Click PLAY to see the future. Or watch the video on YouTube.

Thanks Jess.

Click on the thumbnail photo of the gymnast on beam for a more educatioinal look.

On the recommendation of sport scientist Jenni McNeal, we visited the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul for the BODY WORLDS exhibition.

We saw 200 authentic human specimens, including entire bodies, preserved through the process of Plastination, a technique that replaces bodily fluids and fat with plastic.

The purported goal of the exhibit is to “educate the public about the inner workings of the human body”. But it is ghoulish fascination which has been drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to this and 2 other touring shows.

more photos of the Body World exhibits on Flickr

I am booked to again attend the GWGF 2007, one of my favourite events of the gymnastics year. This competition has quickly grown to be one of the largest in the USA. It will be nearing 2000 participants, men and women, with the addition of second venue.

Every athlete gets awards. Cash prizes too. Live band. Sound and light show with smoke machine.

It’s close to world class skiing so you can look for me there the day after the meet.

Kids feel important at the GWGF because it is housed in one of the best resorts in the States, the gorgeous Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The Men’s and Women’s meet is hosted by Funtastics Gymnastics, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The meet director is David Adlard. Fly into Spokane airport.

More information can be found on the Funtastics GWGF page.

At Championships USA 2006 there was more talk about Shantessa’s bars routine than any other competitor — including Liukin.

Already famous for competing triple back dismount in the past, this year Shantessa used more unusual skills than anyone else in the meet. Perhaps in the world.

It is refreshing to see an athlete look for a competitive edge by being original. Is it time yet (again) for an originality bonus in the code?

If you have not seen Shantessa’s routine click PLAY or watch the clip on YouTube.

official website – Shantessa Pama

There is no end to gymnast training clips on the internet these days.

This one I post because it is well edited with some very interesting effects. Plus Shantessa is an artistic, world class gymnast!

Click PLAY — or watch the clip on YouTube.

includes Stalder hecht to high on bars, 1/1 twist on beam

official website – Shantessa Pama

Rick McCharles

“Artists” who want to be hired by Cirque du Soleil, must apply to attend audition. This means putting together a resumé and video of what you can do.

Cirque is looking for ultra-fit, talented athletes from all acrobatic disciplines.

If you are one of the lucky ones “hired” from audition, you travel to Montreal to train at their state-of-the-art facilities. I’ve been there many times. It’s a fantastic place.

For the first time, however, I stayed at the Cirque apartments directly opposite the campus.

This gave me a glimpse of the lifestyle of the young people training there. It’s a busy day filled with sessions that may include dance, theatre, trampoline, tumbling, circus acts and much, much more.

The residence offers computers, recreation, movie nights, video games and more. Everything you need is close. The vibe is like an international youth hostel.

The first language is French but most things are translated to English, Russian and sometimes Spanish.

I feel it’s a wonderful life experience just to train in Montreal — after which you may or may not get hired for one of the 13 Cirque du Soleil troupes.

Employment opportunities are good. Cirque is adding about one show each year to their line-up.

Coaches who have athletes who might be interested can email Rick McCharles for more information.