GymCan Culture Report expected JAN 2023

Gymnastics Canada brought in McLaren Global Sport Solutions to review Ethics, Safety & Culture.

Richard McLaren, who led investigations into Russian doping and corruption in the International Weightlifting Federation, is well respected in the field.

I first filled out McLaren’s online survey. Better than most of those fill-in-the-blank forms.

At the end of that survey, I was asked if I would be available for an in-person online interview. Of course I was keen to do so — and that happened NOV 8th.

About 90 minutes long, I felt McLaren was very open to hearing everything I had to say regarding culture. We spent most of the time talking recommendations for the future.

For example, I was asked what 3 changes I’d make first IF I was suddenly in charge of Gymnastics Canada.

I did call McLaren out on independence and transparency. And left convinced GymCan will have no influence on their findings.

McLaren Global Sport Solutions and those within it are completely independent of Gymnastics Canada, its sponsors, and other stakeholders.

MGSS has been contracted by Gymnastics Canada to independently, and without any interference or dictates from the sport, develop a Roadmap to a Culture Review and a Safe Sport Policy Review.

Roadmap to a Culture Review & Safe Sport Policy Review terms of reference

For example, the McLaren Report of Canada Soccer published July 2022 was scathing.

I told my interviewers they should do exactly the same with Gymnastics if that’s what the investigation finds.

I’d recommend spokespeople from Gymnasts for Change Canada have interviews with McLaren. They will listen.

The documentary BROKEN – The Toxic Culture of Canadian Gymnastics was released this week.

Canadian victims can contact Gymnasts for Change:

gymnasts4change_canada@outlook.com

Gymnastics in Ireland

One of the most improved FIG nations, now with a World Champion.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Kids will be inspired by Rhys. He’s got a BIG online following.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Daiki Hashimoto & Boheng Zhang

Two of the greatest gymnasts all time. Quite evenly matched. Both young. Likely a rivalry for the ages.

It’s a good time to be alive.

Hashimoto Daiki:

“Competing against him was a motivation (today). The battle with Zhang Boheng is so good.” 

WHY wasn’t Kaylia Nemour at Worlds?

You probably saw her fantastic Bars routine from Arab Championships.

France wouldn’t let her compete for Algeria in Liverpool. Merde.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

This is Nina / Sunny level talent.

But she should switch to Straddle Cast handstands to avoid some angle deductions.

Kaylia Nemour was born in Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt, France on 30 December 2006 to a French mother and an Algerian father. …

Nemour became age-eligible for senior competition in 2022. Although her personal doctor cleared her to resume training, the French national team doctor was unwilling to do so.

As a result, Nemour opted to pursue changing her nationality to represent Algeria.

In July the International Gymnastics Federation approved the nationality change; however, because the French Gymnastics Federation blocked the request, Nemour will not be able to represent Algeria in FIG-sanctioned competitions (such as World Championships or African Championships) until July 2023.

Was Liverpool Judging improved?

I don’t pay much attention to scores when watching routines. The current FIG system is foolish, execution scores “boxed” too narrowly between best and worst.

BUT there were fewer complaints about judging at Worlds than usual.

And my gut feeling is that fewer blatant mistakes were made. Panels more willing to award a fair score to less well known gymnasts.

No doubt number crunchers will be looking more closely over coming days.

Fujitsu Infinity ➙ CAN & GBR

I’m no longer confused on this new award begun 2019.

Canada’s women and Great Britain’s men were awarded the Infinity Award presented by FIG partner Fujitsu at the 51st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Liverpool (GBR) on Sunday evening.

The award honours a national federation in Women’s and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics for its achievements at the World Championships. The winners are selected based on a combination of results, artistic merit, virtuosity in performance and challenges overcome.

FIG

U.S. $10,000 to each team. Actually it was U.S. $5000 to each team.

51ST FIG ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVERPOOL (GBR) 29 October – 06 November, 2022

Rhys’ Gold Pommels ’22

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

in praise of GymCastic

Of all social media providers in Liverpool, GymCastic had the biggest team. And worked the longest hours.

They also organized a LIVE show which entertained me and hundreds more LIVE and online.

I listen to a lot of podcasts. But if you don’t, I suggest you try this episode of GymCastic. The LAST day of the World Championships Finals.

Click through and hit PLAY.