Maggie Haney’s suspension reduced

When we first heard in April 2020 Haney‘s suspension was 8 years, I was surprised. Obviously USAG had strong evidence.

She failed “to provide a safe, positive and healthy environment with a culture of trust and empowerment.”

I’d not heard her respond until a recent NY Times interview.

The gymternet reaction was critical. Some called the article a fluff piece, not an interview. Some felt it was just part of a coordinated PR campaign to reinvent her reputation.

NY Times reporter Juliet Macur is well credentialed, by the way. And an athlete. Captain of the Columbia University rowing team.

NEXT we learned an arbitrator reduced the USA Gymnastics suspension for physical, verbal and emotional abuse from eight to five years.

Haney has also been named in a series of civil lawsuits filed in New Jersey by the families of former MG Elite gymnasts who allege they were physically, verbally and emotionally abused, body shamed and pressured to compete and train while injured by the coach. …

OCR

The Skating Lesson interviewed more than a dozen gymnasts, parents and family members who have trained under Maggie Haney and Vicky Levine at MG Elite.

Listen to those interviews here.

landing in handstand

Here’s a great drill for introducing forward handspring and flyspring to beginners.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Louter & Kiens out from Federation

The Dutch Federation removed coaches Frank Louter and Patrick Kiens from their National Team responsibilities. Both can coach at their clubs.

Kiens can continue to coach Eythora Thorsdottir and Kirsten Polderman. Louter can continue to coach Sara van Disseldorp and Laura de Witt.

This was unrelated to the ongoing disciplinary investigation.

Vincent Wevers and Nico Zijp stay on with National Team.

Details on Nos Sport. (Dutch)

USAG Athlete Bill of Rights

As we celebrate Human Rights Day and reflect upon the significance of empowerment and advocacy, we are proud to introduce the USA Gymnastics Athlete Bill of Rights.

All athletes have the right to: 

* Participate in gymnastics

* Train and compete safely

* Have their personal health and wellness prioritized

* Be treated with dignity and respect

* Receive proper instruction

* Provide input on matters that directly affect them

* Voice opinions on issues that affect the gymnastics community

* Expect integrity and transparency

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Nastia movie – Little Olympians

The Olympic Champ will be a part of a planned small film being put together by former Rhythmic Olympian Mary Sanders.

new Oleg Verniaiev interview

Oleg. Oleg.

Always interesting. Always entertaining.

He’s not competing Europeans* this week, but we do have this.

Goals… Well, as you can see my cycle was not an easy one.

In 2018, I went through two surgeries. In 2019, two surgeries.

I didn’t manage to fully recover so the postponement of the Olympic Games is probably more good news than sad news for me. …

I want to return to the all-around leaders race. …

… there will not just be Dalaloyan and Nagornyy [to compete with]. I think there will be Xiao Ruoteng and Sam Mikulak. This is just from the current guys …

OC: It’s a tough question to ask, but looking from the outside in. What are your thoughts on the abuse situations that have been reported in gymnastics in the United States and Great Britain? What do you feel for athletes who spoke up about this topic and revealed what happened to them?

I find violence inadmissible. When someone yells at you that you are a fool, that you are bad and you get a cuff on the nape or beaten up – it’s wrong and I’m against it. I believe that such coaches should be kicked out or punished. …

I was incredibly lucky with my first coach – Olga Ermakova. She’s in Australia now coaching. …

Exclusive Q&A: Oleg Verniaiev on Olympic success, his Tokyo 2020 goals, Simone Biles and more

Nastia v Alica for mental health

Who’s the fitter gymnast in 2021?

Alicia has 3 kids — but I wouldn’t bet against her legendary fitness.

The Olympians have scheduled a Fun, Friendly Fitness Competition for Dec. 12, 2020 March 6, 2021.

Inside Gymnastics just posted a new interview with the gladiators. 😀

A LIVE stream ticket costs $19. It’s a fundraiser for mental health.

Details – BigFight.us

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Yuri Titov interview

Three-time Olympian and former president of the FIG Yuri Titov turned 85 in November. He gave an interview to TASS on this occasion and talked about his career and the current generation of Russian gymnasts. …

Titov won Olympic gold as a part of the 1956 Soviet team and multiple silver and bronze medals but never the all-around gold:

“Talking about the Olympics, I consider myself somewhat a loser. At my first Games in 1956 in Melbourne, I got injured a few hours before the opening ceremony. …

gymnovosti

Titov opposed both the 1980 and 1984 boycotts.

473 former College gymnasts surveyed

Dave Tilley one of the authors of this study.

Gymnastics is a popular sport with high injury rates, especially at the collegiate level. …

The median age of gymnastics specialization was 8 years [interquartile range = 6-11 years]. The proportion of injuries sustained during college did not significantly differ by specialization age.

A significantly greater proportion of early specializers required surgery for college sports-related injuries (60% vs. 44%; p = 0.02).

Forty-two percent of the respondents reported concussion history, and a greater proportion of those with concussion history reported seeking mental health treatment during college (32% vs. 23%; p = 0.03), and anxiety disorder diagnosis (16% vs. 9%; p = 0.01).

Disordered eating history was reported by 34% of the respondents …

Conclusion: Athletes and clinicians should be aware of the long-term effects of early specialization, concussions, and disordered eating in gymnastics as these issues are common in female collegiate gymnasts.

Health outcomes among former female collegiate gymnasts: the influence of sport specialization, concussion, and disordered eating