What: Do your favorite Shannon Miller pose or choreography.
How: Post it on Twitter or Instagram, tag us and use any of these Steve Nunno quote hashtags: #ItsMillerTime or #InterGalacticChampion or #MillerTimeContest
Deadline: Monday, June 1st
Winner: Gets a copy of Shannon’s book!
The FIG announced changes to the qualification rules for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Teams can only send four all-arounders, for a three-up three-count finals format. Qualifying teams can still also send two individual event specialists who qualify through several results from World Championships, World Cups and Continental Championships. For example, the US could still send six gymnasts to compete, four for the team medal, plus two event specialists. Uncle Tim, Spencer, and Jessica chat about the new rules and more:
- New Olympic qualification rules:
- Our gut feelings about the rule: from horror to elation and mistrust.
- How will the new rules effect non-dominant teams and individual World medalists?
- A list of questions that need to be answered about implementation before we can decide if this is good or bad.
- Do we trust the FIG to implement the qualification system fairly?
- Individuals and countries who stand to be damaged the most by the new rules.
- What past Olympics have looked like for athletes like, Hollie Vise, Alicia Sacramone, Anna Li or Elizabeth Price if these rules had been in place.
- Rhonda Faehn left University of Florida to be Senior Vice President of Women’s Program
- Is Rhonda Faehn the House of Cards of gymnastics?
- We discuss the reasons she was chosen specifically for the position.
- Conspiracy theories about why a head college coach would leave…they never, ever leave.
- We also think that
- The Varna World Cup
- How soon is too soon to start fixing the equipment after a routine?
- Does the FIG need to have an intervention on behalf of Ri Se Gwang’s ankles?
- Pinheiro Rodrigues won rings with an Olympic cross.
- We got to see a Church from Dufournet.
- Sao Paolo World Cup
- Gymternet News:
- Brazilian Federation investigates racist video by Arthur Nory.
- Nastia almost made it to the finale of Dancing With The Stars.
- Shawn Johnson posts a cryptic message about tumbling again.
- The ugliest leotard we’ve ever seen: The Bavarian-tard.
- NCAA Nationals: new proposal for a four team final.
Which Gymnast Does Your State Love the Most? Find out here.
- 77: Aly Raisman
- Episode 9: Chellsie Memmel, Swiss Cup & FIG Presidential Proposals
- 148: Shannon Miller
- 139: Steve Butcher, President of the FIG Men’s Technical Committee
- 96: Australian Nationals & Men’s European Championships
- 88: Rhonda Faehn & Mackenzie Caquatto
- 74: Melanie Sinclair & A Review of Cirque’s Amaluna
- Episode 58: Charlotte Drury, Fall Euro Series & NCAA De-commits
- Episode 55: Worlds Wrap Up & Ferlito-Gate
- Episode 25: Fan Ye
- Episode 20: Jenni Pinches
- 30: Mary-Anne “Mez” Monckton
I think Spencer is right – although a team could be made of all arounders and specialists, teams will gravitate towards all arounders. Imagine a team of Mustafina (AA), Komova (AA), Afansyeva (VT, BB, FX) and Spiridonova (UB). Afansyeva no longer trains bars, while Spiridonova vaults an FTY and is a major risk on beam and floor. Frankly, should anyone be injured, it would be a major setback for the team in finals. The injury risk is just too high.
Also I agree. The FIG dropped the ball. They voted on an idea of a plan – not a concrete plan. In theory, their idea could promote diversity at the games and competitive event final fields, but I think both goals are unrealizable until the FIG pulls up their pants and starts lobbying for more spots for its athletes at the games.