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Archives for June 2016

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DFG: World Selection Camp

douglas family gold reality show podcast recap

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IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

This week on Douglas Family Gold (S1 E5), Jessica, Spencer and Stefane recap the episode and discuss:

  • The family listened to the podcast! (3:00)
  • Gabby’s bar upgrades revealed! (5:00)
    • Coach Christian’s voice made the show, but not with his face at the same time.
  • What Gabby’s Family has to do to overtake the Kar*$&#*ians as the top reality family in the world. (15:29)
  • Natalie’s on-screen script boo boo. (28:42)
  • There was no cause for excitement about the Ranch footage because it was all recycled USAG footage. (35:50)
  • Jene Park, AKA Edna from The Incredibles is back: (30:55)
    • champagne and coffee for everyone
    • Gabby says,  “what more chocolate do I need” and non-stop BBC jokes ensue.
  • Natalie has a boob tattoo and we can’t stop analyzing it. (43:37)
  • Jessica’s story about Natalie being a badass in Tokyo. (60:00)
  • Feedback (53:25)
    • Some feedback about Gabby’s alleged single status from the African-American community.
    • Gabby wearing her hair natural this weekend for nationals in St. Louis.

RELATED LINKS

  • Watch episodes of Douglas Family Gold here.
  • Watch Gabby compete in St. Louis at the national championships here

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  • Join Club Gym Nerd here.
  • Buy one of our awesome gymnastics goodies here.

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Name the Gabby Drag Queen below! Tweet @GymCastic #GabbyFamilyDrag with your name for our fabulous listener and legit adult gymnast in her Gabby drag. 

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Getting to the Games: A Checklist

Article written by GymCastic Crew Member Stefane Victor.

2015 Worlds Gymnastics Team
Could this be the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team?
Secret Classics gave us a great indication of absolutely nothing. Aly’s weakest event is still bars, Ashton Locklear is still one of the best bar workers in the world and Gabby Douglas is still #blessed.

As we approach P&G Championships, it holds true that the Olympic Team is a puzzle. Here, GymCastic has broken down a checklist of what each contender needs to do between now and the end of Olympic Trials to make the Team, and what or who stands in her way.

Top Dogs

Simone Biles v. Simone Biles’ Body

The term “lock” was invented for a gymnast like Simone, because at this point, medals have likely already been engraved with her name. Her checklist is simple:

  1. Stay healthy

Gabby Douglas v. Gabby Douglas v. Everyone else

Gabby’s main focus is to be as much of a challenge to Simone as possible in case Simone has an off day in the AA final. Gabby is pretty much a lock for the Team with others clicking at her heels.

  1. UB: Connect a Stalder out of her Pak to increase her D-score to 6.6, right up there with the specialists.
  2. VT: Upgrade to an Amanar. With this vault, Gabby would definitely get the second spot for the AA and would really start chipping away at Simone’s massive lead.
  3. FX: Upgrade. Gabby needs a back 3/2, either into a double Arabian or a 3/1. Tumbling upgrades and dance improvements would help Gabby score in the 15.0-15.2 range.

Maggie Nichols v. Aly Raisman v. Laurie Hernandez

This is the most exciting matchup. All three off these gymnasts can make the Team. If they don’t, look for a UB specialist to take one of these spots.

Maggie:

  1. VT: Add her her Amanar. Without it, Maggie has a much weaker case for making the Team.
  2. FX: Regularly score in the low–mid 15.0s on FX using all her tumbling from 2016 SCAM.
  3. Score higher than everyone other than Gabby and Simone, at least, in every meet she enters. Because she is solid and not exceptional on each event, she is a strong AAer you can put anywhere. If Aly or Laurie outscores her, Maggie’s case becomes weak.

Aly:

  1. FX: Aly’s golden ticket. She needs to continue to focus on cleaning up leaps and landings and she will have a spot on the Team and potentially a FX silver medal.
  2. VT: Replicate what she did at Classics.
  3. Consistency: She has fallen on every apparatus at least once and needs to stop that immediately if Martha can count on her during TF.

Laurie:

  1. BB: Be on par with Simone throughout the selection process.
  2. UB: Replicate her routine from Classics where she put up a huge(ly overscored) 15.4. That’s 0.4 better than Simone. Any gymnast who can make a strong case for two events during TF gets Martha’s attention.
  3. Get help from Gabby and Maggie. If neither can produce an Amanar, Laurie is much more in the picture. If either can, it may make more mathematical sense to take a bar specialist along with Simone, Gabby, Aly and Maggie.

Madison Kocian v. Ashton Locklear

Ashton:

  1. Prove that she’s the best best bar worker in the U.S. If she and Madison are flip-flopping throughout the summer, there won’t be a reason to take someone who can’t do AA (Madison). If she can beat Madison by at least 0.2 every time, she will make a case that, mathematically, she should be on the Team.
  2. Prove she is usable on beam, a key event for Martha. She did that at Classics. A few more times, and she might be on her way to Rio (probably over Maggie or Laurie).

Madison:

  1. Tie Ashton on UB. If Madison can at least tie Ashton, Madison’s ability to do AA will take her to Rio.
  2. Clean up her UB form. Yes, she’s the World champion, but she looks like the city champion when you compare her form to Ashton’s. She specifically needs to work on keeping her feet pointed and together on her pirouettes/Stalders/releases/entire routine to achieve the international style (if there is one).
  3. Show she can put up at least a 14.0 on the other events—nothing more.

On the Bubble

Along with the top contenders, a few gymnasts have presented a strong case for themselves throughout the quad and are likely alternates. These girls are also favorites for a Team spot if one of the major players are injured.

Ragan Smith:

  1. BB: Hit her strongest event. Her upgraded dismount—two back handsprings to a Patterson—is one of the most difficult in the world. The conversation around Ragan will end abruptly if she becomes unreliable or shows nerves on her key event.
  2. UB: Hit her weakest event. Though she doesn’t excel, she has the biggest advantage over Aly here. Ragan scored almost two full points higher than Aly at Classics, and this event could prove to the Committee that Ragan is a better rounded AAer.

Brenna Dowell:

  1. VT: Despite what others may think, this is her most crucial event. She needs an Amanar (and a very good one) to be in contention for more than an alternate spot.
  2. FX: Her second most important event. Adding one or two upgrades (tumbling and leaps) could have her score in the low 15.0s. She has videos up of an Arabian double layout and a double front 1/1. Upgrades could help her snag a spot from Maggie or Laurie.
  3. UB: Hit this event. Nothing more.

Alyssa Baumann

  1. VT: Not her most crucial event, but it’d serve her super well to have a DTY the level of Gabby 2015/Kyla 2013. Those were consistent, TF-worthy vaults.
  2. BB: She needs to be scoring higher than she is. The high-15.0 range would put her in the Olympic conversation as an asset—not just a replacement. Her routine is great/beautiful/all of the things, but she needs to move quicker through the exercise and land her dismount better.
  3. UB/FX: Score well on these events to boost her AA standing.

Mykayla Skinner

  1. VT: Her Amanar at Classics looked great. Add a bit more height for a better score, but she still has the second best vault in the U.S. right now.
  2. FX: Whip out all those upgrades. But exceed execution expectations on said upgrades.
  3. Get off social media until Rio to give gymnastics fans and the media—hungry for scandals surrounding Olympians—a chance to forget her unfortunate posts that left a bad impression.

Rachel Gowey

  1. Don’t break. This seems to be the hardest thing for Chow’s best hope at putting someone on the Team.
  2. Bring on the upgrades. Although she’s good on every event, she’s great when you factor in her “potential” D-scores. She’ll need every upgrade she has on all events, and then she could be a better choice than the current favorites.
  3. UB/FX: These are the events the U.S. has the most room on the roster for, so Rachel needs to hit her strongest events.

Take our checklist into account, and tell us who’s on your Team!

See related: Getting to the Games: A Test Event Guide

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201: Men’s Olympic Trials and P&G Champs Preview

morgan hurd podcast
One of our favorites to watch this weekend. Click the image to link to her awesome website.

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NEWS

In the news, Uncle Tim, Spencer, and Jessica chat about:

  • Our favorite moments from last week’s interview with Alicia Sacramone 
  • Controversy (of course) at Australian Olympic Trials (4:01)
  •  Rhythmic and Trampoline Olympic Trials (11:09)
    • Rhythmic roup qualifies for first time, ever.
    • Sadness, injuries, elation and awesome adult gymnastics from tramp (14:04)
    • “The legs that I had, the butt that I had were why I jumped so high” – Olympic Champion Rosie MacLennan (CAN) video
  • P&G Championships Preview (1:03:30)
    • How to watch live, online and on tv here. Sam Peszek and Evan Heiter are doing juniors analysis!
    • Karolyi Ranch film to premiere on Friday at 8pm ET on NBC, watch trailer here.
    • Who we are looking forward to watching who won’t go to Rio (Morgan Hurd, Emily Gaskins)
    • Who is in a do or die situation to qualify to Rio or even Trials
    • Recap of Beyond the Routine with Bailie Key who has scratched from P&Gs
  • Men’s Olympic Trials Preview (1:24:36)
    • W.D.M. How the men qualify to the team.
    • When will the team actually be named?
    • Top 4 storylines to watch?
    • Mr. Hollie Vise, Alex Naddour says baby and wife help his gymnastics.

GYMTERNET NEWS

Our weekly roundup of the latest news stories from around the gymternet include:

  • Rhythmic gymnastics attempted suicide
  • The many retirements and injuries including Komova. 
  • Why USA Gymnastics need to change their rules. None of these coaches have been banned or publicly suspended yet! (26:47)
  • Louis Smith accused of objectifying Carly Patterson with close-up bottom shot (49:31)
  • Bias in judging: Should judges be allowed to judge their relatives or gymnasts?
    • Tatiana Nabiyeva’s coach-judge was cleared by the FIG
  • Awesome skills alert:
  • NCAA News:
    • Penn State abuse news: People magazine and the Washington Post have covered this and yet, the head coach still remains there.
    • LSU gymnastic coach D-D Breaux gets boost in pay, now makes $240,000.
    • Miss Val launched a website and announced that she is writing a book.
  • Book Mania – check them all out in our store here.
  • Two adult gymnastics camps! Shields in NJ and Atlantic in NH.

RELATED LINKS

RELATED EPISODES

RELATED PHOTOS

How do the women qualify from P&G Championships to Olympic Trials in 2016?olympic qualifier rules wag gymnastics usage

How the men are chosen for the US Olympic Team

VIDEOS FROM AUS NATIONALS

Emma Nedov Floor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GcK8fUuyCQ

Olivia Vivian Bars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAmKTzU3GEc

Olivia Vivian Floor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2WQwVf7Pi8

Alex Eade Beam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPARbx6RO0

Georgia-Rose Brown Floor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHpSpJuvEXw

Kiara Munteanu Floor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkwOj5Za7WY

Alex Eade Floor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VQl_qlQ8Bw

Larrissa Miller Floor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=702PWpa7YVo

Emma Nedov Beam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMKL6rSg6kQ

SUPPORT THE SHOW: 

Join the Gym Nerd Club for only $2/mo. or $20/yr.

When you join the GymCastic club, you’ll get all of the following perks:

  • One of a kind GymCastic Ringtone (actually you get three! One of them is naughty.)
  • Automatically entered for 6 awesome giveaways per year (super gymnerdy goodies like tickets and swag.)
    • The June  giveaway is a genuine, autographed Aly Raisman baseball card, still safely encased in nerdalicious plastic. 

Aly Raisman bballcard

 

    • You will be notified first when new merchandise comes out (early birds get shirts for 30% off!)
    • Our undying gratitude and the good feeling that you are making this podcast possible.

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Gymbuster: Domestic vs. International Scoring

The idea that judges at international competitions prefer—and reward—a certain style of gymnastics is a well-known myth commentators like to repeat. Though it may seem like an intentional effort to induce a collective eye roll among gymnastics fans, is this myth valid? Do certain gymnasts receive higher scores abroad because judges prefer their style?

Princess of Sexy Data Taylor Anderson compiled the scores, and here’s what we found:

  • The quintessential example, Nastia (“international” style) vs. Shawn (not “international” style), works in favor of proving this myth. From Olympic Trials to Olympics, Nastia’s AA score increased .025 with a fall on UB, Shawn’s decreased 1.025 with no falls.
  • Courtney McCool, another well-known “international” style gymnast, saw her UB score increase .175 from Trials to Olympics, both hit routines.
  • Aly Raisman, not known for her “international” style, saw her FX score decrease .2 from Trials to Olympics, both hit routines.

It may seem like this myth can’t be busted. However, there are so many variables in each situation, including health and mindset of the athlete, experience of the judging panel, etc., that no definitive conclusion can be reached. For example, “international” style gymnast Madison Kocian’s UB score decreased nearly .4 from Nationals to Worlds last year.

Take a look at the data below. Do you think the domestic vs. international scoring myth holds true?

2004:

2008:

2012:

2015:

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10 Most Popular GymCastic Episodes

No one will blame you if you’ve already listened to every episode of GymCastic. And no one will blame you if you listen to some again. In fact, here’s some inspiration. These are the 10 most popular GymCastic epsiodes.

1. 61: Katelyn Ohashi Clears The Air

Ohashi-from-Crazy-World-of-Graphics
One little gymnast. Lots of Gymternet rumors.

2. 63: Doctor Larry Nassar

Screen-Shot-2013-12-06-at-12.49.30-AM
The doctor who sees it all and heals it all.

3. 89: Everybody Loves Raymond!

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His floor should’ve won a Tony.

4. 113: Junior & Senior Women’s Finals from the 2014 US Championships in Pittsburgh

GymCastic-Simone-Jazzy-1
When Simone had just a measly set of two national titles.

5. 114: Fallout From Gymnastike’s Handling of Maroney Hack, plus a Tumble Recap

hands
Gymnastike makes an oopsie.

6. 80: Marta did commentary for Nastia!

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Her short-lived attempt to dethrone Trautwig.

7. 77: Aly Raisman

SwarovskiLeo_Aly
She tumbles! She leads teams to gold! She sometimes cries before finishing her last pass!

8. 187: McKayla Maroney 

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Maroney spills more than a cup at a party.

9. 124: Event Finals at the 2014 World Championships

boxingposter1
When Simone had just a measly set of nine World medals.

10. 137: Lady Lisa Mason

feature_EP137
The only Royal interview GymCastic has conducted.

Let us know: Which episode is your favorite?

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200: Alicia Sacramone

alicia

THIS WEEK’S INTERVIEW

We are honored and humbled to welcome back the legend herself, Alicia Sacramone, to celebrate our 200th episode. She joined us for episode 43, the  first ever panel on LGBT Issues in Gymnastics in 2013. Since then she’s married her longtime boyfriend, started a few businesses, and began coaching and doing choreography. Alicia is expecting her first child this summer. The Olympic silver medalist, 10x World medalist and 4x World Champion discussed: 

  • The crazy vault she never got to compete
  • Her goal as a television analyst for the SEC Network
  • Competing in college at Brown and elite simultaneously
    • How Marta Karolyi reacted and why she decided to go pro with Under Armour
  •  Transitioning to the open-ended scoring system: 
    • The 2006 floor leap series incident when her routine wasn’t credited and she didn’t make finals
    • Placing behind Cheng Fei in 2008 Olympic vault final even though Fei had a fall
    • Which gymnast rocked the Code of Points best
  • Clarifying the facts from Shawn Johnson’s recent speech for the Regan Foundation. 
  • The Comeback:
    • Tokyo World Championships achilles tear, pain medication and fan reactions to her being awarded the team gold medal even though she couldn’t compete.
    • How her husband and cross training helped, and what technology she used to come back better than ever after her injury. 
    • Why Brestyan’s gymnasts don’t get injured when they land short. Here is a video sample of  “Brestyan Legs” 
  • 2012 Olympic Trials: what happened behind the scenes, did the selection committee make the right choice, and what she did to get over it
  • Almost getting into a fight with Isabella Severino (FRA) on the dance floor and the competition floor!
  • Being the Athlete Representative at USA Gymnastics
    • Combating barbaric training methods
    • How she promoted positive body image and health education
    • Why USA Gymnastics has struggled to retain dietitians and nutritionists for the national team. 
    • Her own struggles with healthy eating
  • Growing up in a leotard: 
    • A little advice about boobs, hygiene, underwear and hair that every coach, parent and gymnast can benefit from. 
  • Are cameras too close to gymnasts on the sidelines of the competition?
    • What she tells the directors on the SEC Network about appropriate and inappropriate shots.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: Join the Gym Nerd Club for only $2/mo. or $20/yr.

When you join the GymCastic club, you’ll get all of the following perks:

  • One of a kind GymCastic Ringtone (actually you get three! One of them is naughty.)
  • Automatically entered for 6 awesome giveaways per year (super gymnerdy goodies like tickets and swag.)
    • The June  giveaway is a genuine, autographed Aly Raisman baseball card, still safely encased in nerdalicious plastic. 

Aly Raisman bballcard

 

  • You will be notified first when new merchandise comes out (early birds get shirts for 30% off!)
  • Our undying gratitude and the good feeling that you are making this podcast possible.
  • Join Club Gym Nerd here.
  • Or support us by getting one of our awesome merchandise here.

art for gymnastics fans

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Douglas Family Gold: A Companion for Gabby

gabbymoji app paintings pictures olympian podcast
The new Gabbymoji app features gorgeous drawings like these.

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THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

This week’s show is dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Orlando terror attack and the LGBT community everywhere. Find out how to help here or call on legislators to make gun reform here.

On this week’s recap of Douglas Family Gold (S2E3), Jessica, Spencer and Spanny  discuss:

  • The lack of gymnastics and Coach Christian
  • Natalie is shocked that her adult children don’t want to spend every waking moment with her
  • Arie and Joy are totally starting a fashion business right now
  • Shocker, John doesn’t want to hang out with his mom during his college visit
  • The sisters think Gabby need a companion, but isn’t ready to date… sooooo escort? 
  • Jessica is outraged at the old, sexless, no-time for boyfriends, abnormal development because she’s a gymnast trope
  • Gabby gets a kitten instead of an adult cat and the gymternet lost their damn minds. 

CONTEST

Name the Gabby Drag Queen below! Tweet @GymCastic #GabbyFamilyDrag with your name for our fabulous listener and legit adult gymnast in her Gabby drag. 

RELATED LINKS

SUPPORT THE SHOW

  • Join Club Gym Nerd here.
  • Buy one of our awesome shirts here.

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RELATED EPISODES

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

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