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THIS WEEK’S INTERVIEW
Kathy Johnson Clarke, American Cup champion, World medalist, 1984 Olympic team silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist on beam… and one of our favorite television commentators who practically raised with the foundational video, Gymnastics’ Greatest Stars, is here to preview Regionals with us! We discuss:
- Her love for the Soviets and kindness in commentating
- Spencer and Kathy preview every regional!
- The judging situation in NCAA gymnastics
- Kathy Johnson-ing
- Morgan Lane; Erin Macadam; Lauren Rice (beam with robot, floor performance); Diana Mejia on bars; Taylor Houchin; Haylee Young of Iowa State (floor), Maddie Karr (VT); MJ Rott; Mary Jane Horth, senior with THOSE BARS; Stacie Webb, BB; Autumn Jorgensen, BB, JO national champ; George Washington’s Drouin-Allaire and Winstanley; Kirah Koshinski, WVU – underappreciated 1.5 and DLO; Rachel Stypinski, Kent State – all the 9.9s.
- Age and training hours
- What makes for good gymnastics television
- 1978 World Championships and her famous floor routine that broke through the Soviet stronghold, and medaled in floor finals with Elena Mukhina and Nelli Kim.
- Why she has been so fearlessly outspoken on abuse and safeguarding in gymnastics and youth sports.
RELATED LINKS
Congressional hearings on Senate Bill 534 – watch it here
- Call your representative (find them here) to thank or tell them to pass this bill!
USA Gymnastics Blasted for Skipping Senate Hearing on Sex Abuse
“I’m deeply disappointed they’ve sent a statement but no witness to question,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said, “If they really cared, they would be here,” he added. “They have to answer for what happened here.”
USOC apologizes to sex abuse victims, says Olympic sports culture needs change.
Olympic Gymnasts Recount Their Experiences of Sexual Abuse at a Senate Judiciary Committee
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RELATED EPISODES
- Episode 15: Joan Ryan Author of Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
- Episode 17: Growing Up In The Soviet Gymnastics System And Training At Round Lake
- Episode 31: Elise Ray
- Episode 28: Kristen Maloney
- Episode 33: Simone Biles & Her Coaches
- 187: McKayla Maroney
- 163: ENOUGH
- Episode 56: Preventing Abuse in Gymnastics
- 63: Doctor Larry Nassar
- 245: Steve Penny is GONE
- 244: Russian Nationals & Gymnix 2017
- 243: Senate Bill 534
- 242: Standards
- 241: The Pittsburgh Incident
- 240: Chalkography
- 239: Elite Canada, Reykjavik & NCAA
- Olympic/World Championship Team Members Competing in College Gymnastics in 2017
MORE WAYS TO LISTEN
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Blows… BuhLows my mind she didnt start gymnastics until 12 years old. Amazing!
She talks about my FB group 30 minutes in – Gymnastics – A Golden Era 🙂 So sweet! Love Kathy <3
Are there any links to her 1978 floor routine? Now I want to see it.
https://youtu.be/wVMEpGADvf4
I really want to thank you, Jessica and Spencer, for this awesome podcast with KJC. It\’s definitely my favorite so far! While I\’ve always admired her gymnastics and her commentating, I did not realize the depth of her knowledge about virtually all aspects of the sport AND especially the broadcasting detail. She\’s so insightful and just plain smart, and she cares–what a combo! Clearly, she should be in charge of EVERYTHING.
I think you missed an opp, though: didn\’t you want to ask about her thoughts on the NBC broadcasts — whether she cringes or throws things like the rest of us? 🙂
Thanks again. Fantastic work.