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NO MORE TOKYO 2020

Via the IOC’s longest-serving member, Dick Pound, we learned that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed. It’s been a long year this month, so Jessica has a list of Dick Pound jokes to get us through. It’s most of the episode. After that, we discuss

• Why it was important to postpone
• Gymnastics implications
  • Should the new 2021 seniors now become eligible for the Olympics?
  • What code of points should be used?
  • How should the unfinished qualification process be resolved?
  • What of the 2021 world championships in Copenhagen?
• Which athletes are most affected by this, negatively and positively?
• Plus, McKayla Maroney opens up about the circumstances of her father’s death and releases her debut single, a rundown of the dumpster fire news, Bart has an adult gymnastics challenge for you, and Full Out 2 has been released

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RELATED EPISODES

• 416: Everything Is Canceled
• Breaking news mini-sode: COVID-19 Championships Update
• Behind the Scenes: March 12 COVID-19 Championships Update
• 415: American Cup of Coronavirus
• 414: American Cup Preview
• Behind The Scenes: Morgan Hurd Interview & The Missing Episode
• 413: Is Jade Carey an Olympian Yet
• Behind The Scenes: Jade Carey, Grace McCallum, Kayla DiCello and Lilly Lippeatt Interviews

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GYMTERNET NEWS

• Everything has been canceled. We run through the events that have been canceled thus far (spoiler: it’s all of them), and theorize what it might mean for Olympic qualification—if the Olympics actually happen. Note to FIG: We already figured out what you need to do, so just do what we say and you might survive.
• USAG has canceled events through May 10, but how much oversight does USAG have to tell clubs to stop training and classes? We discuss.
• Jessica uses the Olympic Spirit as a vehicle to tell people to stop being the absolute worst
• Spencer’s favorite piece of news from the week, a (now-revised and no longer fun) real estate article that assumed Valeri Liukin and Yevgeny Marchenko were a couple.
• Plus, Shannon Miller knows about being Shannon F🤸cking Miller, Nia Dennis was on Ellen, and Jessica is really into all the gymnastics relationship goss while Spencer pretends to be above it.
• What’s this? A federal investigation into Steve Penny potentially acting as an illegal agent for athletes? Oh tell us more.

NCAA

• The NCAA season has come to a premature conclusion, likely spelling the end of gymnastics careers for this epic class of 2020 seniors. So, this week we have a fitting mini-commission about whether this is the greatest NCAA class of all time, and Jessica makes you have all the feelings about how the significance of this group of athletes goes well beyond gymnastics.
• We wrap up the season and call on you to help us with an end-of-season awards list.

AND FINALLY

• Simone is the queen of Twitter. The end.

BECOME A CLUB GYM NERD MEMBER

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RELATED EPISODES

• • March 12: COVID-19 Championships Update
  • Behind The Scenes: March 12 COVID-19 Championships Update
  • 415: American Cup of Coronavirus
  • 414: American Cup Preview
  • Behind The Scenes: Morgan Hurd Interview & The Missing Episode
  • 413: Is Jade Carey an Olympian Yet?
  • Behind The Scenes: Jade Carey, Grace McCallum, Kayla DiCello and Lilly Lippeatt Interviews

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COVID-19 NEWS

Jesolo is officially canceled, Qatar has instituted a quarantine period, Vanessa Ferrari JUST got out of Italy in time, Colin Van Wicklen has withdrawn, and the FIG told USAG to wash its hands. We’re diving right into the disease news and how this affects Olympic qualification.

AMERICAN CUP

• We discuss Morgan Hurd’s glorious return to her rightful place atop the podium, the DAMN BARS breaking, Jennifer Gadirova emerging as the future of all that is right and good, Ellie Black being the most delightful person, and…sigh…Giorgia Villa.
• Jessica delivers our annual Rage-o-Meter response to the NBC commentary
• Sam Mikulak hit 6-for-6 and won, plus the best opportunities for comedy in the men’s field

INTERVIEW

Jennifer Iacopelli author of Break The Fall 

This young adult (Ages 12–up.) novel is the going to be a favorite or gym nerds young and old. From Publishers Weekly: 17-year-old Korean-American gymnast Audrey Lee, working to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in spite of recent back surgery, finds her lifetime dream on the line for complex reasons. One day after qualifying to represent the U.S., the US coach is arrested for sexually abuse. Tension builds as the athletes’ training team is fired and the young women begin working under a new coach with unorthodox methods. Plagued by back pain and constantly worrying that every routine might be her last, Audrey’s emotional roller coaster grows more turbulent when she’s forced to put her budding romance with her new coach’s son on hold.

This book is safe read for young adults. There are no descriptions of abuse.

MEET NEWS

• The US women swept Gymnix, and MyKayla Skinner won gold on bars (BARS)…though maybe with the wrong D score…oopsies
• Emily Lee tore her fingernail off and needed stitched but still gymnastics-ed all over the place
• Jessica really enjoys MyKayla Skinner’s YouTube channel
• Long Island University is adding a women’s gymnastics team for the 2021 season
• Trinity got her 10.000 on floor
• And we choose our way-too-soon Olympic teams following American Cup

LIVE SHOW FROM NCAAS

Friday, April 17th – after the competition – Fort Worth Botanic Garden Auditorium
Buy tickets now

BECOME A CLUB GYM NERD MEMBER

• Get access to Behind the Scenes episodes by joining Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 414: American Cup Preview
• Behind The Scenes: Morgan Hurd Interview & The Missing Episode
• 413: Is Jade Carey an Olympian Yet
• Behind The Scenes: Jade Carey, Grace McCallum, Kayla DiCello and Lilly Lippeatt Interviews
• 412: The Fall That Wasn’t
• 411: Take Off on Gay, Split on Rights
• 410: Simone’s Vault to the Rescue

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AMERICAN CUP

It’s happening! This Saturday!

• Russia has withdrawn from the competition for…murky reasons that may or may not be related to viruses. Do we have multiple conspiracy theories about it? YOU BETCHA.
• What we’re looking forward to seeing from Morgan Hurd and Kayla DiCello—and who’s more likely to win
• Other people who could legitimately win, like Ellie Black and Giorgia Villa
• Our Must-Watch Athlete of the meet: Jennifer Gadirova
• What Nikita Nagornyy’s absence means for Sam Mikulak and the US men’s hopes of an extra Olympic spot
• What are we going to see from Oleg Verniaiev? Only his glass shoulder and legs made of hope can tell.
• Gymnix and Jesolo team updates. Watch Gymnix here

GYMTERNET NEWS

• Laurie Hernandez is not attending US women’s camp but still plans to compete later in the year
• Simone had some THOUGHTS about USAG and USOPC’s latest stonewalling
• John Orozco officially changed his FIG license from the US to Puerto Rico!
• Former CMU coach Jerry Reighard is suing ESPN, which seems productive
• Simone threw an axe for a bullseye, because of course she did
• Cassie Rice and Tasha Schwikert gave HARROWING accounts of their time in the elite world, including how Bela ripped Tasha’s hamstring off the bone during the 2000 Olympics after by pushing her down in a split. A must-watch.
• NCAA news: the latest rankings, Nia Dennis’s viral routine, Maggie Nichols being fine now (?), and the broken bars at Alabama

BECOME A CLUB GYM NERD MEMBER

• Join Club Gym Nerd here for access to our Behind the Scenes episodes!
  
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 413: Is Jade Carey an Olympian Yet
• Behind The Scenes: Jade Carey, Grace McCallum, Kayla DiCello and Lilly Lippeatt Interviews
• 412: The Fall That Wasn’t
• 411: Take Off on Gay, Split on Rights
• 410: Simone’s Vault to the Rescue

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IMPORTANT BUSINESS

We’re doing another LIVE SHOW FROM NCAAs with special guest Jamie Dantztcher this year in Fort Worth!

When: Friday, April 17, 2020 after prelims

Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden Auditorium (1.1 mi from Dickies Arena)

Time: Doors open 7:30, Live Show 8-930

Tickets: Club GymNerd pre-sale Feb 26-March 4. On sale to public starting March 5.  Join Club Gym Nerd here.

• Contest! We’re giving away five copies of Break the Fall, Jennifer Iacopelli’s YA novel from a true gym nerd who loves the sport. Find out how you can win one.

GYMTERNET NEWS

• Riley McCusker announced she is now training at Arizona Sunrays (Jade Carey’s gym). We discuss.
  
• There…might be…a…KERRI STRUG MOVIE. We already have 455 thoughts about what we need from this movie and how it could go very wrong.
  
• Kathie Klages was found guilty of lying to police. Hm. Look how that happened.
  
• Brooklyn Moors has signed with UCLA
  
• Chinese gymnasts are officially out of Melbourne
  
• Plus, Raj Bhavsar’s new job, Jessica’s Tokyo feelings, Arkansas’s women’s empowerment, Nile Wilson’s gym switch, Shannon’s scrunchie immortalized, and why college gymnasts love their teams
  

MEET NEWS

• A preview of Winter Cup, starting Thursday
  
• Maggie 40 Watch and records being set all over the place by Oklahoma and Denver
  
• Spencer’s Crack Den takes on that time Kennedi Edney fell on floor and got 9.600
  
• A cornucopia of gymnastic excellence in all its forms from Cristal Isa, Gracie Kramer, Gracie Day, and Evanni Roberson
  
• We need justice for Khazia Hislop
• Melbourne is coming up this weekend—what will it mean for Jade Carey’s Olympic spot journey?
• And finally—WE HAVE A CLIMATE CHANGE FLOOR ROUTINE

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• Join Club Gym Nerd here for access to our Behind the Scenes episodes AND live show presale tickets!
  
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FURTHER READING

• Qualifying Score Outlook February 17, 2020
• Things Are Happening – February 14, 2020 February 14, 2020
• Keeping Up With the Cool GIFs – Week 6 February 11, 2020
• The 10s of Week 6 February 11, 2020

RELATED EPISODES

• 411: Take Off on Gay, Split on Rights
• 410: Simone’s Vault to the Rescue
• 409: Falling with Style
• 408: Jessica Goes to Camp
• 407: Crown Watch 2020
• 406: BRENNNNAAAAAAA!!!!

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN

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This week, we open with rage (TV network-type), then switch to rage (dumpster fire-type), and go on to rage (Achilles injury-type), but then comes the fun part—Ellie Black’s return and a brand new sass-filled Olympic year segment.

• UCLA’s amazing Pride meet was the gayest thing ever to happen in gymnastics, and the Pac-12 Network pretended it didn’t exist
  
• An SEC Network basketball commentator did a very very (very) bad one
  
• Following up on the Maggie Haney suspension and the Denis Abliazin racism
  
• A doctor is suing the USOPC for whistleblower retaliation
  
• Asuka Teramoto is out with a torn Achilles and nothing matters anymore
  
• Four-Year Headlines: Where we issue yellow cards to drive-by gymnastics coverage
  
• Olympic qualifier roster updates
  
• Sorting through what happened with rhythmic star Aleksandra Soldatova
• Elite Canada – Ellie Black is back, Shallon Olsen is a superhero, and we fangirl over Brooklyn Moors and Ana Padurariu exactly as much as usual
• NCAA News – Trinity Thomas and Maddie Karr got 10s, Hailey Poland wore blue lipstick, and we got some feedback about cat leaps

FURTHER READING

• Week 6 Rankings February 10, 2020
• Things Are Happening – February 7, 2020 February 7, 2020
• Keeping Up With the Cool Gifs – Week 5 February 4, 2020
• The 10s of Week 5 February 4, 2020

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• Join Club Gym Nerd here for access to special Behind the Scenes episodes!
  
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 410: Simone’s Vault to the Rescue
• 409: Falling with Style
• 408: Jessica Goes to Camp
• Behind The Scenes: Laurie Hernandez Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Simone Biles Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Day One of the 2020 National Team Training Camp
• 407: Crown Watch 2020
• 406: BRENNNNAAAAAAA!!!!

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Today, a sort-of-depressing episode about suspensions and bankruptcy and the crimes of the criminal ex-doctor is saved by the beacon that is Simone posting a Yurchenko double pike video…

• Breaking: Maggie Haney has been suspended from contact with minors pending the results of the hearing and investigation – and what this means for Riley McCusker. She cannot coach at USAG events, including camp.
• Today’s Interview: We’re joined by John Barr and Dan Murphy, authors of Start By Believing: Larry Nassar’s Crimes, the Institutions That Enabled Him, and the Brave Women Who Stopped a Monster to discuss their book, that time they tracked down Kathie Klages, and what to make of USAG’s latest settlement offer in bankruptcy court.
  

GYMTERNET NEWS

• Simone posted a video of herself doing a Yurchenko Double Pike…into a pit. We get way too unrealistically excited and start talking about potential D-values and how many men’s vault titles Simone is going to win.
  
• Will the coronavirus prevent Chinese gymnasts from going to essential Olympic qualifiers? And what can be done about it?
  
• Is Australia denying visas to Iranian gymnasts for the Melbourne World Cup? And what can be done about it?
  
• Dominique Dawes is opening a gym and is REALLY PISSED about how she was treated in gymnastics
  
• The Stuttgart World Cup roster is out, and we analyze the field
• Denis Abliazin is…um...super racist
  

MEET NEWS

• Kensley went to the WOGA Classic and has information on the Blakely sisters, Sophia Butler, a new Russian junior who is going to be everything, and Karis German’s Stalder Nabieva
  
• The latest NCAA news on LSU and UCLA getting upset at home, Minnesota coming for you, and the growing trend of two-pass routines
  
• Jessica pops off and goes all Ken Jennings on Kensley’s men’s NCAA quiz
  
• Kensley explains all of the men’s college gymnastics rules to avoid favoritism and encourage transparency, exactly the opposite of women’s college gymnastics. 

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• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
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FURTHER READING

RELATED EPISODES

• 409: Falling with Style
• 408: Jessica Goes to Camp
• Behind The Scenes: Laurie Hernandez Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Simone Biles Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Day One of the 2020 National Team Training Camp
• 407: Crown Watch 2020
• 406: BRENNNNAAAAAAA!!!!

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OLYMPIC QUALIFIER NEWS

• The American Cup rosters are out. We delve into the crazy-deep men’s field, some of the surprises of the women’s field, and what this means for Olympic qualification.
  
• Jade Carey is going to Melbourne. How does this affect the race for the apparatus spots?

COLLEGE MEET NEWS

• Kensley went to Metroplex. She shares how loud it was (very) and observations from a civilian gym viewer.
  
• LSU/Florida was INTENSE: We break down the 10s, amazing meets from Trinity Thomas and Ruby Harrold, and the injury to Sarah Edwards
  
• Plus, Lexy Ramler got a 10 again, what not to do when someone is trying to vault, and Derrian Gobourne showed everyone how to fall
  
• Crack or Correct takes on the phenomenon that is Michigan home scoring

CLUB GYM NERD MINI-COMMISSION

• It’s Jessica’s dream come true: a commission about Cuba!
• We cover the highs (Artistic integrity! Originality! Annia! The Tamayo!) and the lows (federation mismanagement and funding issues) that characterize the history and legacy of Cuban gymnastics

THERE’S MORE

• Gymternet News: The latest in Russia’s Olympic ban saga, Kristina Baskett, the NCAA doing something good (???), and various dumpster fire developments
• Feedback: We weigh in on whether the price is worth it for the experience of going to Olympic Trials
• We’re Still Doing This?: The argument is back on about the 10.0 in men’s college gymnastics

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• Join Club Gym Nerd here for access to Behind the Scenes episodes from national camp.
  
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

FURTHER READING

• Week 4 Rankings January 27, 2020
• Things Are Happening – January 24, 2020 January 24, 2020
• The 10s of Week 3 January 21, 2020

RELATED EPISODES

• 408: Jessica Goes to Camp
• Behind The Scenes: Laurie Hernandez Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Simone Biles Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Day One of the 2020 National Team Training Camp
• 407: Crown Watch 2020
• 406: BRENNNNAAAAAAA!!!!

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NATIONAL TEAM CAMP

Jessica attended the first national team camp of the year in Indianapolis. We discuss:

• Simone’s injury status, mental blocks, new book, and what grade she’d give USAG
  
• The most important upgrades…that we’re allowed to talk about
• Olympic team predictions 6 months early and based on exactly two practices
• The best floor routine in the history of all the evers
  
• Laurie Hernandez Watch
  
• Atmosphere changes compared to the past
  
• Kitty litter boxes for some reason
  
• REMEMBER: Join Club Gym Nerd for three full Behind The Scenes episodes just from camp with interviews from Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Riley McCusker and Jordan Chiles. And more to come. 

NCAA NEWS

• We break down the furor over Oklahoma’s scoring this weekend
• Crack or Correct? (And a little Crack or Crack?)
• Spencer’s Crack Den on “You need to have a name to get a big score.”
• Plus, justice for Lexy Ramler (FINALLY), a Shchennikova update, the Stevens, and records for Minnesota, Cal, Rutgers, and Alaska

GYMTERNET NEWS

• The Michigan AG and police raided Geddert’s house and Twistars. Would you look at that.
• The sexual assault charge against Debbie Van Horn was dropped for insufficient evidence
• Maggie Haney’s hearing was postponed again
• Plus, Sunisa’s upgrade and Isabela Onyshko is going to Stanford!

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

FURTHER READING

• The 10s of Week 3 January 21, 2020
• Keeping Up With the Cool GIFs – Week 3 January 20, 2020
• Week 3 Rankings January 20, 2020

RELATED EPISODES

• Behind The Scenes: Laurie Hernandez Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Simone Biles Interview
• Behind The Scenes: Day One of the 2020 National Team Training Camp
• 407: Crown Watch 2020
• 406: BRENNNNAAAAAAA!!!!
• 293: EXCLUSIVE Inside Elite Verification

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NCAA MEET NEWS

• LSU defeats Georgia – we break down the Alyona Shchennikova 0.000 and whether you should be worried about Georgia and LSU
  
• Even Spencer has no complaints about Denver/Minnesota
  
• Auburn defeats Alabama, Derrian Gobourne has a crown now, Luisa Blanco is a college beamer, and Jessica has a controversial prediction
• Anyone who’s anyone is finishing high school early to join college teams. How do we feel about this?
  
• Jordyn Wieber made her head coaching debut at Arkansas, coupled with a mini-commission from Jennifer about what certain college programs are getting right
  
• Two (count ’em two) rage-o-meters from Club Gym Nerd members
  

CRACK OR CORRECT SPECIAL EDITION

• Taylor Houchin’s stuck Y1.5
  
• Mia Takekawa’s 10 on beam
• Final rotation insanity from LSU/Georgia that was so bad it broke Kathy and Bart
• UCLA’s bananas floor rotation
• Spencer’s Crack Den answers the question: Why did Norah Flatley get 9.350 for a beautiful routine?
• Watch: All the routines that got a 10 from at least one judge this weekend

GYMTERNET NEWS

• It’s Agnes Keleti’s birthday!
  
• Aurora Fyre Festival Games developments
  
• …Terin Humphrey did a book
  
• Cardboard beds at the Olympics

JESSICA GOES TO CAMP

• Jessica is going to the January national team camp! We’ll have special Behind the Scenes episodes from camp just for Club Gym Nerd members where we whisper about what happened. You can join Club Gym Nerd here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 406: BRENNNNAAAAAAA!!!!
• 405: The Best of 2019
• 404: 2008 Men’s Team Final (Commissioned)
• 403: “Did Everyone Know But Me?”
• 402: 1984 NCAA Championships (Commissioned)

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN