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US Championships Preview

• SENIOR WOMEN
  • Hurd, Smith, McCusker, and the quest to be the #2 all-arounder
  • Spencer has already decided the worlds team. Jessica tells him why he’s wrong
  • Explaining the Marz Frazier UCLA/Parkettes situation
  • Getting excited for Trinity Thomas and Maile O’Keefe 
  • Jessica’s very realistic predictions and anticipated miracles
• JUNIOR WOMEN (42:25)
  • The Big Four battle it out, and we pick who’s going to win among Sunisa Lee, Jordan Bowers, Leanne Wong, and Kayla DiCello
  • More discussion of Levi Jung-Ruivivar because duh. We’re 99% sure she invented the violin. Don’t worry about it. 
• SENIOR MEN (48:45)
  • Mikulak vs. Moldauer will be the best clash of nationals
  • Who’s injured, who’s coming back, and who needs a big meet
  • A period of mourning for Eddie Penev’s ACL
  • Is Yoder the new pommel prince? Will Modi keep getting Brenna’d? Who are the NCAAers to watch? Are the guys just going to phone it in because they’re too cool for school?

Men’s European Championships (1:01:30)

• That bonkers team final and the unexpected ending on high bar
• We break down the British team reaction and assign roles
• Italy’s vault disaster is all of us
• Event Finals: Rhys is King, Smart Rings is making our robot judging dreams come true, and no one even fell on high bar (?!?!) 

Gymternet News

• Paul Ruggeri is engaged. You’ve both done very well. 
• Jeff Thompson is suing Penn State (LOL)
• EVO Athletics (aka Aimee Boorman Athletics) is the new temporary home of the US women’s national team training camps
• We have more info about how the International Elite Committee changed the qualifying rules for nationals AFTER US Classic, and we rant about the IEC. 

And Remember

• Watch CBS This Morning on Thursday
• We have NEW SWAG available in the GymCastic store!
• So You Think You Can Dutch? Listen for details on our Boston meet-up and and Precision Choreography contest at The Greatest Bar from 4:30-5:30 on Sunday before women’ finals!
• Join Club Gym Nerd here.

FURTHER READING AT BBS

• Dude Week 2018: US Men’s Nationals
• Dude Week 2018: Euros Team Final
• Dude Week 2018: Euros Event Finals
• Things Are Happening – August 10, 2018

RELATED EPISODES

• 316: CATS – European Championship Edition
• 315: The Simone Is Back Classic
• 314: US Classic Preview with Mary Wise
• Spencer BlogCast: American Classic
• 313: Best Floor Routines EVAH! (Commissioned)
• 312: 4th Is the New 1st (Commissioned)
• 311.5: Tom Forster Is the New Martha
• 310: Suspension and Sabotage
• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

US CLASSIC

• Simone won, duh
  • We detail all the quad records she set. With a fall. And a shattered toe.
  • The upgrades – Moors, Fabrichnova, Van Leeuwen
  • Thoughts on the weird floor scoring and her new choreography
• Riley McCusker was FANTASTIC
• Morgan Hurd’s floor is a dream
• Why does Texas Dreams (almost) never compete AA at Classic? 
• Shilese Jones is a silent assassin that NBC didn’t show at all
• A little…social media drama…you might have heard about…
• All the times Jessica screamed internally
  • Jordan Chiles’ wonder woman Egyptian goddess leotard
  • Luisa Blanco’s side roll
  • Madelyn Willians musicality clinic
  • Deanne Soza and her Yezhova
• PAGING CAROL: We have some bonkers scores to discuss
• Tom Forster’s excellent performance
• Kerry Perry pulled a Steve Penny
• The bizarre, stupid USAG judge shortage
• The good and bad of the NBC/Olympic Channel broadcast
• THE ARTFUL JUNIORS
  • The GAGE gymnasts put on a beautiful, perfect show
  • Kayla Di Cello and Jordan Bowers are the real deal
  • Sunisa Lee casually won beam without a dismount
  • All the times Jessica screamed internally, junior edition
    • Olivia Greaves on bars
    • Skye Blakely on floor
    • Levi Jung-Ruivivar‘s PAIN OF A NATION
    • Sophia Butler‘s non-background music
    • Zoe Gravier’s floor music, a deep discussion
    • Trista Goodman‘s gold leotard and Beauty and the Frickin’ Beast routine
    • Cassie Rice’s epic bars spotting
• Plus, what’s infuriating us right now in US routines

GYMTERNET NEWS

• Kerry Perry went back to Congress and got BURNED — #ItWasThursday
• Aly tried to meet the new CEO of the USOC, and it went…not great
• John Engler continued to be an actual monster
• The presentation to the survivors at the ESPY Awards
• The Daniels Report progress page and the web of lies it reveals
• What’s going on with Ashton Locklear, her coach, and those bullying reports
• A preview of the European Injury Championships, beginning this Thursday

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Join Club Gym Nerd here.
• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.
• Buy Miss Val’s new book co-authored by Jessica’s husband here

RELATED EPISODES

• 314: US Classic Preview with Mary Wise
• Spencer BlogCast: American Classic
• 313: Best Floor Routines EVAH! (Commissioned)
• 312: 4th Is the New 1st (Commissioned)
• 311: Tom Forster Is the New Martha
• 310: Suspension and Sabotage
• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 307: SHAME – Congressional Hearings Edition

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

U.S. CLASSIC PREVIEW

This week, we are joined by Mary Wise of Iowa Gym Nest, coach of Adeline Kenlin, to give us some updates on Adeline’s progress and help us preview the U.S. Classic!

• Jessica has many thoughts on IGN’s decoration options
• How Adeline is doing in her injury recovery and preparation for Classic
• The IGN coaches asked questions of Kerry Perry at the Region 4 Congress. Were they satisfied with the answers, and what kind of information do the coaches want to be getting from USAG leadership?
• Her thoughts on Tom Forster and what we, as fans, should know about him.

A Club Gym Nerd mini-commission from Sophie asks what the fans should do about this summer’s competitions and how to reconcile fury at USAG—and unwillingness to give money to the organization— with a desire to ENJOY GYMNASTICS and support the gymnasts.

Plus, the meet.

• Simone’s Return AJLKJWS:LDKJS:LDKHJ:LSHLKSJHFLJSAHD
• Did we mention that Simone is back?
• Simone.
• The new seniors you must watch
• Jade Carey – all-around star?
• Who has the best opportunity to swoop in and win while the big girls only do bars and beam?
• Who desperately needs a score from this meet?
• Must-watch routines from Madelyn Williams, Emily Lee, Shilese Jones, and Olivia Dunne
• 50 juniors who are all definitely going to win the meet simultaneously
• Previewing the new baby juniors who are about to become your obsessions

SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

RELATED EPISODES

• 313: Best Floor Routines EVAH! (Commissioned)
• 312: 4th Is the New 1st (Commissioned)
• 311: Tom Forster Is the New Martha
• 310: Suspension and Sabotage
• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 307: SHAME – Congressional Hearings Edition

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

SaveSave

LISTEN HERE

This week, it’s a special Spencer Blogcast about the American Classic—and all associated streaming controversies. What happened? Why was it weird? And why is this nonsense entirely unsurprising coming from USAG?

Plus, some routines or whatever!

Playlist
Jade Carey – bars
Shilese Jones – vault
Kara Eaker – beam, bars, floor
Audrey Davis – bars
Isabel Mabanta – floor
Alyona Shchennikova – bars, beam
Emily Lee – bars
Deanne Soza – beam
Madelyn Williams – bars
Kayla DiCello – floor
Aleah Finnegan – beam, bars

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• • Join Club Gym Nerd here.

• Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here.

RELATED EPISODES

• 313: Best Floor Routines EVAH! (Commissioned)
• 312: 4th Is the New 1st (Commissioned)
• 311: Tom Forster Is the New Martha
• 310: Suspension and Sabotage
• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 307: SHAME – Congressional Hearings Edition

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

This week, we have a special episode commissioned by InterGalactic Champion level Club Gym Nerd member Dee, who requested an episode all about our favorite floor routines ever! We’re so, so happy to oblige.

HERE is the YouTube playlist of all the routines we will be commenting on in the episode. We’ll tell you when to press play, so you can watch along with us as we die of pretty (or hilarity).  Plus…

• The word “artistry”—how we feel about using the A word and how we personally define artistry in gymnastics floor routines 
• What qualities characterize our favorite floor routines
• Why we won’t shut up about Netherlands floor
• The importance of keeping floor exercise weird
• How subjective qualities like artistry can be evaluated numerically when determining scores
• Why aren’t choreographers the stars of gymnastics?

SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

FURTHER READING ON THE BALANCE BEAM SITUATION

European Championships Team Selections

National Team Rankings – July 2018

Quad Records

RELATED EPISODES

• 312: 4th Is the New 1st (Commissioned)
• 311: Tom Forster Is the New Martha
• 310: Suspension and Sabotage
• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code (Commissioned)
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 306: Gymnastics Fails (Commissioned)
• 304: The GymCastic Olympics (Commissioned)
• 281: Myths, Legends, and Unexpected Moments PART 2 (Commissioned)
• 279: A Diva Is Magical: The Svetlana Khorkina Episode (Commissioned)
• 278: 2000 Sydney All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 262: 1996 Olympic Event Finals (Commissioned)
• 258: The Fluff Cast (Commissioned)
• 256: 1996 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 255: 1996 Olympic Team Final (Commissioned)
• 252: Myths, Legends and Unexpected Moments in Gymnastics History (Commissioned)
• 228: Leotards (Commissioned)
• 225: 1992 Olympics Recap with Wendy Bruce (Commissioned)
• 185: 2008 Olympic All-Around Finals (Commissioned)

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

This week, we have a special episode commissioned by Club Gym Nerd member Queen Heather, who requested an episode all about memorable gymnasts and teams who finished 4th!

• Part 1: The official induction of the inaugural class of the 4th Place Hall of Fame, recognizing their lifetime achievement in the 4th place arts.
  • Aly Raisman and the London tiebreak
  • Yelena Produnova and the travesty of the 1999 vault final, where Prod finished behind Olaru and Amanar.
  • Shang Chunsong, Anna Pavlova, Vanessa Ferrari, Beth Tweddle, and Eva Bosakova

• Part 2: 4th place heartbreaks
  • Dominique Dawes and her 1993 vault (and 1994)
  • Jordyn Wieber
  • Jade Barbosa’s 2011 vault final ankle-tastrophe

• Part 3: When 4th place is awesome
  • The Japanese women’s team in 2016
  • That time Sacramone got 4th. In the ALL-AROUND.

• Part 4: 4th place debates
  • The 2008 Olympic vault final–Sacramone v. Cheng
  • The 2000 Olympic floor final–Justice for Moya

• Part 5: 4th place men
  • Kyle Shewfelt and the 2004 vault final debacle
  • The 2012 men’s team final and Kohei’s phantom handstand

• Part 6: A round of 4th place trivia, some fun 4th place factoids, and an important discussion about what award should be given to those who finish 4th. 

SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

RELATED EPISODES

• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code (Commissioned)
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 306: Gymnastics Fails (Commissioned)
• 304: The GymCastic Olympics (Commissioned)
• 281: Myths, Legends, and Unexpected Moments PART 2 (Commissioned)
• 279: A Diva Is Magical: The Svetlana Khorkina Episode (Commissioned)
• 278: 2000 Sydney All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 262: 1996 Olympic Event Finals (Commissioned)
• 258: The Fluff Cast (Commissioned)
• 256: 1996 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 255: 1996 Olympic Team Final (Commissioned)
• 252: Myths, Legends and Unexpected Moments in Gymnastics History (Commissioned)
• 228: Leotards (Commissioned)
• 225: 1992 Olympics Recap with Wendy Bruce (Commissioned)
• 185: 2008 Olympic All-Around Finals (Commissioned)

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

GYMTERNET NEWS

A mini bonus episode this week in which we discuss the latest urgent, somewhat crazy USAG developments that can’t wait another moment!

• Thoughts on the Kerry Perry WE HAVE GREAT INSURANCE keynote from last week’s episode (HOLLA Iowa Gym Nest!) and the part that…doesn’t really add up?
• Tom Forster is the new High-Performance Team Coordinator for the US women
  • Who is Tom Forster?
  • Initial reactions to the announcement (like “phew” and “hrmm”)
  • The positive tone he’s attempting to strike
  • What the elite coaches think about the move
  • How does someone who has been involved with USAG for decades convince the public that he can make change?
• The changes we would like to see made to the camp system (they are many and extensive)
• Why aren’t the 2008 Olympic teams getting the traditional 10-year reunion at nationals?
• The “Cowboy Hat Indictments” coming out of Texas
  • Nassar and van Horn are indicted
  • We revisit Debbie van Horn’s role
  • Martha seems totally off the hook. Why?

SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

RELATED EPISODES

• 310: Suspension and Sabotage
• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code (Commissioned)
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 307: SHAME – Congressional Hearings Edition
• 306: Gymnastics Fails (Commissioned)
• 305: Kerry Perry Lights Dumpster Fire
• 301: Peng Gets a 20, Martha Gets a Zero
• 298: Geddert and Karolyis Rage-O-Meter Special
• 296: Komova in Stuttgart, NCAA Crack, and the Ranch Incident
• 293: EXCLUSIVE Inside Elite Verification with Rhonda Faehn
• 287: Simone and Maggie Too
• 282: GymCastic Book Club – Fierce, by Aly Raisman
• 281.5: Aly Raisman Comes Forward As Nassar Victim
• 277.5: McKayla Maroney Alleges Abuse from Nassar
• 187: McKayla Maroney

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

IN THE NEWS

• To listen to Kerry Perry’s full keynote address with Q&A’s from Region 4 Congress go to timestamp (1:49:11)
• Alex Naddour has been added to the USAG list of Suspended Members (1:50)
  • Bylaws 9.3 and 10.5
  • What we know from the OC Register
  • What we make of the timing and Naddour’s response
  • Our current multitude of frustrations with USAG
• Brazilian Nationals SABOTAGE! (17:35)
  • Guys. You guys. Someone cut the power lines to the venue before the second day of Brazilian Nationals so that the rest of the competition had to be canceled. We have conspiracy theories. They’re excellent.
• National Team Coordinator (28:13)
  • Jessica has the latest on the search for a new NTC, and it’s slightly horrifying.
  • What happened when Kerry Perry gave the keynote address at Region 4 Congress (35:02)
• Gymternet Things (53:46) 
  • Larisa Iordache: 50% chance to continue with gymnastics 
  • Laurie Hernandez to Gym-Max
  • Marcia Frederick is suing USAG, USOC, Richard Carlson, and Muriel Grossfeld
  • USAG appoints new Board of Directors

MEET NEWS (1:07:38)

• Junior Pan Ams
  • Some actual gymnastics!
  • Team selection drama and temperature drama steal the show
• Guimaraes World Cup
  • Maisie and Manrique dominate
  • Jorge Vega Lopez has a new, terrible nickname
  • Yeo Seojong does a handspring front double full!
• Guess who’s back this week!
  • It’s Riley McCusker, Eythora Thorsdottir, and Sophie Scheder!
• News roundup
  • Eddie Penev and Sam Mikulak are working a 1.6 pass on floor — back 2.5 + front 2/1 + double front
  • Jessica wants Spencer to guess how much Oleg makes and Spencer is no fun at all and the worst about it
  • Khorkina is a coach for the Russian speed skating team. Because sure. Why would that be weird?
  • Rhys McClenaghan has been left with no choice but to get his Vera Caslavska on and train outside like a folk hero

Full Audio Recording of Kerry Perry’s Keynote Address/Q&A from Region 4 Congress

• Regional SafeSport directors, decentralized approach for policy interpretation (1:49:11)
• Daniels Report 80% implemented (1:56:47)
• Investigations “we need to know, what are the facts” (1:58:57)
• How will USAG pay for settlements and remain financially viable? (2:18:20)
  • Chief Legal Officer, Chris Tebo, discusses insurance coverage and filing declaratory judgment action for defense costs.

INTERNATIONAL HANDSTAND DAY CONTEST

• Congratulations to our winners!
  • Jeannie Weir – Leaning Tower of Pisa Handstand
  • Christine Traversa – Singing Handstand!
  • Emily Hewitt – Baby’s first handstand

SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

RELATED EPISODES

• 309: Perfect Form – The O’Beirne Code
• 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
• 307: SHAME – Congressional Hearings Edition
• 306: Gymnastics Fails (Commissioned)
• 305: Kerry Perry Lights Dumpster Fire
• 304: The GymCastic Olympics (Commissioned)
• 302: St. Louis live show with Kennedy Baker!
• 287: Simone and Maggie Too
• 282: GymCastic Book Club – Fierce, by Aly Raisman
• 281.5: Aly Raisman Comes Forward As Nassar Victim
• 277.5: McKayla Maroney Alleges Abuse from Nassar
• 187: McKayla Maroney

MORE WAYS TO LISTEN 

LISTEN HERE

This week’s episode is commissioned by Club Gym Nerd Member Anna, who requested an episode entitled “Perfect Form,” saying, “Please discuss all your favorite gymnasts with execution according to the O’Beirne Code.”

O’Beirne Code, you say?!?!?! Don’t mind if we do. Excuse us while we casually fix all of gymnastics in a single day. You’re welcome.

• The O’Beirne Code, defined: The intent behind the rules and integrity beyond the code
• Is execution a synonym for aesthetic beauty? Should it be?
• What is the perfect O’Beirne Code vault? 
  • Yang Yun
  • McKayla Maroney
  • Simone Biles
  • Shannon Miller 1992 Compulsory, Optional
  • DEBATE: Is it possible for an Amanar to have “perfect” form?
  • DEBATE: The difference between a deduction and a mistake.
• What is the perfect O’Beirne Code bars? 
  • Alma Kuc
  • Ma Yanhong
  • Courtney McCool
  • Brittany Rogers’ Stalders, with Vanessa Zamarripa’s handstands, and Alaina Johnson’s Ray
  • DEBATE: What is the more aesthetically pleasing technique for a double layout?
  • Dumb deductions in The Code .03 for walking under the bar after saluting.
  • What is the perfect O’Beirne Code beam?
    • Fan Ye
    • Bai Yawen
    • Sarah Finnegan
    • Kristin Furakawa
    • Yang Effing Bo
    • DEBATE: If we have deductions for leg and foot form, should we have deductions for arm and hand position?  
  • What is the perfect O’Beirne Code floor?
    • Daniela Silivas’ 1988 compulsory floor
    • Lilia Podkopayeva
    • DEBATE: Jessica says something critical about Lilia Podkopayeva and it WILL NOT STAND
    • DEBATE: Why are certain things deductions and certain things not? Do deductions need to have a good reason to exist?

  READ ON

  • 2020 Olympic Qualification Explained
  • Junior Pan Ams Day 1
  • Junior Pan Ams Day 2
  • Guimarães World Cup Day 1
  • Guimarães World Cup Day 2

  SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

  RELATED EPISODES

  • 308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
  • 306: Gymnastics Fails (Commissioned)
  • 304: The GymCastic Olympics (Commissioned)
  • 281: Myths, Legends, and Unexpected Moments PART 2 (Commissioned)
  • 279: A Diva Is Magical: The Svetlana Khorkina Episode (Commissioned)
  • 278: 2000 Sydney All-Around Final (Commissioned)
  • 262: 1996 Olympic Event Finals (Commissioned)
  • 258: The Fluff Cast (Commissioned)
  • 256: 1996 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned)
  • 255: 1996 Olympic Team Final (Commissioned)
  • 252: Myths, Legends and Unexpected Moments in Gymnastics History (Commissioned)
  • 228: Leotards (Commissioned)
  • 225: 1992 Olympics Recap with Wendy Bruce (Commissioned)
  • 185: 2008 Olympic All-Around Finals (Commissioned)

   

   

  MORE WAYS TO LISTEN