Today we have a mini-commission on GGMB, which was basically the gymnastics Library of Alexandria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. We also have another mini-commission covering gymnastics routine construction fixes and dream Olympic teams, plus an important update: Suni’s head was found.
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HEADLINES
- Report: Russian Lobbying and Financial Flows in the (FIG) World Gymnastics
- New Cal coach says he was the victim of hacking
- After a year of searching, the stolen 50-pound bronze bust of Suni Lee was finally found in a random dude’s house
- USA Gymnastics released the World Team Camp roster
- Fundraiser for our work in Rotterdam at the 2026 World Championships – a full episode commission raffle! This is the only way to commission a full episode. We will draw the winner at Worlds in Rotterdam!
Mini-Commission From Mags: GGMB: The Good, the Bad, and the BARTA of it all
Thank you to our World Champion level Club Gym Nerd member Mags who commissioned this episode. Club Gymnerd members help us pay our bills and in return get thank you goodies from us in return. See details at gymcastic.com under the “Join Club” tab.
Before Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube, the go-to online platform for gymnastics fans was GGMB, an online discussion board that was the town square of all the latest gymnastics gossip. There was good, there was bad, and there was definitely ugly. We discuss the history of GGMB, share our experiences using it, and reflect upon its influence on GymCastic.
- For the children listening, what even was GGMB?
- What were some of the biggest scandals?
- What was the good?
- Sacramone’s designer purse
- Boginskaya seeing herself compete for the first time
- Fan Ye’s dragon leotard
- The iconic filters that changed ”Marta” to ”Barta” and ”god” to ”Latawnya”
- What was our personal experience with GGMB and the early Gymternet before the rise of social media?
- How did GGMB influence the creation of GymCastic?
- How do you view the evolution of GGMB to today’s Gymternet culture where athletes now have the ability to share their own stories through social media?
Mini-Commission From Ilse: Improve Her Routine Construction
Thank you to our World Champion level Club Gym Nerd member Ilse who commissioned this episode. Club Gymnerd members help us pay our bills and in return get thank you goodies from us in return. See details at gymcastic.com under the “Join Club” tab.
The task: ”There is always talk about routine construction and inefficient composition. Many gym fans think they can design significantly smarter routines than the ones athletes are actually competing. Please pick one or two gymnasts who are commonly mentioned as having poor routine construction and design a realistically achievable ”code-hacking” routine for them.”
Mini-Commission From Nicolette: Dream 7 Member Olympic Team
Thank you to our World Champion level Club Gym Nerd member Nicolette who commissioned this episode. Club Gymnerd members help us pay our bills and in return get thank you goodies from us in return. See details at gymcastic.com under the “Join Club” tab.
The task: ”I would like a dream team lineup. Here are the rules: you’re building your DREAM Olympic team (7 members, 1 traveling alternate, 1 non-traveling alternate) you must say what events they’re competing and explain your lineup choices.”
GYMTERNET NEWS:
- Former Rapid City gymanstics coach sentenced to federal prison
- Hayden Sengua, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography back in January. He received a 121-month prison sentence (10 years)
- Gymnastics Australia launches a blueprint to grow ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics
- The plan sets clear, measurable goals to grow gymnastics participation, extend member tenure, expand the workforce, and increase and optimize facilities with a focus on regional and high-growth communities.
- See the full plan here
CHAPTERS
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Russian Lobbying & Rich Stenger/Cal Investigation
03:45 – Suni Lee’s Stolen Head Was Found
07:30 – World Team Camp & Full Commission Raffle
12:21 – The History of GGMB
36:01 – Raffle, Live Show Replay & Roster Lab
36:48 – How We’d Fix Claire Pease’s Floor
58:21 – Our Dream 7-Member Olympic Teams
1:19:43 – Dumpster Fire News & Gymnastics Australia
RELATED EPISODES
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GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES
- GymCastic tools:
- LA 2028 Roster Lab — Now with auto-fill highest-scoring team, team comparisons and updated roster briefs.
- Elite Score Explorer — U.S. Championships scores are in, plus new charting options and the vault bonus toggle.
- International Gymnastics Calendar
- GymCastic Games
- GymCastic Newsletters
- The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer Barnes’ GIF Code of Points
- Gymnastics History: Gymnastics history and Code of Points archive from Uncle Tim
- Resistance Resources
Cover art © GymCastic / Steve Cooper. All rights reserved
