What Gymnastics Should Learn (and Not Learn) From Figure Skating

The Iowa State season cancellation mystery finally has an answer—at least from the administration. We dive into the internal conflicts, the AD’s letter to families, and why the “safety” claims don’t add up. Plus, we compare the Winter Olympics to gymnastics: what should we steal from Figure Skating’s judging and “Johnny Weir energy”?

HEADLINES

• Major Update on the Iowa State Season cancellation. What did Iowa State’s administration have to say? What questions do we still have? Read the letter here
• What is going on with Ana Barbosu’s whereabouts investigation?
• The elite season is warming up. What meets are on this weekend?

What Gymnastics Should (and should NOT) Learn From Figure Skating

• In honor of the Winter Olympics, we’ve taken some inspiration from other subjectively judged sports (ahem figure skating) to give us some food for thought on what we could see in gymnastics
• Debate club: should gymnastics follow figure skating’s lead and move to a grade of execution-style judging system?
• WE NEED LIVE SCORING NOW!
• Should gymnastics get a Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski commentator duo?

NCAA

• This week’s opportunity for comedy brought to you by Mali Morgan
• We have more 10s! Addison Fatta (VT), Avery Neff (UB), Jordan Chiles (FX)
• Kailin Chio, Jordan Chiles, and Selena Harris-Miranda and the race for who can get the gym slam first
• Theoretically, if the season ended today, which teams would go to what regional?

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro: The 2026 Elite Season Begins

1:14 The Bileses: Jonathan Owens Thwarts Thief in Milan

3:53 Iowa State Scandal: Why the Season Was Really Cancelled… According to the AD

10:43 Breaking: Ana Barbosu Under Investigation (Whereabouts Violations)

14:25 2026 Elite Kickoff: Winter Cup & Cottbus World Cup Preview

18:35 Winter Olympics: A Gymnastics Perspective

21:01 What Gymnastics Must Learn From Figure Skating

35:42 The Case for a “Grade of Execution” (GOE) Judging System

50:15 Why Gymnastics Needs Live Technical Scoring Boxes

1:05:10 Commentary & Artistry: We Need “Johnny Weir Energy”

1:14:25 Olympic Traditions: Throwing Stuffed Animals & Logistics

1:25:40 NCAA Update: The Race for Perfect 10s & Regional Rankings

1:38:15 Comedy Award of the Week: The Beam Save

1:41:34 Join Us for College & Cocktails: LSU vs. Oklahoma

UP NEXT

• Fantasy Gymnastics podcast every Wednesday
• College & Cocktails: Friday,  7:30 pm Pacific where we will watch LSU at Oklahoma on ESPN2
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