Gymternet Weekly: Meets on the horizon, changing NCAA commitments, and a Russian star undergoes surgery (August 23 – 29, 2020)
It’s never a dull week around the gymternet! Here’s our weekly roundup of news, videos, and more from your favorite gymnasts!
Click here to read last week’s edition of Gymternet Weekly.
P.S. Have a news item or video you think should be considered for “Gymternet Weekly”? Email a link to [email protected]!
Across the pond: Amy Tinkler speaks out and independent review launched into British Gymnastics
While British Gymnastics continues to make headline news across the pond and around the gymternet, 2016 Olympic medalist Amy Tinkler called out the organization this week for abruptly closing a portion of a complaint the gymnast submitted back in December of 2019 without any explanation on the result of the investigation or how the matter had been dealt with.
Meanwhile, an independent review of the national governing body for gymnastics in Great Britain has been launched, with the terms of said review being announced earlier this week by UK Sport and Sport of England.
The review will focus on allegations of mistreatment within the sport of gymnastics in the country. More details on the review and how to submit a complaint can be found here.
#NCAAMGym: OU men back in the gym while USA Gymnastics releases statement on NCAA men’s gymnastics
The Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team is back in the gym, albeit with social distancing precautions in place.
Also this week on the men’s gymnastics front, the CGA announced it is exploring creative solutions for reducing the costs of men’s college programs, as well as helping establish a collegiate gymnastics sustainability committee alongside the USOPC, in order to try to save the remaining NCAA men’s programs.
Meanwhile, USA Gymnastics released a brief statement acknowledging the recent loss of the University of Iowa program, stating, “While we are devastated by the impact these program cuts will have on our sport and community, and particularly on men’s gymnastics, we are hopeful that these programs will see a resurgence when the COVID-19 and economic crises subside.” You can read the full statement here.
Bailey Ferrer speaks up about her recovery from an eating disorder
Retired LSU gymnast Bailey Ferrer is speaking up about her recovery in an effort to battle the stigma against eating disorders.
“Why do i speak up about my recovery??? BC YALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND IF UR STRUGGLING UR NOT ALONE!!!…..” Ferrer said in an Instagram post this week.
“I still remind myself everyday recovery is not a sprint but a marathon & I cant wait to see all the gains to come!!!”
Read Ferrer’s full post below.
Happy birthday, Yul Moldauer!
Olympic hopeful and current USA Gymnastics star Yul Moldauer recently celebrated his 24th birthday, with the gymternet joining in the celebrations to wish the star a happy birthday and good luck in the year ahead. Happy birthday, Yul!
16-year-old pommel horse star hits insane connection in training
USA Gymnastics level 10 gymnast and pommel horse specialist John Marks recently shared footage on his Instagram of him completing a Sohn-Bezugo connection–an extremely difficult connection.
The only other known gymnast to have made this connection (in practice) is current U.S. men’s national team member and Olympic hopeful Stephen Nedoroscik, who is easily one of the top pommel horse-workers in the world.
If that’s any indication, big things are to come for the young Marks. 2024? 2028? Time will tell, but for now, just enjoy this exceptional display of gymnastics!
Russian stars meet with FIG president about training and potential upcoming competitions
A gymnastics meet? Soon? Where!?
The leaders of Russia Gymnastics, along with athletes from the men’s and women’s national teams, recently met with Russia’s Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin, FSGR President and FIG Vice President Vasil Titov, and FIG President Morinari Watanabe to discuss training during the pandemic, the postponement of the Olympics, and the return of sporting events in Japan, including plans for a friendly meet between Russia and Japan that is planned for November.
Reigning World All-Around champion Nikita Nagornyy shared of the meeting, “We really hope the [meet] takes place because it’s morally hard to train without competitions.”
But if November is too long for you to wait for a live gymnastics meet, the Senior All-Japan Championships are set to take place next month! Some of Japan’s women’s national team members recently took part in a training camp in preparation for the championships. Most notably, Asuka Teramoto will be competing on uneven bars, balance beam, and, potentially, floor exercise at the championships, according to @jrpow_ on Twitter.
Jade Carey becomes an aunt
Jade Carey didn’t just become a [future] Olympian this year, she also became an aunt!
Jade’s sister, Alexsis, gave birth to Olivia Rose Lee on Friday, and Jade already has the makings of a doting and dedicated aunt to the little one. Congrats to the Carey and Lee families!
World Champions’ Leah Smith switches NCAA commitments
World Champions Centre gymnast Leah Smith has switched her NCAA commitment from Cal to Washington.
“After many long and heartfelt conversations with the people closest to me, I have made the decision to change my verbal commitment to the University of Washington on a full ride athletic scholarship!!” Smith said in an Instagram post announcing the decision.
Smith will join the Huskies in the fall of 2021.
Daria Spiridonova undergoes surgery
It was reported earlier this week by Gymnovosti’s Luba Baladzhaeva that Russia’s Daria Spiridonova would have surgery to remove a plate that was inserted in 2018 when she broke her foot.
Spiridonova underwent the surgery early Saturday in Moscow, Russia, and seems to be in good spirits post-op.
Alexis Beucler speaks out against MLT
Retired NC State gymnast Alexis Beucler released a statement on Friday, speaking out against the abuse she experienced in her career while training under Mary Lee Tracy at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy.
Training clips: Lippeatt looks strong post-op, Horton returns to the high bar, Fenton working an Amanar, and more.
This week’s training clips section includes 10 videos that feature Lilly Lippeatt (USA), Jonathan Horton (USA), Georgia-Mae Fenton (GBR), Ellie Black (CAN), Georgia Godwin (AUS), Tyson Bull (AUS), Simone Biles (USA), Konnor McClain (USA), and many more national and international athletes!
Meme of the week
If you think about it, it’s really trippy.
