Gymternet Weekly: WADA threats, more Haney drama, ANW, and more (August 30 – September 7, 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]!
Denver’s Lynnzee Brown sets sights on representing Haiti at Paris Olympics
Denver senior Lynnzee Brown isn’t okay with settling for “what ifs” in her life, and that mindset has her setting her sights on representing her father’s home country of Haiti at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Brown, who was born in Independence, Missouri, knows that Tokyo would be too quick of a turnaround, with her senior NCAA season wrapping just months prior, so she’s decided on the long haul option.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and realizing that a lot of my gymnastics has developed positively since coming to college made me realize it’s going to be sad for me if I always wonder what if,” Brown told College Gym News. “I should at least give myself a chance.”
While the representation for Haiti would be huge for the country–and Brown is excited to learn more about that side of her heritage–the 2019 NCAA floor champion plans to dedicate her Olympic journey to her mom, who passed away last year.
Read the full story here.
Memmel answers pressing comeback answers
Chellsie Memmel’s comeback is in full swing, and it’s obvious the 2005 World all-around champion is committed to being transparent throughout her journey.
While Memmel is especially active on her YouTube channel, where she posts weekly videos documenting her adult gymnastics journey, the mom of two recently took to social media to share some updates on her progress and answer pressing questions from the gymternet.
First up, the Patterson… specifically, if Memmel will be performing the tucked Arabian double front named after fellow U.S. gymnast and 2004 Olympic all-around champion Carly Patterson. While one of Memmel’s strong suits is Arabians, she isn’t pursuing that skill as a dismount at this point in time.
“The double pike is a respectable dismount with minimal deductions and a solid chance at sticking it,” Memmel said in an Instagram post last week.
Over on bars, Memmel is slowly but surely pulling together a difficult, yet clean, set. She’s “graduated to no spot on the Pak [Salto].” In addition, she’s training a Hindorff (clear-hip Tkatchev) and looks close to catching the release!
Lastly, on floor, Memmel’s dad and coach, Andy, shared a clip of the gymnast performing an Arabian double layout into the pit, and all we have to say is WOW. Look at that amplitude!
Jezebel gives the gymternet a laugh
It may be hard to believe, but Simone Biles has a life outside of the gym, including a dedicated family, friends, and a NFL football player for a boyfriend. Recently, Biles made headlines (specifically, the below headline) for something not gym-related, and gymnastics fans everywhere proceeded to LOL…
Click here to read I am Deeply Concerned About Simone Biles’s Monstrously Large New Swimming Pool.
P.S. This is the photo that sparked this “controversy.”
U.S. could be thrown out of Olympics over WADA funding threats
As if 2020 couldn’t get any worse, the U.S. government is currently at odds with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), spelling potential T-R-O-U-B-L-E for the the U.S.’s future at Olympic Games.
Click here for the details.
Canada’s Jackson Payne goes out with a bang
Canadian gymnast Jackson Payne, who was the country’s alternate for the Rio Games, recently announced his retirement from the sport.
The four-time World team member would’ve gone out with a bang in the form of an eponymous skill had coronavirus not happened, but Payne still shared what would’ve been the “Payne” with the gymternet!
The skill, which you can watch below, is a basket half to Healy and so fun to watch! Happy retirement, Jackson!
Haney still working with gymnasts despite USAG suspension
USA Gymnastics has received multiple complaints over the course of months that former U.S. Olympic and national team coach Maggie Haney has continued to work with minor-aged gymnasts despite being suspended earlier this year for repeatedly emotionally and verbally abusing young athletes.
Click here for the details.
Minami Kazuki shares multiple World firsts with the gymternet
Minami Kazuki is Japan’s next star, and you can’t convince us otherwise!
The 20-year-old gymnast, who has already racked up first-place finishes at the 2019 Paris World Challenge Cup and 2019 Cottbus World Cup, might not be able to show off his skills on the World stage ATM, but he’s not letting that hold him back from sharing his talent… and WOW, the talent!
Minami recently shared two unofficial world firsts on his Instagram, as well as probably the cleanest quad full we’ve ever seen. You can watch all three videos below. In order: double-double to 2.5; back 3.5 to front triple; and that incredible quad!
Biles’ response to ‘Dream Floor Routine’ will have you laughing
Gymternet fav Flip Fly Tumble (@flipflytumble) recently got everyone talking when she shared a video titled “Dream Floor Routine – Simone Biles.” And when we say everyone, we mean everyone, including the queen herself!
William & Mary launches campaign to save men’s and women’s teams
The William & Mary gymnastics teams aren’t going down without a fight!
The Tribe gymnastics teams, which were announced last week as two of the teams being cut by the university following this upcoming season, aren’t taking the decision sitting down.
The teams have launched a campaign on social media, consisting of a petition and social media channels in order to try to garner enough attention to convince the university to reconsider.
You can sign the petition here and follow @savewmgym below.
Memmel and Horton appear on American Ninja Warrior
2008 Olympians Chellsie Memmel and Jonathan Horton repped Team USA on a recent episode of American Ninja Warrior!
Watch Horton’s run below!
Training clips: Biles makes us woozy, Vasquez works unique pass, and international stars train upgrades.
This week’s training clips section includes 17 videos that feature Simone Biles (USA), Laney Madsen (BGR), Georgia Godwin (AUS), MyKayla Skinner (USA), Heath Thorpe (AUS), Konnor McClain (USA), and many more national and international athletes!
Meme of the week
Meme? Questionable. True? Most definitely.
