Gymternet Weekly: Backlash to USAG x FloSports partnership, PanAms moved to Brazil, Maggie Nichols’ new role (January 25 – 31, 2021)
It’s never a dull week around the gymternet! Here’s our weekly roundup of news, videos, and more from your favorite gymnasts!
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Top headlines from this post
“The consensus seems to be: USA Gymnastics just took a mighty large step back in its pursuit of redemption in the eyes of fans and the world while once again putting men’s artistic on the back burner in an effort to shore up its finances.”
USA Gymnastics has withdrawn from hosting the 2021 Pan American Championships – an Olympic qualifying event. The event will now be held in Brazil this June.
NCAA and World champion Maggie Nichols – now a coach – says the abrupt end to the 2020 season fuels Oklahoma gymnastics this year.
1.
USAG faces backlash over streaming deal with FloSports
USA Gymnastics is facing widespread backlash from athletes, fans, and coaches after announcing a 5-year streaming deal with FloSports’ gymnastics platform, FloGymnastics, on Wednesday.
Fans were quick to point out FloGymnastics’ history of having notoriously poor quality streams, high subscription costs (currently $29.99/mo or $150/yr) and unprofessional behavior, specifically a 2014 incident in which the outlet linked to nude photos of then-minor McKayla Maroney.
Both organizations issued statements responding to the push back the deal has received. Click here to read the full story.
2.
USA Gymnastics withdraws from hosting 2021 Pan American Championships
USA gymnastics has withdrawn from hosting the 2021 Pan American Championships.
The President of the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU), Naomi Valenzo, confirmed to Gymnastics Now on Monday, January 25, that the artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline Senior Pan American Championships (commonly referred to as Pan Ams) will no longer take place in the United States.
Instead, Brazil has agreed to host the events in June, with Valenzo saying the exact dates and location of the event will hopefully be confirmed soon. Click here for details.
3.
Must read: Maggie Nichols finds joy in new role as coach
Maggie Nichols’ gymnastics career may have been cut short, but it’s clear the gymnast’s impact on her sport will continue for a long time to come.
“I just hope to be remembered by not only my accomplishments [in gymnastics], but the things I also did outside the sport, just spreading positivity and being courageous,” Nichols told Olympic Channel earlier this week. “No matter what you’re going through, you can get through it.”
Click here to read the full feature from Olympic Channel.
4.
Shane Wiskus to remain at USOPTC to train for Olympics, will miss start of NCAA season
The University of Minnesota men’s team announced last week that senior star Shane Wiskus would not be competing with the Gophers when his team opened its season on Saturday, Jan. 30, against Iowa.
Wiskus has elected to remain at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC), where he has been training with fellow U.S. teammates and Olympic hopefuls.
Click here for the details.
5.
Walt Disney World 2021? State of Florida petitions IOC to relocate Olympics from Tokyo to Florida
Walt Disney World 2021? Disney 2021? Orlando 2021? Florida 2021? All of these names are a possibility if Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis gets his wish.
What may that be, you ask? To have the IOC relocate the 2021 Olympics from Tokyo to Florida, and no, we’re not kidding. Click here for the details.
6.
Utah adds Sage Thompson to 2021 signing class
Utah has added Sage Thompson to its star-studded 2021 signing class, with the gymnast set to join World champions Grace McCallum and Kara Eaker in Salt Lake City this upcoming fall.
7.
IOC spends week reassuring athletes that Tokyo Olympics will happen
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) spent much of the past week reassuring athletes, federations, countries, and fans that the Tokyo Olympics will go on this summer, despite the ongoing health crisis.
Here are a few quick reads to make sure you’re up to date on the latest in regard to the big question on many gymnastics’ fans minds: will the Tokyo Olympics happen?
- IOC DISCUSSES PREPARATIONS FOR TOKYO 2020 AND BEIJING 2022 WITH NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
- Olympic Official Seeks Biden’s Help to Save Tokyo Games: ‘It’s Up to the U.S.’
- Smaller Federations “safer” in pandemic and Tokyo 2020 cancellation would not cause bankruptcies – ASOIF executive director
8.
Pregnant Shawn Johnson tests positive for COVID-19: ‘My body is just exhausted’
Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson, who is pregnant with her second child with husband Andrew East, revealed Sunday that she has tested positive for COVID-19.
The gold medal winner in the 2008 Olympic games revealed her coronavirus test results in a lengthy note posted on her Instagram Stories.
“They came back positive for COVID,” Johnson, 29, wrote. “Not going to lie… I’m nervous knowing I’m positive.”
Get the details from USA Today here.
Tweets and things
Competition clips: Two perfect 10s, big air from the men, unique combos, and more
Training clips: Deurloo throws wild combos, Juda looking sharp, Chusovitina vault training, and more
This week’s training clips section includes 22 videos that feature Bart Deurloo (NED), Georgia Godwin (AUS), Paul Juda (USA), Arthur Nory (BRA), and many more national and international athletes!
