Friday, January 4, 2008

The Summer of Sams


I really shouldn't be neglecting the efforts of the Men's squad as flagrantly as I appear to. Sorry about that. Two members, in particular, sharing the same name but very different gymnastics styles, have made some landmark achievements over the past gymnastics season.

National MAG champion Sam Offord (SA) has been nominated in his state's Sports Star of the Year Awards, thanks to his efforts at the last Commonwealth Games and in the World Championships. He's the first South Australian national champ in 27 years(!), and also won three other national apparatus titles this year. Vote for Sam and read more on him here!

Sam Simpson (QLD), pictured at top, is to be Australia's sole representative at the 2008 Olympic Games after his placing at the 2007 Worlds and winning the Oceania Olympic wildcard slot. Sam is the 2007 national floor and vault champion. He also valiantly spoke out against team-mate Philippe Rizzo's exclusion from the Games thanks to FIG technicalities which have been deemed controversial by many. Read the article here.

Image courtesy Fox Sports Australia

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Having met Sam Simpson just before Xmas, I have to say he is such a nice, down to earth guy and I wish him all the best for the upcoming Olympics. I along with the rest of the nation well the rest of the GYMNASTICS nation anyways would have loved to see a full MAG squad be going but since that's not going to happen I think Sam deserves his spot and will do his best to represent Aust.

Go get 'em Sam!