Prashanth and gold ... They just so do look good together!!! Hope you boys have enjoyed the warmth of Shenzhen. Good chance to get your routines settled a little more before worlds. And how good was Luke ... With a last minute call up for all around final. :)
Please let him win worlds and make the olympics.. it was awful in years past that he couldn't make it because the team wasn't there and he's not an AA-er. Now is his chance. I hope he hits at worlds and heads to London because seriously, this guy could be our first olympic medallist in gymnastics!
When I read that we came 11th as a team I didn't really think that was a fabulous result... But then I only had to look at who made up that top 10 - Japan, China, Romania, Canada, Ukraine, France, Korea, Russia, Spain, Brazil... It's not like we've fallen in the rankings - it's just that it's so damn hard to break into that field! These are nations that have been at the top of mens gymnastics for a long, long time - and I guess being the NEXT best team isn't too bad at all! Pretty great effort I'd say - and Prashanth is just a legend on pommels.
it was the budget this year, as i know i heard peggy wanting to go with mitchell, brennan, morgan, vivian, bonora & miller. it would have been a good team, but no funding.
The girls have enough money in the budget. As mentioned, they don't have enough girls that got to uni, plus they sent a team to Japan Cup a few months back.
They didn't need to field a full team. They could have just sent Lauren who most likely would have won gold in the all around, beam and floor and maybe medalled on bars. Universiade isn't that well regarded in Australia. They made the right move in not sending girls who are probably going to be on the world's team to another meet when they should be working on upgrades and consistency. They went to Japan Cup recentlythey debuted some new skills and routine while the men's team didn't.
Shona or Olivia could have gone. I belive now is the U.S school holiday period
to anonymous 1:11----how would you know what the wg budget is? do you have some inside information? i know for a fact it was budget reasons they did not go to uni games. people should be able to come to this blog and get factual information, not someone's view of what they think is the reason for something happening or not. opinions are great, but lies are not. there is a difference. please note: i am not telling you how to blog, just a common known fact that acurate information should be a given to readers.
Anon at 2.56 in reference to your comment 'people should be able to come to this blog and get factual information, not someone's view of what they think is the reason for something happening or not'... Blogs are based on opinion by definition! As shown here:
Blog: A Web site on which an individual or group of users record opinions, information, etc. on a regular basis
As are online forums (which this actually is because the 'blog' is written by Mez and consists of the articles, these are comments from random and anonymous readers).
Secondly, if you are interested in the facts about budget etc, it is not difficult to google for GA's financial reports from years past and determine where the money goes.
The reality is that University Games doesn't have the strongest female contingent because a lot of the best seniors are still in high schools (unlike the men). It is more beneficial to the program to send the girls who are aiming towards the olympics to competitions with stronger fields or world cups (where they win money or the results equate to $$s in terms of sports grants). It is a waste of GAs money to send girls like Olivia, Shona, Mel to this type of event if they are no longer striving towards the elite national team.
PS. That is my personal opinion by the way. Though with some in-the-know facts thrown in.
SMH. But honestly...it has nothing to do with budget...the girls haven't sent a team to uni games PERIOD. least not in the last 10 yrs. that i am aware of. you my friend need to get ur "facts" correct before u go critise other ppl
and to say that the team result is great is hilarious. the fact is...they aren't improving. they haven't...i'd say they've gotten worse. Canada and GB were below us a few years ago...these countries are now fighting for top 6 positions in the world...in particular GB. we were ahead of them early 2000's...now that's a distand memory. The standard coming out of GB is top notch.
Don't forget the standard of sports in the host country always increases in the lead up to their home olympics -- more money, more athletes wanting the chance to compete etc. Gb was always was going to improve a great deal in the last few years:)
Some interesting gossip from the US Nationals... Marta Karolyi will be retiring after 2012, and Peggy is apparently in the pool of coaches being considered to take the USA National Team Coordinator position. This is like fourth or fifth hand information, but interesting all the same.
It's been confirmed by Marta that she's definitely retiring at the end of 2012, however the Karolyi ranch will still be the official training centre in the US for the women. I just can't believe for even one second that Peggy would be considered for that job! The dicussions on other blogs has focussed around Valeri Liukin (though he'd be a long shot as he'd have to give up personal coaching), Kelli Hill & one other whose name I can't remember. Be very interesting to see what happens to their standard under a new coordinator though!
That is interesting about the USA but not surprising. I had heard that she was already taking over the GB head coach position after 2012. I guess she will have some decisions to make but it must be nice to be in such high demand and a great sign of respect for what she has achieved in Australia. Heck, I wouldn't mind having 3 countries fighting over me!
I can tell you Canada had discussions with Peggy when she was there in March. I overheard a meeting between Peggy & Kelly Majiak. Peggy did not say much, was just listening.
Some low-ish start values for the GBR team at their friendly against Romania. Anyone know if they watered down, sent a B team, or what? Seeing as we will be in direct competition with them for a top 8 finish, I thought it was interesting...
Highest DV on vault: 5.0
Highest on bars: 5.6, 5.5, 5.3, 5.1 (but no Beth in that line-up)
Highest on beam: 5.7, 5.5, 5.1, 5.1, 4.9
Floor: much stronger, two 5.7s and a 5.4, a 5.3 and a 5.1, with Beth's to be added.
Looking at this, I think we'll be ahead on vault and beam, even or slightly behind on floor, and a bit behind on bars (mainly due to Beth's massive start score bumping up the average).
It will be close! I hope both teams make it, though -- it would be a dreadful shame for GBR not to qualify a team to their home Olympics. I know we all have another chance next year, but it would be SOOOO nice not to have the uncertainty.
Well done guys
ReplyDeletePrashanth and gold ... They just so do look good together!!! Hope you boys have enjoyed the warmth of Shenzhen. Good chance to get your routines settled a little more before worlds. And how good was Luke ... With a last minute call up for all around final. :)
ReplyDeletePlease let him win worlds and make the olympics.. it was awful in years past that he couldn't make it because the team wasn't there and he's not an AA-er. Now is his chance. I hope he hits at worlds and heads to London because seriously, this guy could be our first olympic medallist in gymnastics!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read that we came 11th as a team I didn't really think that was a fabulous result... But then I only had to look at who made up that top 10 - Japan, China, Romania, Canada, Ukraine, France, Korea, Russia, Spain, Brazil... It's not like we've fallen in the rankings - it's just that it's so damn hard to break into that field! These are nations that have been at the top of mens gymnastics for a long, long time - and I guess being the NEXT best team isn't too bad at all! Pretty great effort I'd say - and Prashanth is just a legend on pommels.
ReplyDeleteSo why don't the chicks ever get sent to the uni games?
ReplyDeleteBecause we don't have many girls who are in uni. Ashleigh and Lauren, that's it
ReplyDeleteit was the budget this year, as i know i heard peggy wanting to go with mitchell, brennan, morgan, vivian, bonora & miller. it would have been a good team, but no funding.
ReplyDeleteThe girls have enough money in the budget. As mentioned, they don't have enough girls that got to uni, plus they sent a team to Japan Cup a few months back.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't need to field a full team. They could have just sent Lauren who most likely would have won gold in the all around, beam and floor and maybe medalled on bars. Universiade isn't that well regarded in Australia. They made the right move in not sending girls who are probably going to be on the world's team to another meet when they should be working on upgrades and consistency. They went to Japan Cup recentlythey debuted some new skills and routine while the men's team didn't.
ReplyDeleteShona or Olivia could have gone. I belive now is the U.S school holiday period
wow! so cool.
ReplyDeleteto anonymous 1:11----how would you know what the wg budget is? do you have some inside information? i know for a fact it was budget reasons they did not go to uni games. people should be able to come to this blog and get factual information, not someone's view of what they think is the reason for something happening or not. opinions are great, but lies are not. there is a difference. please note: i am not telling you how to blog, just a common known fact that acurate information should be a given to readers.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 2.56 in reference to your comment 'people should be able to come to this blog and get factual information, not someone's view of what they think is the reason for something happening or not'... Blogs are based on opinion by definition! As shown here:
ReplyDeleteBlog: A Web site on which an individual or group of users record opinions, information, etc. on a regular basis
As are online forums (which this actually is because the 'blog' is written by Mez and consists of the articles, these are comments from random and anonymous readers).
Secondly, if you are interested in the facts about budget etc, it is not difficult to google for GA's financial reports from years past and determine where the money goes.
The reality is that University Games doesn't have the strongest female contingent because a lot of the best seniors are still in high schools (unlike the men). It is more beneficial to the program to send the girls who are aiming towards the olympics to competitions with stronger fields or world cups (where they win money or the results equate to $$s in terms of sports grants). It is a waste of GAs money to send girls like Olivia, Shona, Mel to this type of event if they are no longer striving towards the elite national team.
PS. That is my personal opinion by the way. Though with some in-the-know facts thrown in.
SMH. But honestly...it has nothing to do with budget...the girls haven't sent a team to uni games PERIOD. least not in the last 10 yrs. that i am aware of.
ReplyDeleteyou my friend need to get ur "facts" correct before u go critise other ppl
and to say that the team result is great is hilarious. the fact is...they aren't improving. they haven't...i'd say they've gotten worse. Canada and GB were below us a few years ago...these countries are now fighting for top 6 positions in the world...in particular GB. we were ahead of them early 2000's...now that's a distand memory. The standard coming out of GB is top notch.
ReplyDeletewhat a bunch of haters. wow.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the standard of sports in the host country always increases in the lead up to their home olympics -- more money, more athletes wanting the chance to compete etc. Gb was always was going to improve a great deal in the last few years:)
ReplyDeleteSome interesting gossip from the US Nationals... Marta Karolyi will be retiring after 2012, and Peggy is apparently in the pool of coaches being considered to take the USA National Team Coordinator position. This is like fourth or fifth hand information, but interesting all the same.
ReplyDeleteIt's been confirmed by Marta that she's definitely retiring at the end of 2012, however the Karolyi ranch will still be the official training centre in the US for the women. I just can't believe for even one second that Peggy would be considered for that job! The dicussions on other blogs has focussed around Valeri Liukin (though he'd be a long shot as he'd have to give up personal coaching), Kelli Hill & one other whose name I can't remember. Be very interesting to see what happens to their standard under a new coordinator though!
ReplyDeleteKelli Hill would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting about the USA but not surprising. I had heard that she was already taking over the GB head coach position after 2012. I guess she will have some decisions to make but it must be nice to be in such high demand and a great sign of respect for what she has achieved in Australia. Heck, I wouldn't mind having 3 countries fighting over me!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you Canada had discussions with Peggy when she was there in March. I overheard a meeting between Peggy & Kelly Majiak. Peggy did not say much, was just listening.
ReplyDeleteIf Peggy were to leave, who do you think would take over here in Aus?
ReplyDeleteHow about Liz Chetkovich?
ReplyDeleteJo Richards?
Back to Ju Ping?
Some low-ish start values for the GBR team at their friendly against Romania. Anyone know if they watered down, sent a B team, or what? Seeing as we will be in direct competition with them for a top 8 finish, I thought it was interesting...
ReplyDeleteHighest DV on vault: 5.0
Highest on bars: 5.6, 5.5, 5.3, 5.1 (but no Beth in that line-up)
Highest on beam: 5.7, 5.5, 5.1, 5.1, 4.9
Floor: much stronger, two 5.7s and a 5.4, a 5.3 and a 5.1, with Beth's to be added.
Looking at this, I think we'll be ahead on vault and beam, even or slightly behind on floor, and a bit behind on bars (mainly due to Beth's massive start score bumping up the average).
It will be close! I hope both teams make it, though -- it would be a dreadful shame for GBR not to qualify a team to their home Olympics. I know we all have another chance next year, but it would be SOOOO nice not to have the uncertainty.
Is Peggy being shifted aside or leaving of her own volition?
ReplyDeleteI hope for Liz Chetkovich or Martine George
if Peggy did leave who in australia could take over that role???
ReplyDeleteHUH? Peggy taking over great britain after 2012? that doesnt sound right.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, but does anyone know if Lauren Mitchell is still training the piked arabian double front on floor?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't expect it at this Worlds, of course, but maybe the Olympics?