tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55756961503478878182024-03-05T19:54:26.283+11:00The Australian Gymnastics BlogMezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.comBlogger1213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-40428724412337122282022-11-18T18:52:00.006+11:002022-11-18T18:53:31.292+11:00Goodnight, Good Luck, Good Tweets<p><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: helvetica;"> I will be closing down my affiliated Twitter account twitter.com/ozgymblog in the next day or so and will no longer do tweeted coverage of Aussie gym.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: helvetica;">Thanks everyone for an absolute tonne of tweety fun since 2008. You rock.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: helvetica;"><3 </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: helvetica;">Meredith</span></b></p>Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-83275513514310028802020-10-16T19:46:00.005+11:002020-10-16T19:46:48.237+11:00Gymnastics in Australia Investigation: Have Your SayThe Australian Human Rights Commission investigation into gymnastics is now taking submissions. These submissions help inform and direct their investigation - they are not considered formal reports or complaints.<div><br /></div><div>You can read the conditions, and submit your information if you are over the age of 18 (if you are under 18 it must be made for you by a parent or guardian) <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/have-your-say/gymnastics-australia-review">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the time to make your voice heard, and help bring about change to what we now understand is a longtime toxic, painful culture damaging our sport. I send my love and strength out if you are having a difficult time articulating or coming to terms with experiences that you had in the sport. We all stand with you. You matter and your experiences matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are still affected by your involvement in gymnastics, consider reaching out to Adair Donaldson and the <a href="https://donaldsonlaw.com.au/our-team/">team at Donaldson Law</a>.</div>Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-8518910618851576542020-09-20T13:22:00.006+10:002020-09-20T18:24:23.439+10:00#GymnastAllianceAUS: Never Too Late To Speak<p><i>(Content warning: Verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse)<br /></i><br /><br />Two very tough #GymnastAllianceAUS stories to share today, one brought to my attention via social media and one raised directly with me by the individual involved.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am, as always, very thankful for (and inspired by) every athlete that comes forward to recount their experiences. It is especially challenging - but just as critical - to hear stories of abusive gymnastics culture when this week has seen celebrations marking both International Gymnastics Day and the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Olympics. Gymnastics Australia spent the week sharing a number of reflection and tribute videos on social media commemorating the people that make this sport so special. But there are other gymnastics stories to tell as well.<br /><br /></p><p>Sydney Olympian and Cirque performer Trudy McIntosh - the "pocket rocket" from Kuala Lumpur '98, the name cemented in the women's Code of Points for vault - has come forward to the Geelong Advertiser to detail the cruel and pressuring behaviours she and the women's team experienced in the lead-up to and during the Games. Unfortunately, the online version of the article is behind a paywall, so my thanks to twitter stalwart Moominwhisky for providing photos of the article as it appeared in the edition <a href="http://here.">here.</a><br /><br /><i></i></p><blockquote><p><i><span style="color: #274e13;">"Going into Sydney... it was led by fear, not encouragement. We were told, "You're going to do well or it's going to look bad on us." So my memory is of the coach yelling at us. [...] I would be lying to say it was a positive experience. It should have been our showcase, our time to shine. But it was a pressure cooker that exploded. "</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>I note that Trudy was conspicuously absent from GA's<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Bk_MK2jHo" target="_blank"> catchup video</a> with members of the 2000 team. Trudy was always one of my favourites as a young gymnast in Victoria, so it was particularly sad for me to learn how miserable and frightened she was when the Olympics are all about celebration and good sportsmanship. Those Games seemed so magical for so many watching. These would have been very difficult memories for her to revisit, so it means a lot that she too is adding her voice to the call for changes in gymnastics culture.<br /><br /><br />Of even greater concern are instances of sexual abuse in the sport coming to light, especially since the release of 'Athlete A'. Former gymnast Alison Quigley has <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/decades-on-alison-extracted-a-confession-from-her-gymnastics-coach-20200811-p55kof.html" target="_blank">shared her story</a> with Greg Baum, about the disgusting grooming and abusive conduct by Victorian coach and PE teacher Graham Partington three decades ago. The individual spent just 3 years behind bars for his crimes and is due for release early next year, which in this blogger's view is reprehensible for actions so heinous against minors.<br /><br />What is most worrying is Alison's strong conviction that she is <u>not alone in what happened to her</u> at the hands of this vile predator, given his lengthy career in coaching and teaching sustained after the incidents involving her. Alison now has multiple tertiary qualifications and is a loving mum, and wants things to be safer for everyone's children as much as her own. She is courageously asking that her story be shared in the gymnastics community in the hopes others affected will come forward with their stories too, and that schools and gyms will take adequate action in addressing sexual abuse incidents. Justice must be done.<br /><br />Like Trudy, and all abuse victims out there, I wish Alison happiness and healing going forward, and hope that Gymnastics Australia take notice of these accounts given the pending Human Rights Commission investigation into the sport's culture. I for one would have liked this week, in addition to all the sentimental Sydney reflections, to have seen GA make a public statement on their platforms affirming their commitment to gymnast safety and wellbeing at all levels.<br /><br /> It is not too late. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>MEDIA UPDATE -Sunday 6:10pm</u></b><br /><br /> I've just had<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/you-can-t-step-out-of-line-medals-come-at-a-price-for-gymnasts-20200916-p55w55.html"> a great new piece</a> from gym writer extraordinnaire Blythe Lawrence ping my way. It goes a bit deeper into the history of gymnastics funding and development in Australia and the major issues of #GymnastAllianceAUS as recent as 2018 Worlds, with social media and reported remarks from past elite competitors.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><blockquote><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><i>"With government funding hinging on good results at international competitions, coaches were under pressure to get good results, and it trickled down to the athletes. The year [Olivia] Vivian turned 16, “management told me I had to make the World Championship team, otherwise we’d lose funding and the program would shut down”."</i></span></blockquote><br /><br />My thanks to Blythe for her dedication in getting this important piece out to major newspapers and shedding more light on such a crucial sports issue. </span></div><p><br /></p>Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-38264241267021462432020-07-30T18:01:00.003+10:002020-07-30T18:01:55.916+10:00#GymnastAllianceAUS: Investigation Imminent<div class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There have been major developments over the last couple of days, none of which would be possible without the courageous voices of Australia's gymnasts past and present.</span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Monday evening, prime time news discussion show The Project did an almost-10 minute feature on the athletes coming forward in #GymnastAllianceAUS. This included interview footage from Chloe Gilliland and a video interview by Waleed Aly with Alexandra Eade. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gymnastics Australia did not provide a comment nor a representative for response, but their existing statement was shown on screen.<br /><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEATmjBq8WhyHulsPlNkgOwNrVdg584_q7m898FAeih6wnyRl6TYdqgNJsckVpgatDQPwk7scIdpZf96AWGoCmX81n060JE_H1zpppg4ydgQrWZQS_IetWUfJgNaVl-9Ew3uDx1NjJTAQC/s1600/July+27+Alex+pic+The+Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEATmjBq8WhyHulsPlNkgOwNrVdg584_q7m898FAeih6wnyRl6TYdqgNJsckVpgatDQPwk7scIdpZf96AWGoCmX81n060JE_H1zpppg4ydgQrWZQS_IetWUfJgNaVl-9Ew3uDx1NjJTAQC/s320/July+27+Alex+pic+The+Project.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />You can see the full piece as it appeared <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1287681920374050816">here</a>, and it is also available on 10Play.<br /></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the last hour this afternoon, GA announced in <a href="https://www.gymnastics.org.au/Ga/Posts/News_Articles/2020/07_Jul/Gymnastics_Australia_Statement.aspx">a new statement</a> at their website and on social media that an official independent investigation will be conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) into the culture and practices of gymnastics in this country. <br /><br />Their advice and findings will be published in the first quarter of 2021, and made publicly available <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/gymnastics">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"The Commission will facilitate a series of listening and focus groups, seek written submissions and conduct interviews with key stakeholders to understand athlete (both past and present) experiences within the sport. </span></i></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Commission will also review current policies and practices relating to the safety and wellbeing of athletes and the implementation and governance structures around those policies."</span></i></span></blockquote>
Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-63318759399265802962020-07-25T13:27:00.002+10:002020-07-26T11:34:42.733+10:00#GymnastAllianceAUS: Media and responses<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a week. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you to everyone who has expressed support for the gymnasts who started speaking out this week about the frightening and hurtful training conditions they have dealt with. Thank you to those who let me share their stories. What started as a trickle, organised amongst themselves and inspired by one another, has grown into a wave.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>To any of the athletes who might be reading this:</b> I hope that you are feeling okay. I hope that you are safe. I hope you can start to find healing, and I hope anybody reaching out to you for further comment or to express solidarity is doing so with tact and respect. Your bravery has spoken volumes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Special shout out to elite gym Waverley Gymnastics Centre (home of former Olympic and World team members Bonora, Morgan, Miller and Folino) for asserting their support for the movement publicly <a href="https://www.facebook.com/waverleygymnasticscentre/photos/a.315530018457085/3514503211893067/?type=3&theater">on their Facebook page</a>.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As all these stories have been coming to light, I have been particularly conscious of the news around the tragic passing of Australian pairs figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya this week. As with any young person, particularly those in a unique high-achiever space, young athletes deserve fair treatment in their training centres and safe outlets for the times that they feel anxious, afraid or in pain.<br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>If you or someone you know is affected by this week's events, please reach out to <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/contact-us">Beyondblue </a>or to Lifeline on 13 11 14.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Help is out there, and seeking it is not weak or giving up. It's one of the strongest things that you can do.</u></b></span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As mentioned in my main post below, Gymnastics Australia CEO Kitty Chiller issued </span><a href="https://www.gymnastics.org.au/Ga/Posts/News_Articles/2020/07_Jul/A_letter_from_our_CEO_regarding_gymnastics_culture.aspx" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an open letter </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">acknowledging the stories coming out and mentioning the creation of a dedicated email address </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(<i>again, see below for my none-too-pleased reaction to how they went about this!</i>)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and listening groups for affected athletes and their families. This statement appeared on their website but was not linked to any of their public social media accounts which I found puzzling.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday afternoon (Friday), GA released <a href="https://www.gymnastics.org.au/Ga/Posts/News_Articles/2020/07_Jul/A_message_from_CEO_Kitty_Chiller_AM.aspx">an additional statement</a> from Chiller on their website and on social media accounts, featuring both text and video. GA has announced the establishment of an independent and confidential helpline, where abusive behaviour in the gym can be reported anonymously. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They also announced in this statement:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> "We have established a Foundation Course Advisory Group with several athletes, who have aired their stories, offering to help develop and drive this new course. This group is charged with building an education framework based on the athlete first and athlete – coach partnership philosophy. </i></span></span><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The education framework will start with a foundation course that will be compulsory for all coaches and judges to complete in order to renew their Membership. Additionally, all affiliated clubs will be required to have their staff and volunteers complete the foundation course as well."</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is of course not the end of the issue of serious mistreatment in Australian gymnastics training centres. This is not the end of more stories coming out. <i>This does not undo what's already been done</i>. I do appreciate that GA is not denying or downplaying the painful stories coming out. But every voice, every story is a personal truth that still matters in this sport and real change can't start to take shape until accountability and visible, meaningful actions begin.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More. Work. Absolutely. Needs. To. Be. Done. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, here are just some of the media outlets that have carried the story of gymnasts coming forward this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/the-abuse-needs-to-stop-australian-ex-gymnasts-lash-out-20200722-p55ehx.html">The Age/SMH</a> (also appears in the Brisbane Times)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/gymnastics-abuse-you-re-kidding-20200724-p55f8s.html">The Age</a> - Greg Baum's follow up article on a previous abuse investigation at the AIS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.aap.com.au/aussie-gymnasts-detail-abuse-in-the-sport/">Australian Associated Press</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6847507/the-nightmare-behind-a-newcastle-gymnasts-olympic-dream/">Newcastle Herald</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/23/deep-scars-gymnastics-australia-promises-action-after-athletes-allege-abuse">The Guardian</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://7news.com.au/sport/gymnastics/aussie-gymnasts-detail-abuse-in-the-sport-c-1187508">7news.com.au</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-53509107">BBC World News</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/23/sport/gymnastics-australia-action-abuse-athletes-spt-intl/index.html">CNN</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/australian-gymnasts-reveal-physical-emotional-and-mental-abuse-gymnastics-australia-news-athlete-a-olympics/news-story/b07d5637085c2622dff1a2191442c00f">Fox Sports</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://wwos.nine.com.au/news/gymnastics-abuse-australian-athletes-react-after-netflix-documentary-us/88682249-a920-4070-a09b-abfe37b41789">9's Wide World of Sports</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1286132394647367680">ESPN Australia and NZ</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Pete_Fairbairn/status/1286053219035037697">Best on Ground sports podcast</a></span><br />
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<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-56209956639172826112020-07-20T12:41:00.010+10:002020-07-30T17:46:32.689+10:00#GymnastAllianceAUS (Updating Post)<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A storm is coming, can you feel it...?</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Off the back of the releases of Netflix gymnastics documentary 'Athlete A' and the ESPN podcast series 'Heavy Medals', a multitude of current and former elite international gymnasts have started speaking out about verbally and physically abusive treatment experienced in their gyms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After horrifying revelations involving gymnastics training centres in the United States came to light and reverberated around the world, the spotlight next fell on British Gymnastics. Numerous celebrated Olympic,World and European medallists from Team GB's ranks have spoken publicly on social and traditional media outlets about their negative experiences. Among the many harrowing stories shared, the most striking accounts came from former elites Catherine Lyons and Amy Tinkler who spoke of competing on serious injuries, forced isolation and emotional gaslighting leading to premature retirement from the sport. 2000 Olympian Lisa Mason was also very vocal for the cause.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hashtag gaining traction each day has been #GymnastAlliance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As one of the most popular youth sports in the country, it was only a matter of time before the movement reached Australia. Over the weekend, several former gymnasts from our senior elite national program found the courage to tell their stories, and it is believed many more are due to come. On social media they are pledging support for eachother and for a shift to safer, smarter, more transparent coaching in a modern age. The movement even has its own hashtag - #gymnastallianceAUS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the record, this blog did not start the hashtag. It has no employment, direct affiliation or representation whatsoever with Gymnastics Australia or its state associations. This blog has previously been given media accreditation issued by GA at the national championships.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I am not a parent, family member or coach of a gymnast. I am just a longtime fan and observer. I speak on nobody's behalf but my own, unless requested to do so.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I stand with every single male or female gymsport athlete who has dealt with difficult, dangerous circumstances and I firmly believe that every training environment should be a safe and transparent one. I stand with #GymnastAlliance and #GymnastAllianceAUS</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I have created this post to centralise any statements and media coverage available online and I will do my best to update it on a regular basis. (Some statements may be over several posts)</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Content Trigger Warning: Mentions of verbal abuse/harrassment of children, eating disorders, bodily injury, attempted suicide</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mary-Anne Monckton, 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and World Cup medallist</b></span></div><div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">"I don't want future gymnasts to have to go through the same things we did. However, this insidious culture won't go away overnight..."</span></span></i></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Alex Eade, Commonwealth Games gold medallist & World Championship team member</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">"I was scared to vocalise how much pain I was in [...] I am coming forward because I want change."<br /><br /><br /></span></i></span><b style="font-family: arial;">Rianna Mizzen, Commonwealth Games medallist & World Cup medallist</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jade Sharp (nee Davidson), 1996 Olympic hopeful turned coach</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chloe Gilliland (nee Sims), 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and World Championship team member<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsm8nRSmuiamk4tqezn74j9f57zXluO67f0uagCdOYVzhw_ZYFh2sL3B9laNwKyIG4ZUOCSYAfQLSgnsVOvquRgIR4DfVRgiE2TdRoyE7sXM_ITpAhGG_CCzWEl_YCTXf8Qwc8eP5jyV/s602/Story28+Sims+fixed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpsm8nRSmuiamk4tqezn74j9f57zXluO67f0uagCdOYVzhw_ZYFh2sL3B9laNwKyIG4ZUOCSYAfQLSgnsVOvquRgIR4DfVRgiE2TdRoyE7sXM_ITpAhGG_CCzWEl_YCTXf8Qwc8eP5jyV/s320/Story28+Sims+fixed.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">"I still feel horribly about almost all parts of my gymnastics career... I felt it was easier to end my own life than give in to what they wanted me to be."</span></i><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Olivia Vivian, 2008 Olympian and NCAA Medallist (Oregon State University)<br /></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE7ZHDzeTPOM-0cJmDQ1MA5ixF1yE1f5RSjP7s9AoYLe4OUctJtv9Rt0_QB97ufUXMw_kPCYAHJCXTSNldiUH7kob2V4XcGDErvjyRsQEjrR8-4YSRQ5duHhdtH1CT14Bap1czhK4TZja/s1600/Story6+Vivian+a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="792" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWE7ZHDzeTPOM-0cJmDQ1MA5ixF1yE1f5RSjP7s9AoYLe4OUctJtv9Rt0_QB97ufUXMw_kPCYAHJCXTSNldiUH7kob2V4XcGDErvjyRsQEjrR8-4YSRQ5duHhdtH1CT14Bap1czhK4TZja/s320/Story6+Vivian+a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAuXOyf_mD9cPNWkeweIyRvGNnIY-YKuZjtzryViZJ_6vd_9LpgbFtM9hMZhKwc2ZX5lffI5Aej0JtsL81zg0-TUT7_CQEhoRdpzJOvnpIpQ76w8NUbx9y-Fu_M-1IymMSjdll9pfQW96/s1600/Story6+Vivian+b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="804" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAuXOyf_mD9cPNWkeweIyRvGNnIY-YKuZjtzryViZJ_6vd_9LpgbFtM9hMZhKwc2ZX5lffI5Aej0JtsL81zg0-TUT7_CQEhoRdpzJOvnpIpQ76w8NUbx9y-Fu_M-1IymMSjdll9pfQW96/s320/Story6+Vivian+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><i>"After reaching my goal and representing my country at the highest level of competition I was a broken athlete and even worse, a broken person. [Competing at OSU] opened my eyes to how this sport should be experienced. OSU turned me back into that girl who couldn't wait to go to gym."</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Georgia Bonora, 2008 and 2012 Olympic team member<br /></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFiDleQxj-66D9uw4fYaPjqp1_NN1otB7vX38wURH3mHJf1AmIxflropqrO5-7ERbE6JqjJqUAo0uySRxNbXe-bSzoZT6Qqj2Ct3FuNqbFwsv6OwTaJknlzb9RNgigJI3c8TlpDdRiOYe/s1600/Story7+Bonora.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="936" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFiDleQxj-66D9uw4fYaPjqp1_NN1otB7vX38wURH3mHJf1AmIxflropqrO5-7ERbE6JqjJqUAo0uySRxNbXe-bSzoZT6Qqj2Ct3FuNqbFwsv6OwTaJknlzb9RNgigJI3c8TlpDdRiOYe/s320/Story7+Bonora.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"I have had some terrible experiences at major international competitions and national training camps between 2006 - 2012 that I wouldn't wish on anyone... there was a culture of fear created by people in power."</span></span></i>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Britt Greeley, 2008 Pacific Rim Championship and 2009 Youth Olympic Fest team member</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_90N2kgLEGWcdeCVl8nVIxMR1kI0MzSeq44hHZUpAUsjaTQyC16aGV-vOWdGYH3Cf3oRxQfLiwzEJ0hJx1Fw-gJ5Y_LfH3ZFkX9SyuIouHTfVW6VYYqFSrZv6xLSklaSAG1tJ0RfJTNY/s1600/Story8+Greeley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="938" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_90N2kgLEGWcdeCVl8nVIxMR1kI0MzSeq44hHZUpAUsjaTQyC16aGV-vOWdGYH3Cf3oRxQfLiwzEJ0hJx1Fw-gJ5Y_LfH3ZFkX9SyuIouHTfVW6VYYqFSrZv6xLSklaSAG1tJ0RfJTNY/s320/Story8+Greeley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">"Competing on a broken foot at age 12 and being told you were just homesick... training/competing on a broken back and being forced to keep going. Having no support from the coaches who were once your biggest fan, just to throw you down in the gutter... #JustToListAFew #GymnastAllianceAus"</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Eden Tarvit<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2011-2014 National vault medallist<br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"[Athlete A] has brought to our attention some issues within the sport that we may not have noticed at the time. However now is the time for change, to raise awareness and to help protect our younger generation of athletes. The culture in gymnastics is based on fear. We feared our coaches and authority figures. We were not allowed to cry in the gym or show any emotion. We were treated like adults when we were kids, and in the end, we weren't treated like people at all."<br /><br /></i></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Desnee Richter, 2015 Australian National medallist and Olympic hopeful</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nU6CQXpZ87Z_C0ENb7O22cIjVZnitnZX7ird0Zg0YxF9isbuMpEnDR0Gw8FETgMHfIk07vJBGrxSYFloC_3byzrviH_eEmvSj4f0nqqSLqf_xxcVhea-DMresU1gAahLXFzQx5rtV534/s1600/Story10+Richter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="878" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nU6CQXpZ87Z_C0ENb7O22cIjVZnitnZX7ird0Zg0YxF9isbuMpEnDR0Gw8FETgMHfIk07vJBGrxSYFloC_3byzrviH_eEmvSj4f0nqqSLqf_xxcVhea-DMresU1gAahLXFzQx5rtV534/s320/Story10+Richter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><font color="#274e13"><br />"The negative memories seem to cloud the positive... from being yelled at and belittled to the point of tears, being forced to wear sweat suits in summer for weight loss as a teen, to being told I was throwing medals away when I sustained an injury needing surgery..."</font></i></span><br /><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Shar-Lee Clark, Australian National medallist</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQb8u-d0cAHEaQX3kzWLuxxqeZznBz_1MRNwuXLAt9PRzFi-Ua29P1HwkKzdYA66yJmzQAOZlmFww11XqpLDHwRfJ4pC8G7ZQn608fl76USha9WToJE1HFfViGnzvKplXujIiTmkxyLJ_/s1600/Story11+Clark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="894" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQb8u-d0cAHEaQX3kzWLuxxqeZznBz_1MRNwuXLAt9PRzFi-Ua29P1HwkKzdYA66yJmzQAOZlmFww11XqpLDHwRfJ4pC8G7ZQn608fl76USha9WToJE1HFfViGnzvKplXujIiTmkxyLJ_/s320/Story11+Clark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />"My coach caught me eating [a muesli bar] and made me throw them out in front of the entire team. I will never forget the humiliation of this."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Olivia Brown, Australian National medallist </b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(via Instagram)<br /></b><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"It was the little things that stay burned into your mind years and years after finishing the sport. It was the, your hair needs to be shorter, you need to look a certain way (body type) and act a certain way."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Shannon Neate, Australian National medallist</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">"I'd like to include some direct quotes said to myself and my teammates while we were training as elite gymnasts:<br />- You're a disappointment</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>- Your parents are wasting their money paying for your training.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>- You're not injured, don't lie</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>- Go back to levels gymnastics</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">- You're an adult and you will be treated like one (I was 15)."</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Emily Little, 2012 Olympian and World Cup medallist<br /><br /></b></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87PPCNGEOk6w3jGtt1p4TtKZ_Mfp7w9FtDzjyhWNC7yw1xkqZHHy3gdvLU4rAbEzsJX3EYV8p3l-VGIV7_ywbUJpmDiAi5G0R9BBI1mMAh9AzfKEuxTvEhP81SjUswH_UR1iqBp1V0_gR/s927/Story14+Little.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="927" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87PPCNGEOk6w3jGtt1p4TtKZ_Mfp7w9FtDzjyhWNC7yw1xkqZHHy3gdvLU4rAbEzsJX3EYV8p3l-VGIV7_ywbUJpmDiAi5G0R9BBI1mMAh9AzfKEuxTvEhP81SjUswH_UR1iqBp1V0_gR/s320/Story14+Little.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"I grew up in an elite system and was mistreated at times. However we can change things for the better... I love this sport, I have gained so much from it, but we can do better."</i></span><br /><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Luke Wadsworth (men's artistic gymnast), national medallist and World Championship competitor</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJrgu4ZeM-9uCTMeopKMRAoC48gFBrqj6XDfu1GmbHkNNmMa_O3R1as6tIbHzX7EVfbT3LCOp3OjlyCQw_t67Ng5T-UoyaeSeSEV6RE61urCK3rqtuE8zowfKlnZMMjmEwXSkhdjaatwn/s1600/Story15+Wadsworth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="915" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJrgu4ZeM-9uCTMeopKMRAoC48gFBrqj6XDfu1GmbHkNNmMa_O3R1as6tIbHzX7EVfbT3LCOp3OjlyCQw_t67Ng5T-UoyaeSeSEV6RE61urCK3rqtuE8zowfKlnZMMjmEwXSkhdjaatwn/s320/Story15+Wadsworth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"My experience with gymnastics was 90% amazing, it's still my favourite sport... however, I heard and saw things looking back that were 100% not ok and being a teenager or young adult it's hard to know what to do when these people are who you look up to, who you have to impress to make teams..."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kent Pieterse (men's artistic gymnast), Commonwealth Games medallist and national medallist</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fcGRKDmOuRWrtT2R2KZugsea0qx-gJ_H5VpQplc7waS9uXMn5z-ZWv2NxrUuNXFRHArv5cd1F_1BmeE1zXL4cpadJzqrEQzaoLjjps_PMvrUaNlXc2CQWc01E2sKLFney4BqpqUbaJHf/s1600/Story16+Pieterse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="895" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fcGRKDmOuRWrtT2R2KZugsea0qx-gJ_H5VpQplc7waS9uXMn5z-ZWv2NxrUuNXFRHArv5cd1F_1BmeE1zXL4cpadJzqrEQzaoLjjps_PMvrUaNlXc2CQWc01E2sKLFney4BqpqUbaJHf/s320/Story16+Pieterse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I recently<a href="http://ozgymnastics.blogspot.com/2020/06/skin-in-game-q-with-kent-pieterse.html"> interviewed Kent</a> about his experiences of racism in the gym and he offered his support yesterday on Twitter to all those speaking out on social media.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Jazmine Casis, National medallist</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TqpDAAtWwhmtVtfx90i0Cw5c-1tJZCfuBn92cKiTzf8HkdeXAMP5dQLFLQob9kmHs7aTkcu6VV4gVJt-__fjYFFBhH5bhRQ371mESAMvStNcqje96oO-2D2zXI-3ZHTp6pmqf_SbDsW0/s1600/Story17+Casis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="937" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TqpDAAtWwhmtVtfx90i0Cw5c-1tJZCfuBn92cKiTzf8HkdeXAMP5dQLFLQob9kmHs7aTkcu6VV4gVJt-__fjYFFBhH5bhRQ371mESAMvStNcqje96oO-2D2zXI-3ZHTp6pmqf_SbDsW0/s320/Story17+Casis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"I stuck around because I believed that I needed this coach/treated this way to achieve my dreams... When it came to nationals I was not prepared and landed a tumble and my ankle went... I ended up having 2 surgeries and never being able to train at full capacity again. We took this further up in the organisation but was told there was nothing that could be done about it."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />Yasmin Collier, National medallist and Pacific Rim Championships competitor (via instagram)<br /></b></span><i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />[Our coaches] left five 12 year olds defenceless in an airport. We remember being so scared and remember making suitcase barricades to keep the 'weird men' away."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Paige James, National medallist, Youth Olympic festival competitor and first Indigenous Australian gymnast to make a national team<br /></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q5qu38hZ0V3oW3qeWpTUIkKiEhrIglvtWZWNn-7TC9ZGkJTvACG1w8oH9BQ723wGeHjv9SoKcWKLwMkIntCaFPVOySfcIvOZfFQiup9a1oa0sURRz_hpSlkLDAq4y97wOkpUA19pqyi4/s1600/Story18+James.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="789" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q5qu38hZ0V3oW3qeWpTUIkKiEhrIglvtWZWNn-7TC9ZGkJTvACG1w8oH9BQ723wGeHjv9SoKcWKLwMkIntCaFPVOySfcIvOZfFQiup9a1oa0sURRz_hpSlkLDAq4y97wOkpUA19pqyi4/s320/Story18+James.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div><font color="#274e13" face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>"I was 14 at another gymnastics camp at AIS and I was struggling to perform a skill. Instead of words of motivation, support and encouragement, I was publicly shamed by being screamed at that I was a pathetic excuse of a person, I was a disgrace to gymnastics, a disgrace to my family and I was a disgrace to the whole Aboriginal community."<br /><br /><br /><br /></i></font></div></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Aya Meggs, National medallist and Nadia Comaneci Invitational team member</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt32FVlGHhrYEYAjSrNSYqeMHMb72v102wU3m8DwP6UNB2Z1ZGEMDX21Lq0cdlY0Vw3cM6jvIMwB10vSc9I7EVkZaPAkzOK4tO1CeeV7t3ZsYPJxTZEzHGStmD3NO1VM55rGcai5rxKbu/s1600/Story19+Meggs+b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="944" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt32FVlGHhrYEYAjSrNSYqeMHMb72v102wU3m8DwP6UNB2Z1ZGEMDX21Lq0cdlY0Vw3cM6jvIMwB10vSc9I7EVkZaPAkzOK4tO1CeeV7t3ZsYPJxTZEzHGStmD3NO1VM55rGcai5rxKbu/s320/Story19+Meggs+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"There were so any times when the type of adversity we had to overcome was unnecessary...Training camps and travel was a major source of anxiety. I'd get a stomach ache before and after every meal for fear of being caught eating too much."<br /></i></span><br /><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Amelia McGrath, National medallist and Pacific Rim Championships medallist</b></span></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><i>"All the highs come with tremendous lows, in and out of the gym: Anxiety, obsessive tendencies, depression to the point that mum used to help me shower because I couldn't do it myself. Waking up every morning to feelings of fear and dread. Disordered eating, tremendous and frankly unusual amounts of stress, being weighed every Monday morning from the age of ELEVEN."<br /></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Livia Giles (Gluchowska), Former Polish-Australian rhythmic gymnast turned physiotherapist and competitive wrestler.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdwtrpw4GpDu0U9T6MMa1NcPR1L81n4c6CC8zNvNaDfT9Eve89sqo3PKakfUS9E8Mt99E92Z65NMz7E5LGxLqA0iTWbi-Ci02yXuWz3gFUyWVA-0CmaeRouJIZirxzIiVG5O4_0G8f7pM/s1600/Story21+Giles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="949" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdwtrpw4GpDu0U9T6MMa1NcPR1L81n4c6CC8zNvNaDfT9Eve89sqo3PKakfUS9E8Mt99E92Z65NMz7E5LGxLqA0iTWbi-Ci02yXuWz3gFUyWVA-0CmaeRouJIZirxzIiVG5O4_0G8f7pM/s320/Story21+Giles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"It makes me shake in rage at how anyone allowed it to happen in the first place. Deprived of food at training camps, not only in Poland but at the AIS in Australia... the Aussie swim team would sneak us food between room inspections."</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Trinity De Lance Au-Yong, National club gymnast</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG6LwSTCbBv6dDFmRrcUClUe2p5pmw5YK7DfwKvWZANuJxJ3GuHFpoWUdjhrirGtJxOZz4ISiWpYCQFnLz_S8SmG_VX57so0xJLmU_-Iik8u0f8MqgtXfbbnKk-UGuEAGPpR8W9G9Ju76/s1600/Story22+Delance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="927" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG6LwSTCbBv6dDFmRrcUClUe2p5pmw5YK7DfwKvWZANuJxJ3GuHFpoWUdjhrirGtJxOZz4ISiWpYCQFnLz_S8SmG_VX57so0xJLmU_-Iik8u0f8MqgtXfbbnKk-UGuEAGPpR8W9G9Ju76/s320/Story22+Delance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><i>"Watching all my role models I grew up with coming out and sharing their stories has made me feel like I could come out and share my story too. The toxicity I experienced in gymnastics from the age of 6 to 10 has played a big role in my life... my mom reported it multiple times about all [that] was done and got yelled at, and told it was my fault."</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /><br /></span></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sophie Stuart, State Championship medallist and state squad member<br /></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BxR4f09p8hrxt9YaIJr5JMX4wAIbzdEU4NY0z2GgKGWagLqZOmLoMMJBF7li5cGW5EStYIBOsXoEmQPV04_4siGby_DsS1ZUpc5P5j26p1G1yefY-wbdRy-ikfWTbaqv_IuJRjuaVxti/s1600/Story23+Stuart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="911" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BxR4f09p8hrxt9YaIJr5JMX4wAIbzdEU4NY0z2GgKGWagLqZOmLoMMJBF7li5cGW5EStYIBOsXoEmQPV04_4siGby_DsS1ZUpc5P5j26p1G1yefY-wbdRy-ikfWTbaqv_IuJRjuaVxti/s320/Story23+Stuart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"I was belittled constantly and told I was never good enough... at my first junior Aus team camp I was yelled at endlessly because I was unable to do a difficult skill. I was told that I was an embarrassment and that I ruined the camp for everyone, never to be invited back. Hopefully sharing my story will help others create a positive impact..."</i></span><br /><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="color: black;" /></span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Isobel Looker, </span></b><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">State Championship medallist and state squad member</b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">"When I was a gymnast, I used to tell my mates that I would 'never put my kids into gymnastics' because of the trauma it would inflict on them. I laughed at the time but I didn't realise the seriousness of this statement... we need CHANGE."</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Ebonie Boucher, state and national medallist</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_xqAIYWvQRPBWQ-cEJMz-as-qJzIziQ8rFBqMIZLB_iSMWB-4aO6Ci7mSQ4RbrLpcFEZ91RgLrjSWiwTM6m1qJ0S2MbwVrb9jCIXTFOipaSSaAir2FDk45MBFWPRzDYw8eXcX7ufKNoi/s1600/Story25+Boucher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="801" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_xqAIYWvQRPBWQ-cEJMz-as-qJzIziQ8rFBqMIZLB_iSMWB-4aO6Ci7mSQ4RbrLpcFEZ91RgLrjSWiwTM6m1qJ0S2MbwVrb9jCIXTFOipaSSaAir2FDk45MBFWPRzDYw8eXcX7ufKNoi/s320/Story25+Boucher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="color: #274e13;"><br />"At face value gymnastics seems like this sport filled with flips, tricks and fancy leotards, but behind closed doors it's a whole different world. We were living in constant fear of not performing a skill correctly or meeting the coach's standards, continually being fat-shamed and never being able to shed a tear no matter the circumstances as "Olympians don't cry"... I wonder if the ever coaches knew how many tears were shed by their gymnasts in their home!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Carrie Freestone, former state-level gymnast turned crossfit athlete<br /></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaM9OxMk3LZpJGfpmTRTuh4753NwnniXEg3m_6COZ08cSRpxGw5790gIUGs8OQOXzjkMeBX2ymeUSgdvOROMFefmVSlRf6HyLjDUIrAkerP4vjOupW8mzBVHXdXImiBj3m7utsrSu3Jdd/s1600/Story26+Freestone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="930" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaM9OxMk3LZpJGfpmTRTuh4753NwnniXEg3m_6COZ08cSRpxGw5790gIUGs8OQOXzjkMeBX2ymeUSgdvOROMFefmVSlRf6HyLjDUIrAkerP4vjOupW8mzBVHXdXImiBj3m7utsrSu3Jdd/s320/Story26+Freestone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Me. This is my struggle. I hurt my elbow training on vault. My coach insinuated it was nothing. Told my parents it was nothing... This is not just an 'elite' problem. This treatment is not just reserved for Olympic hopefuls. This happened in a suburban Brisbane gym with other Regional, State and National level gymnasts."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /><br /><br /></b></span><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Eadie Rawson, state and national medallist (via Instagram)</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmtq1Vrm_r3maeuo5fMH5WHAHweKajHWq9fy8AuV95iV5SADCVhfyB4_4VTsU0zr9iD6l0AJbgkYj-6sua-CW2ClcP4b6glaydQrUyfjWIpuvfO-Wep99P8Fd3o-naDBws3FSwecQzWu-/s928/Story27+Rawson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="928" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmtq1Vrm_r3maeuo5fMH5WHAHweKajHWq9fy8AuV95iV5SADCVhfyB4_4VTsU0zr9iD6l0AJbgkYj-6sua-CW2ClcP4b6glaydQrUyfjWIpuvfO-Wep99P8Fd3o-naDBws3FSwecQzWu-/s320/Story27+Rawson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"From an extremely young age, we were placed in an environment where we were publicly shamed, and embarrassed in front of peers and superiors. These and many other outdated ideologies, and coaching methods continue throughout any athlete's career, which has lasting effects long after stepping out of the gym... this needs to stop now to protect the young gymnasts in these environments today."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Some things I witnessed over the years as a fan:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* 2004 Olympics: After a fall on her beam dismount during the preliminary round of competition, Lisa Skinner was loudly admonished on camera by national coach Peggy Liddick, "You did that 4 years ago!" after dismounting the podium. Video of this incident is no longer available at Youtube as it cuts off early but I captured it on VHS during the broadcast</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2008 Courier Mail </span><a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/broken-bodies-beijing-tragedy/news-story/ec21bbf872a90de2295c93b0589b00a6?sv=fd63b695f1d7b976d229d600b4d27f3a" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">article</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: "Broken Bodies are Tragedy of Beijing Olympics"</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span></span></span></i><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Something must be going wrong – everyone is getting injured, everyone is retiring," Arrowsmith said.</span></i><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">"All the people I trained with, all the people I competed against – it's like the lost generation, we were one of the best groups."</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* I was once sent a screengrab of a former senior gymnast's claim on social media that they and their teammates were encouraged by the coaches and chaperones at an international competition to avoid eating any pasta or bread during the trip. I have not reached out to this individual and as far as I'm aware they have not made a #gymnastalliance statement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Australian Gymnastics Blog recognises that in recent years Gymnastics Australia and its state associations have affirmed their commitment to SafeSport, among other safety and wellbeing programs. But it is my opinion that this absolutely does not undo or rectify any past poor treatment of gymnasts and inappropriate comments to the media.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>*** <u>UPDATE WEDNESDAY JULY 22ND</u> ***</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Age (and its Fairfax sister papers around the country) has published </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gymnastics Australia CEO Kitty Chiller has issued </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I still maintain there are many more stories to come out and I will update them where I can with the permission of the athletes involved.This is not over after just one statement to media.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As always, I stand with every athlete in our gymnastics disciplines and send them my best wishes at a challenging time for the sport. We see you, we value you, we support you.</span><br />
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</div></div></div>Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-62892995463567157862020-06-27T14:12:00.000+10:002020-06-27T14:22:44.380+10:00Skin in the Game: A Q&A with Kent Pieterse<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />3 years is a long hiatus, but as the old saying goes: there's no time like the present...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In May and June of 2020, a lengthy series of worldwide protests broke out against racial discrimination and police brutality towards the black community, in response to the death of American citizen George Floyd at the hands of white police officers. The waves of the debate reverberated profoundly here in Australia, where there has been a significant history of oppression towards first nation and migrant black Australians. For those readers unfamiliar with Australia's history, this deep pain ranges from colonialism's slavery and forced family separations to constitutional and ongoing socioeconomic inequality, and racial attacks both online and in communities. The 'Black Lives Matter' support movement has gathered in strength, urgency and amplification of its important messages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In light of this increasing movement, many organisations around the world have expressed their solidarity with those protesting, and asserted a greater commitment to diversity within their structures and the wellbeing of POC (person/s of colour). A number of athletes, musicians and other public figures have been stepping forward to share their experiences with racial remarks, stereotypes and unequal treatment. Some were exasperating, some were genuinely life-threatening; some had been very recent, some were childhood incidents, all were shocking - but not altogether surprising - to learn, as the world has such a long way to go in its striving for peace and fairness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One such individual making his voice heard is Kent Pieterse.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiVPo5EbASaZwps3QoIOg5bve5Mo6OdfSDAZ4KF8AQCGIaAXt_iGGztYgtOjFuNTsO7d1yRNzK-7co5jkARQB0GzRJIrzHznR5g0yDq9jWUp3bSZQK7OT5DhCTe6T6iBOom6GI23d0f4F/s1600/2020kentpsolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiVPo5EbASaZwps3QoIOg5bve5Mo6OdfSDAZ4KF8AQCGIaAXt_iGGztYgtOjFuNTsO7d1yRNzK-7co5jkARQB0GzRJIrzHznR5g0yDq9jWUp3bSZQK7OT5DhCTe6T6iBOom6GI23d0f4F/s320/2020kentpsolo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Spotify</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kent was a member of the Australian men's artistic gymnastics national team for several years, and represented the country at numerous international competitions during his career, most notably the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I've followed Kent on social media for a while as I greatly enjoyed his performances on the competition floor here in Melbourne. Now retired from the sport but still coaching, Kent recently posted <a href="https://twitter.com/Kentpieterse/status/1270582774395580416">a series of tweets</a> where he recounted some racially discriminatory remarks made by a senior coach while he was training and the lack of support received from team-mates. I reached out to Kent asking if he would be comfortable elaborating on these experiences, as I felt that as a white person with European heritage it is important at such a critical time in our history to elevate the voices of the marginalised, to listen and to learn.<br /><br /> As a sport, artistic gymnastics has undoubtedly been shaped by a white-centric gaze and white European techniques. In 2020 the very notion of 'artistry' itself, in a field governed by an open-ended scoring code, is being continuously disassembled and debated by enthusiasts while Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Morgan Hurd, Christopher Remkes, Courtney Tulloch, and a multitude of non-white gymnasts continue to push the boundaries of what is possible on every apparatus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am extremely thankful to Kent for his time and his honesty in responding to my questions.</span><br />
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<b><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">"</span></i><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">I think John Orozco and I have quite similar stories in the sense that we struggled to find where we fit in, but we were both two black guys who wanted to do the best we could for our country but we were made to feel different because of how we looked...</span></i><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">"</span></i></b></blockquote>
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<b><br />Hi Kent. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.<br /><br /></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First and foremost, where can we find you these days during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown period? What activities have you been up to? I see music is still one of your big passions!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That’s a fantastic question!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>As far as work goes, I’ve been fortunate enough to still coach gymnastics classes over Zoom live calls, as well as having an online LMS (Learning Monitoring System) which my club had put in place during the shutdown to help kids continuously keep up with and practice their skills and activities at home.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are also very correct about the music! Just before COVID-19 made everything go into complete </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shut down, I managed to finish set up and make my studio in the back of my house (bless my amazing fiancée for being super patient and supportive of it!) I’m currently working on my first full-length album which has been something I put on hold for quite some time as I wanted to focus all of </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my attention to my last year of gymnastics in 2018 and to do more producing and song writing during 2019. I’m hoping to have it completed and released sometime this year or latest early 2021.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So to give people a bit of background to you in case they didn't know already, you were born in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Durban in South Africa. At what age did you come to Australia and what was that transition </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">like?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I moved to Melbourne on the 1st July 2005 with my parents and two siblings (older brother and younger sister), it was solely based on the fact that my parents had both been here and really liked the place. My mother also had family that lived in Perth and Melbourne, so we decided on Melbourne over Perth. I was 11 at the time and as you can imagine, it was already halfway through the school year which made it difficult for me to get a gauge on what the level the education was like (when I was in primary school here in Australia, the year 5 and 6 students were in the same class split up into different colour rooms). I was also starting to go through the early stages of puberty which made for a lot of emotional days missing the rest of my family and friends back in South Africa.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>To be honest, it took the rest of that year to transition into familiarising myself with the Australian culture and customs as well as the way things are done (or perceived) to most Australians about the rest of the world. As most people know, a lot of South Africans moved to Australia at the end of the apartheid to start new lives, but I was very surprised that most of my class members genuinely didn’t know about South Africa or thought I lived in a hut and had a lion as a pet. I also had a bit of fun with this and actually went along sometimes before saying “No, I lived in a house just like the one you live in.”<br /><br /></i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You had already started gymnastics back in Durban. What was starting in gymnastics here in Australia like for you? What kind of barriers did you find yourself navigating? What things came to you easier than others?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
was very lucky to be given a chance to do the entrance test for the then
Victorian Men’s Gymnastics High Performance Centre (HPC for short), three days
after arriving in the country. I arrived on the Friday night around 11pm and
was up and ready to check the gym out by 8:30 the next morning! I remember
walking through the entrance and seeing predominantly white male gymnasts with
the exception of 3 male gymnasts who were of colour (two were Asian and one was
mixed race/biracial). I knew this was going to be tricky in itself, as I didn’t
have someone who could relate to where I came from and the hardships that were
still happening within South Africa (the country of South Africa we know today
only came about in 1994 after the abolishment of apartheid, so
realistically it’s only a 26-year-old country where everyone was now treated as
equals). I think it took a good two weeks until I was comfortable enough to start
talking and say hi to my team mates when making my way to my locker or swapping
between the apparatus we were training on.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
think having the self-motivation and drive to push myself without being asked
what to do came easier to me than to some of my team mates. From a young age I
was taught that if you want something, you need to be willing to work hard for
it and not give up. This helped me through some really tough times and taught
me to also show my character and my worth through my actions, more than just
talking about it and nothing ever eventuates out of it. I also took pride in
being a gymnast and not just venturing off and doing a sport like athletics,
soccer or rugby which I could have excelled at. They just never felt
challenging enough for me and never gave me fulfilment like gymnastics did.</i><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by Russell Cheyne/Reuters/Globe and Mail 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Throughout
your gym career you really flourished on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGDJt6s5ow8&t=62s">vault </a>and on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQzLFjDGEmE">floor</a>, can you talk a
little about any experiences you had dealing with people's perceptions or
expectations of black athletes, in terms of beliefs around athletic power
and/or speed? Was there an expectation or an ideal that you felt that you had
to live up to in the gym on your specialty events, and how did that affect how
you trained or felt about yourself?<br />
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</b><i>Initially
in the early years as I started making national squads and teams to compete at
international meets, there was definitely a couple of times where I’d get the
occasional “But you’re black, you have so much power!” or, “This should be easy for you with the leg
strength you have.” I remember during a junior training camp at the AIS in 2009
or 2010, a few of us were having lunch and I said “I always worry each time I
do vault that if I don’t quite land properly, my left kneecap will break or
snap again”. (This was due to me originally splitting and re-breaking my left
kneecap back in 2006 and again in 2008.) One of my team mates said without
hesitation, “Look at the size of your legs compared to mine, must be all that
black power. You’ll be fine.” My response was, “but I’m human, just like you…”<br />
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I think as time went on I learnt that I can be a major factor for our team
results on floor and vault at a state and international level, as I had a very
clean and consistent Tsukahara 3/2 twist on vault and at least 3 different
floor routines varying in difficulty depending on what the situation was, and if
I needed to hit a clean set or bump up difficulty to catch another team. It was
tougher for me during my time as a specialist as I knew I would struggle to
find the difficulty on rings being more on the taller side of the gymnastics
world. I knew that if I could work on being more of a backup and focusing on
execution, I could also be a reliable choice for a solid consistent score.
Funny enough out of all the events </i></span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwTqzsXnnmk">my favourite was high bar</a></i><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, so even though
I’m known for my tumbling and vaulting, I’d always look forward to smashing out
a high bar routine and at some points in my career, it was my highest start
score of the 4 events that I did as a senior.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Right
now it feels like we are at a real 'turning point', with the Black Lives Matter
protests against police brutality and systemic racism in the US spreading wider
than ever, and starting to bring about major cultural reflection and change.
What have been some of your thoughts on seeing this activism and solidarity in
action?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
think over the last few weeks that the Black Lives Matter protests have been
happening, it’s really shown me just how little I know about the indigenous and
Torres Strait people of our country. I’ve been talking to a lot of my
Indigenous and Torres Strait friends about their stories, their culture and
their ancestors and heritage. I think it’s fantastic that we acknowledge the
lands of the tribes that lived on them, but as far as educating and informing
our youth, young adults and even our older generations about this amazing
history of the first people of Australia, unfortunately we are not doing nowhere
near enough! I think I only learnt about the ANZAC’s in high school from year 7
all the way through to year 12 during history and I understand its importance,
but we also need to discuss the other heavier things like “The stolen
generation” and how “Australia Day” is actually “Invasion Day”.</i></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />What conversations or changes do you hope it will spark here in Australia?</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>As
a person who has been an Australian citizen for over 13 years now, we shouldn’t
only accept and acknowledge the good things about our country, we also need to
accept and acknowledge the bad so that we can better ourselves and our people.
Also, it’s 2020! Why do black people in the USA still have to fight to be
treated equally or fear that it could be their last day alive when driving or
walking down the street because they fit the description of a person who robbed
someone or one of the most common excuses being “You look/looked threatening?! <b>We
are all human beings at the end of the day, <u>period.</u></b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>As they kept going on it changed from feeling beyond pissed to unappreciated, worthless and quite frankly, “What’s the point of continuing when I’m never going to be good enough in your eyes?”</b> </span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You
recently wrote some tweets sharing specific past experiences you had in the gym
where you felt your identity was singled out. You mentioned one incident where
<a href="https://twitter.com/Kentpieterse/status/1270582776777998337">a senior coach used a racially derogatory choice of words</a> to describe the way
that you were standing on the floor mat. </b></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How did you react to that at the time, and looking back now would you
have reacted any differently?</b></div>
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
remember initially feeling "beyond pissed", as this was a person who I thought
had my best interests and wanted to see me succeed and excel in our sport. As
they kept going on it changed from feeling beyond pissed to unappreciated,
worthless and quite frankly “what’s the point of continuing when I’m never
going to be good enough in your eyes?”</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZC68C8AqUt32P4YS_h7qhcro-5vNaKIGcrBYNtyXfy7EWCstlpeX_KFPK_E2117ZvXE15OTtapgTAkqfhFNUl9UJwmEdCnGFKNCp-i_rly-NQlaFHFVuGdMRcHG458c7ZpCnrP2JzFN7j/s1600/2020KPtweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="584" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZC68C8AqUt32P4YS_h7qhcro-5vNaKIGcrBYNtyXfy7EWCstlpeX_KFPK_E2117ZvXE15OTtapgTAkqfhFNUl9UJwmEdCnGFKNCp-i_rly-NQlaFHFVuGdMRcHG458c7ZpCnrP2JzFN7j/s320/2020KPtweet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did it change your relationship with that coach or the way that you viewed them?</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />My relationship and the way I viewed
that coach definitely changed after that conversatio</i>n.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>You
also talked about other coaches and teammates not really understanding, or
<a href="https://twitter.com/Kentpieterse/status/1270582778921287686">dismissing it</a>, when you raised the incident. What would you have liked to hear
at the time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />I
think this hurt even more to be honest. Knowing that some of my team mates and
coaches who I spent more time with than my own parents, siblings and friends
just said “ignore them” or “GET OVER IT”. I can’t tell you how many times I
heard those three words when trying to explain the importance of calling
someone out for being out of line and disrespectful to others but also when a
racist comment, a snarky comment about someone’s “manliness” or a homophobic
comment was thrown around with no consequences or repercussions at all. I felt
that they would never step up and help when I needed it the most and that’s not
just on the competition floor and at training, but just in life.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is some advice you would give to coaches or to teammates that have a gymnast raise an issue like this with them?</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>My
advice to coaches and my former team mates is, listen to your athletes and you
team mates, if they’re going through something and are asking you for help, be
there! It seems like a mighty big thing to do but if someone knows that you are
invested in them, I guarantee that it will be returned later on down the track.
To sum it up “treat people the way you want to be treated”</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You also claimed you were told by this same senior coach,
"You're nothing special, you're lucky you are even on the squad". How
was this different to the kind of feedback given to other members of the
national squad? </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
remember many incidents where a few of my team mates weren’t having the best
day and the coach would say “It’s alright, you will get it next time” or “Don’t
be so hard on yourself” whereas for myself and a few of my other team mates
there was always an urgency to nit-pick all the small things we did wrong. I
can promise you this, there was even a time where you would go into a trial for
a competition and at the start of the week you could pre-determine who was
going to be on the team. As long as they never injure themselves during that
time, you knew they would be going to that international meet</i>.</span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was the person called out for saying these things?</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><i><br />There were a
couple of times when this coach was called out for the feedback they gave, but
as far as what they said to me, I don’t think any discussion or being called
out on it occurred.</i></span></div>
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<b><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">[E]very time Prashanth and Chris go out there and represent our country, there is potentially a POC child watching them and saying “I want to be like him and do what he can do!” I say this because that’s what Prashanth was for me</span></i><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">.</span></i></b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br />Have
any other ex- or current Australian gymnasts expressed to you that they have
had similar experiences, and feel supported by your speaking out?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Yes,
they have. I think a lot of them just like me, didn’t know when was the right
time to speak out or say something about what was happening behind the scenes.
I guess it was this big play of “Hey everyone! We’re one great big family!” but
in reality, it was more “I’m going to stand here next to you and put on a fake
smile, even though you treat me like absolute s**t when these people or no one
is around.” You’d be surprised how many amazing and talented gymnasts left the
sport because of this and how many to this day, still feel the effects of those
moments that they had to endure, simply because no one knew.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of Australia's MAG international
medals and rankings over the years have been thanks to gymnasts who came from
non-white, non-European backgrounds, including Prashanth Sellathurai, Naoya Tsukahara and Chris
Remkes. Can you talk about what it means as an athlete to see diverse
representation within lineups?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />It's
so important! You have to remember that every time Prashanth and Chris go out
there and represent our country, there is potentially a POC child watching them
and saying “I want to be like him and do what he can do!” I say this because
that’s what Prashanth was for me as a junior gymnast and I know that’s what
Chris is for many junior and young gymnasts of today.</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40AzqA6PP8gKsIwimDa4g52vBtlzmVEj4kQDI6fCv2icAr5nBa8FtZe8WO7J62U9sQtlH-notLuMdZyslCnPJZ7FplZ9Q_g1ZBQnYGeylDdfuJj-xP-O5JHkevtm1qKGr7HQ_09TCx_Jq/s1600/2020KPandteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="594" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40AzqA6PP8gKsIwimDa4g52vBtlzmVEj4kQDI6fCv2icAr5nBa8FtZe8WO7J62U9sQtlH-notLuMdZyslCnPJZ7FplZ9Q_g1ZBQnYGeylDdfuJj-xP-O5JHkevtm1qKGr7HQ_09TCx_Jq/s320/2020KPandteam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kent (back left) and Naoya Tsukahara (foreground) and Australian team, 2014<br />
Image courtesy Instagram</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuhbgb7A8pmS8kGUC-2JcHRD8X9ibDYUm-bEF0ZhyM7NHNdLJ1mySpOqoKFboPMcBhqzQgfRm79Z7FuDek4TyG0pb47DiGlGP4lYkAXLiU8v6aqSs8rRP661-c5AEecAfUmuz5PkHi_E8/s1600/2020KPprashteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="940" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuhbgb7A8pmS8kGUC-2JcHRD8X9ibDYUm-bEF0ZhyM7NHNdLJ1mySpOqoKFboPMcBhqzQgfRm79Z7FuDek4TyG0pb47DiGlGP4lYkAXLiU8v6aqSs8rRP661-c5AEecAfUmuz5PkHi_E8/s320/2020KPprashteam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prashanth Sellathurai (second left) and Australian team, 2010<br />
Image courtesy ABC.net.au</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVamn-d6N5cjAnqOob5KdIsaVFHZDA9sCn6ztD9DD6jK1HXbwue5Wpk5RC8GmLrfRozU-Jk7B1JrBtEIhstdZnFsypBjj3jQcjmtlhjfisrsuLYyoI_bmLCYjoaxchD5UiHHO3OJ2fr2e/s1600/2020KPchristeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVamn-d6N5cjAnqOob5KdIsaVFHZDA9sCn6ztD9DD6jK1HXbwue5Wpk5RC8GmLrfRozU-Jk7B1JrBtEIhstdZnFsypBjj3jQcjmtlhjfisrsuLYyoI_bmLCYjoaxchD5UiHHO3OJ2fr2e/s320/2020KPchristeam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Remkes (far right) and Australian team, 2018<br />
Image courtesy Zimbio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /><br />Diversity helps us to
break the cycle and the mould of stereotypes!<br /><br />Imagine if we said this to every
person of the same race: “Oh, you’re Black so that must mean you play basketball and
want to go to the NBA.” or, “Oh, you’re Asian so that must mean you play table
tennis and want to go to the Olympics.” Firstly, that’s stereotyping and
low-key racism at its finest and secondly: is that all you know those races
for?! It’s like every time I (and I’m sure many other people of these races) have
to say back “You do know that we’re not all just really good at one thing,
right?”<br /><br />I think it’s important for people to see diversity as a normal thing
and shouldn’t be surprised if a team is made up of all races and not a
predominant one.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>As an Australian gymnast with South
African heritage, what did it mean to you to compete at a Commonwealth Games
(in 2014)? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Everything! Being on that competition floor I
knew I wasn’t just representing my country, I was representing my birth country
and heritage for both Australia and South Africa! To be able to say I went to
the Commonwealth Games and almost came home with a bronze medal on vault
against some of the world’s best vaulters… To even be mentioned in the same
sentence as them was insane to me! The craziest part was I originally wasn’t
even named on the team! For all my family, friends and all their friends back
home in South Africa and Australia, it gave them hope to keep working towards
their goals because if I could make it and achieve one of the goals I had set
out for myself, so could they. It gave me and everyone around me hope, hope to
keep working towards where you want to go.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk1SJ4PppvkrVCEgTn2JtgSkByHEuT7c0SPbEIG9bVMnl85fiUNaLXWcK2-46MmUqVlxvr67aE4NSlMoMdh9C0pBdQS0GrG3xKtMrtk764nKaqjQP8ttDmXIg6H1sR4rtLXMXWx1f9tJp/s1600/2020KPcwgbbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk1SJ4PppvkrVCEgTn2JtgSkByHEuT7c0SPbEIG9bVMnl85fiUNaLXWcK2-46MmUqVlxvr67aE4NSlMoMdh9C0pBdQS0GrG3xKtMrtk764nKaqjQP8ttDmXIg6H1sR4rtLXMXWx1f9tJp/s320/2020KPcwgbbc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Courtesy BBC Sports Scotland 2014</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A
lot of athletes and public figures lately have been sharing their stories
within the Black Lives Matter hashtag on social media. Are there any that have
really resonated with you, and why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
think John Orozco and I have quite similar stories in the sense that we
struggled to find where we fit in, but we were both two black guys who wanted
to do the best we could for our country but we were made to feel different
because of how we looked. Obviously, his story differs in some areas but I can
also relate to not feeling welcomed by my own heritage (being mixed
race/bi-racial and not knowing my Dutch and Belgium heritage). All in all, I
really did resonate most with his story.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What are some actions you think Gymnastics Australia as an organisation could
take (or should take) to meaningfully address racial inequality within
gymsports in Australia, and show commitment to supporting the wellbeing of POC?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
think having more representation and events revolving around and celebrating
how diverse our country is and how diversity is what makes Australia great!<br /><br />It
would be awesome to have more workshops or talks that involve our past POC
gymnasts and them talking about their experiences inside and outside the gym
and how it shaped them into the person they are today, as well as using local
businesses within the POC community to collaborate with to get more people
excited about how inclusive gymnastics is.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Finally, is there anything else that you would like to add?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I
just wanted to say thank you to everyone who supported me through my 13 years
as an Australian gymnast and for those who continue to support me during my
coaching and educational career. Gymnastics has given me so much and even
though not all of it was good, you learn to take the good and the bad, it’s the
same with life.<br /><br /> I wish all my team mates and anyone associated with gymnastics
in Australia the best both past, present and future and I hope we can all catch
up and have great times and memories together. <br /><br />A big thanks to you Meredith for
reaching out and also, I want people to go out and see the world (whenever
we’re allowed to do that again) and experience it for themselves, don’t have a
bias/swayed image or depiction about a place beforehand. Go and meet the
people, hear their stories, enrich yourself with their culture, heritage,
cuisine and places that they are proud of! <br /><br />And finally: <b>“Just be a good person”.</b> Uplift people, show love, empathy,
encouragement, positivity and most importantly support.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>If
people want to know more about my story and the ways that I am helping out the
POC community and our gymnasts currently in Victoria, please feel free to email
me at <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="mailto:kentpieterse1@gmail.com"><span lang="EN-AU"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">kentpieterse1@gmail.com</span></b></span></a></span> or on Twitter and
Instagram <b><span style="color: #0c343d;">@kentpieterse</span></b>. I’m always happy to catch up over a cup of coffee or
tea and see where I can possibly help.</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> ****************</span><br />
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<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-72132160430196769672017-05-31T21:41:00.003+10:002017-05-31T21:48:00.198+10:002017 Australian National (Artistic) Gymnastics ChampionshipsHey there!<br />
<br />
<i>Long time no see!</i><br />
<br />
I didn't even write up the Melbourne World Cup, how slack is THAT?! Admittedly it is saved in my drafts. Unfinished. I'm the worst.<br />
<br />
What ISN'T the worst is nationals, my favourite fortnight of the year.<br />
<br />
This year I attended the Friday night Sr and Jr MAG/WAG All-Around Final and day 2 of the apparatus finals. I was extremely excited to attend the first championships under the tenure of new national women's coach Mihai Brestyan, and the first after the dust had settled on a very successful world cup circuit campaign for various Aussies.<br />
<br />
I'm going to whip through some highlights and lowlights, as much as my tweets during the event and the livestreams (now on demand <a href="https://play.ovo.com.au/gymnastics/home">here</a>!) allow me to recall.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>HIGHLIGHTS:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
* Wednesday night's first round of major competition came in the wake of a horrific stadium concert terrorism incident in Manchester, UK. The world was still reeling from the barbaric incident that left innocent families without daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, siblings and treasured friends. I was very conscious of this going into the event. Very aware that the majority of the spectators around me were young females and their parents, just out to have a nice time and enjoy a spectacle. I shed my tears in the day prior and gave a quiet thanks as I walked up to Hisense Arena for the emergency services personnel, security staff, Melbourne Olympic Park team and other officials there to ensure we were all kept safe and reassured.<br />
<br />
* Despite beloved announcer Ade hanging up his headphones after so many years, despite Peggy Liddick stepping down after 20 years at the helm, despite the absence of trailblazing superstar Lauren Mitchell, despite reports of injuries and time away for WAG favourites Emma Nedov, Larrissa Miller, Emily Whitehead, Mez Monckton, Yasmin Collier, Paige James, Kiara Munteanu, and yes even despite the events in Manchester, the mood throughout the meet was upbeat and celebratory.<br />
<br />
* In the recent GA strengths and weaknesses review, one recommendation by the consultancy firm was that the head coach should be on the floor less at major meets. That they should take the example of Marta Karolyi and do their work in training then sit in the stands for the event, not working on the floor. Throughout the meet I noticed Mihai doing just this. While I can't vouch for prelims Wednesday, on the Friday AA final he was in the stands the entire time observing, speaking over the barrier on a couple of occasions to Liddick or individual coaches. During Sunday's senior beam and floor finals he had a small table set up on the small concourse section beside the warmup gym (close to the springboard end of beam) with a start list, AA results list and pen. He chatted to various coaches and officials, and after the event I saw him again speaking with the likes of Jeb, John, Ross B and Peggy. My heart melted during senior beam warmup as Nikolai Lapchine passed the table and gave Mihai a hearty salute with a big grin. Everyone was excited for him to be there and he was constantly checked on, constantly introduced to new people with warm voices, constantly smiled at. He never seemed to pout or frown or sigh or get cross. He just made his notes. At one point, former Olympian Georgia Bonora passed by and I heard him cheerily call out, "Oh hi! Hi! I have to say I barely recognise you without your hair up!"<br />
<br />
* There was no Amanar to be seen but Emily Little still brought a vaulting masterclass to the arena every night that she competed. Also impressive was reigning all-around champ Rianna Mizzen upgrading to a double herself. Both performed beautifully and would be an asset to any team lineup.<br />
<br />
* Speaking of masterclasses - not enough people talk about Chris Remkes like he's the heir to Kenzo or Hypolito. Mark my words people, HE IS. A double double as a side pass?! A double arabian as a side pass?! That triple double layout are you *kidding me*?! Quickhitting his routines took multiple tweets and always involves more than on exclamation point. Also his Dragulescu is so scary good it basically violates my human rights.<br />
<br />
* If Mizzen and Little are our vault 1-2 punch, then for high bar it has to be Tyson Bull and Mitchell Morgans. Those guys deserve epic, epic Zonderland points for the <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/868695302726746113">trickery</a> they each busted out. Casual Cassinas like it's no big thing.<br />
<br />
* If you loved dynamic 'smallfreckly' Amber Fulljames in 2008 or UCLA's Macy Toronjo in 2017 then you will loooooooooooooooooooooove Jemimah Lam from Victoria. What a gem. She has an eye-catching <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/868048730343096321">walkover mount on beam</a> reminiscent of Hollie Dykes, and engaging choreo on floor. I loved every time she stepped up to the plate.<br />
<br />
* Cassidy Ercole, who knew you could <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/868047294175760385">piked full-in on floor</a> like that?! NSW brought some great surprises this week, including Sopie Stuart's back layout stepout to immediate whip. So cool.<br />
<br />
* Georgia-Rose Brown had the all-around meet(s) of her entire life. Oh my god. While she still lacks in some respects in the difficulty stakes, she was more consistent than she has ever been across the whole week, and she has cleaned up a whole lot on bars. Her choreography just makes you swoon whether it's a lengthy series on floor or small flourishes on beam. Head to toe it's lovely.<br />
<br />
* Same goes for Emily Little, I am thrilled she finally got her national gold. It was so deserved after so long languishing in the runner-up positions.<br />
<br />
* Waverley kept the spirit of Larrissa Miller alive with a gorgeous bars set from finals medallist Kate McDonald - the height on her tkatchev <a href="https://twitter.com/AussieBecka/status/868420021193547776">is ridiculous</a> - and a dynamic floor from Jade Vella-Wright. I can't get enough of that girl's whip to double tuck on floor. They also solid performances from junior Romi Brown. I was hoping for Jade to have done slightly better in the all-around final, ditto her clubmate Talia Folino, but alas her major hardware came on the final night of competition.<br />
<br />
* Pommel is........ pommel. And blah. And I pretty much saw none of it. Sorry.<br />
<br />
* I was so, so thrilled to see Michael Merceica back after knowing he was injured in this very arena one year ago on parallel bars and it withdrew him from Olympic reserve contention. He had a decent week.<br />
<br />
* Favourite new MAG for reasons other than skills was Gabe O'Sullivan from WA. I nicknamed him "Wavey Gabey" he always had a big smile and lengthy waves for the crowd after his routines, especially any time he nailed his triple twist on floor.<br />
<br />
* Cause of my death: The combined sass and commitment to unique choreo of Victorian girls Alex Eade, Elly Bayes and <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/868053540194836480">Eadie Rawson</a>. Their eye contact and diva-esque struts on and off the mat alone are worth the price of admission.<br />
<br />
* Congrats to the new graduate from the Olivia Vivian School of Coming Back to Elite Competition During/After College Gymnastics and Kicking Total Butt Like They Never Left: Tyson Bull!<br />
<br />
* Secondary cause of my death: Seeing the white 2008 Olympic Test Event leo that Dasha Joura wore on a bunch of Vic juniors in the vault final and then lo and behold DASHA HERSELF WAS ON HAND AN HOUR LATER TO HAND OUT THE WAG MEDALS.<br />
<br />
* On of the men had a triple back on high bar but sat it down during the AA, unfortunately I did not catch who it was. It was really cool.<br />
<br />
* Next year's Commonwealth Games will be on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Definitely expect seniors Mizzen and Georgia Godwin, and exciting juniors Kate Sayer and Isla Ross to factor into the mix. Sayer had some tremendous vaults and Ross was a delight to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/868698299842215936">on bars </a>after having a great 2016 nationals too.<br />
<br />
* Double layouts on show from: Little, Godwin, <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/868043127227011072">Alex Eade</a>. Please never ever stop doing these. I bet Mihai likes you the best. You get big air, and you get big air, and you get big air...<br />
<br />
* Kent Pieterse is BACK, baby! And so is his fab hairdo.<br />
<br />
* Larrissa Miller confirmed in sideline interview that she will be returning to the gym within the next month, and we are so excited to have her back!<br />
<br />
* Triple acro series on beam from: Erin Modaro, Talia Folino, Rianna Mizzen, and I did not realise until some time later, lovely little Miss <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjr-RYZVnCo">Elena Chipizubov</a>. When they were on, they were really on!<br />
<br />
* Allana Slater led a brief tribute to Peggy Liddick, including shoutouts to her achievements with the WAG program and those infamous distraction tapes. Truly Allana is a fine ambassador for this sport.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>LOWLIGHTS</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Oh boy. There was some tough stuff.<br />
<br />
* The new announcer was the worst I've ever experienced at a meet. No offence, GA. I know you had big shoes to fill. But it was abundantly clear this woman was either working from a script without glasses, or working with a script she was given 2 minutes before the meet. Constant mispronunciations (even during Luke Wiwatowski's retirement presentation. THREE TIMES.), stumbles over announcements, incorrect apparatus introduced... I was pretty embarrassed for her, as were people who tuned in on the livestream. I know it is not an easy job by any stretch but it honestly sounded like this woman had not even rehearsed from a mock running sheet.<br />
<br />
* Emily Little took a very bad floor fall on day 2 of apparatus finals. I captured it on video at the time but since delete my tweet of it out of respect. Although Em performed a great double layout all week she had warmed it up Sunday night with a full twist, a tumble we haven't seen her do at a major meet since last nationals. The warmup looked superb, but in the routine I guess she got a bit lost in the air and crashed down badly, at first I thought she had just dinged her forearms as she seemed to hit the floor still twisting, then I grew deeply concerned for her head and neck as she stayed down for a while. Thankfully she<a href="https://twitter.com/emilylittle94/status/868733396029067264"> tweeted later</a> after a medical checkup that was mainly just store, which was a hugely relief. I hope she isn't permanently put off trying the skill again in future.<br />
<br />
* Withdrawing due to injury altogether after night 1 of all-around was Georgia Godwin, a hot favourite to reach the dais after a good first day of competition that saw her in second place overall. She later confirmed it was a hamstring strain. Get well soon, GG!<br />
<br />
* A few competitors seemed quite banged up, mostly strapped ankles but a fair few strapped toes! There was a bruise on Rianna's leg that you couldn't take your eye off.<br />
<br />
* The men seemed to struggle with adjusting to the floor mat. A LOT. Very few floor routines went through unscathed. More podium meets during the year means more practise!<br />
<br />
* Sean O'Hara <a href="https://twitter.com/GymAustralia/status/868730010672037888">retired</a>! :'(<br />
<br />
* Rianna Mizzen had a very tough few nights of competition but did come back to finally scoop the bars title. She had missed her Hindorff release every other night so to hit it at last in the final was sweet redemption. Not so sweet was her beam, which gets serious execution deductions in the first place for her triple acro series (daring though it is), in beam final she counted two falls if I recall, and said acro series was way too close to the end of the beam. She was lucky not to go flying off.<br />
<br />
* A lot of scores in the sub-10 range. Loooooota scores. Owch.<br />
<br />
* The ninth circle of hell is nothing but wolf turns. Every day. On a loop. Set to Zorba music.<br />
<br />
* No real exciting WAG vaults aside from the two Yurchenko doubles so the future does not look hugely bright on that front just yet. Junior 15 (I think) vault final had two gymnasts in it.<br />
<br />
<br />
So there are some fixer-uppers. No doubt. In some areas I saw consistency we had not really seen before, in others I saw more tweaking needing to be done. Mihai himself says it won't happen overnight.<br />
<br />
Overall with WAG I think the vibe on the floor was less tense with no Liddick (she was assisting NCE Victoria girls), yet more focussed and individual - everyone seems to work more comfortably when they come down off the podium and see their personal coach there, not the intimidating spectre of the national head coach. I had never witnessed "angrybeam" redemption quite like Emily on her all-around night. Girl has laser beam eyes you could see from the back rows of the arena. And with MAG? I definitely think that the men have been buoyed by recent world cup successes and the profile of their sport being lifted a bit. Some of the biggest cheers of the competition came for well performed vaults and high bar routines. They are all always so positive for each other.<br />
<br />
I think the healing has begun (slowly) and everyone is coming together a bit better. GA was thrown into harsh spotlight with the consultancy review, humbled no doubt, but if a more upbeat vibe was one anticipated outcome then I hope they keep implementing the right moves to keep the good times rolling.<br />
<br />
Full results are <a href="http://ausgymnasticschamps.com.au/results/">here</a> and once again here is the OVO <a href="https://play.ovo.com.au/gymnastics/home">livestream coverage</a> that is on demand for artistic and currently streaming for rhythmic, acro and T&T.<br />
<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-42729986510735293412016-07-12T23:01:00.004+10:002016-07-12T23:12:25.378+10:00How The West Was LostThe Hon. Mia Davies MLA BMM<br />
Minister for Sport and Recreation<br />
Western Australia<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Minister and Department Members,<br />
<br />
Dear you, Reader,<br />
<br />
Dear Friends and Families,<br />
<br />
<br />
This afternoon it was unexpectedly announced that the women's artistic gymnastics program at the West Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) is to be closed down on December 31st, not long after the excitement and fervour of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.<br />
<br />
It is with great urging that I ask you to reconsider this action. Not just for my own interests as a longtime spectator and social media contributor to the sport, but for the wellbeing of the families and athletes who have spent years working with the program.<br />
<br />
I wish that I could say that, in my capacity as the above, there was something remarkable about me. I wish I could say I inspired the kinds of hopes, dreams and excitement these athletes do. But I don't, I strive to elevate those that do.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you were not all fully aware of the utter 'remarkableness' of this program.<br />
<br />
WAIS Gymnastics is not only a significant program in the scheme of Australia's gymnastics operations, it is the premier program. Thanks to WAIS, Australia can boast a female World Championship gold and silver medallist, (the nation's first), 9 Olympians, a multitude of Commonwealth Games gold medals, FIG World Cup gold and silver medals, and a national championship results board that sags under its own weight. To put it bluntly - much of Australia's rise on the world stage in gymnastics between 1991 and 2014 is thanks to the environment and consistency fostered at WAIS.<br />
<br />
There was something remarkable about Sarah Lauren, one of Australia's youngest ever gold medallists at a Commonwealth Games in 2002. There was something remarkable about Daria Joura, the Russian-Australian Olympian who in early 2008 received a floor routine score that topped the rest of the world. There was something remarkable about Allana Slater, an upstart redhead the world met in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur and watched lead Australia to a consecutive Commonwealth team gold in Manchester 2002. And truly there is something remarkable about Lauren Mitchell, our first women's world champion and a dual Olympian who graciously credits her success to her WAIS Gymnastics' renowned coaches and specialists. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, since 2011, Australia's international results are not completely what they have been in the past. The road to Rio has been paved with hard work, unpleasant decisions, nailbiting performances and the absolute best of intentions. Stalwart performer Mitchell has suffered a number of injuries that have hampered her world-class contributions to the team. Injuries have also niggled at our recent national champions Georgia Godwin and Rianna Mizzen, while Rio Olympics alternate Emily Little (who calls WAIS home) has herself fought valiantly in the green and gold despite minor injuries and a brief break from competing.<br />
After the women's team performed shakily at the London Olympics, the funding and coaching structure within gymnastics (like other sports under the ASC's review) was under heavy scrutiny in an attempt to right the ship. National head coach Peggy Liddick acknowledged that improvement would not happen overnight, and after serious review and restructure of the national high performance KPIs decided to send no representatives to the 2013 World Championships, an unprecedented move. Australia had qualified a berth on its own merits, but all gymnasts were to stay at home with the intent to improve difficulty and consistency across the national program. Although lamentable, as several eligible athletes were fit enough to compete, the decision was upheld. The strategy paid off in a top-8 team finish one year later in China, even without anchor Mitchell, and an individual apparatus final placing for Victoria's Larrissa Miller. But the relief was short-lived after further nerves and injuries set in before 2015 World Championships, and a team finish outside the top 10 saw Australia face its toughest challenge yet leading into the Olympics. There would be one last opportunity to qualify a full team berth to Rio: Finish 4th or higher at the Rio Test Event in six months' time or settle for qualifying just one individual. To the dismay of fans, the Australian women (led by Emily Little) again did not finish as high as hoped at the event, and would see only one of them selected to compete at the Games.<br />
<br />
And that is where we are today: only one Australian gymnast will compete in 3 weeks in Rio. It is not a WAIS gymnast, but it is a gymnast that justly earned her selection, and counts WAIS' competitors as her friends. Her compatriots. Her sisters. We warmly congratulate Larrissa Miller on her deserved selection. WAIS will proudly field the reserve role in Emily Little, who last week did not let disappointment distract her and won the vault event at a competition in the Netherlands, and finished 5th on the event in Portugal. These two Australians are great inspirations for young athletes everywhere, as are so many of WAIS' past and present competitors.<br />
<br />
In short, WAIS Gymnastics is worth much more to Australia than the loss of it would be. It is greatly distressing to read that parents and athletes, and even Gymnastics Australia officials, were not given prior warning of this decision. We respectfully ask that you do not extinguish a fire that ignited in 1998 with a maiden Commonwealth Games team gold medal, and the Perth gymnast who became the trailblazer for so many. Gymnastics Australia President Jacqui Briggs-Weatherill said of the news, "This sends the message 'Your aspirations aren't important'." and it is heartbreaking to have to think of the situation like this. It would be extremely difficult for the 60 gymnasts of the program to transition to other locations to continue training, or other sports programs altogether. The 2016 National Championships in Melbourne allowed WAIS gymnasts to show tremendous promise and potential, in both junior and senior fields. There is so, so much more to come from this program in the lead-up to Commonwealth Games 2018 and Tokyo 2020. <br />
<br />
Please reconsider the move to close down the WAIS Gymnastics program.<br />
<br />
My sincere thanks for your time.<br />
<br />
<br />
Meredith<br />
<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-72592496559126613742016-05-31T22:50:00.001+10:002016-05-31T22:50:55.089+10:00National Championships 2016: Apparatus FinalsThe last Saturday and Sunday in May are always a bit chilly in Melbourne, but the skills and confidence on show at Hisense Arena in the apparatus finals were hotter than a jalapeno hula skirt!<br />
<br />
<b>VAULT:</b><br />
<br />
No surprises here, with Chris Remkes and Emily Little taking the golds in their respective senior fields. Remkes was one of only 3 men's competitors, so it was a question of <i>what colour</i> medal he would be taking home if he successfully stood up his vaults. The shy 145cm-tall South Australian repeated his recently acclaimed World Cup form, standing up <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736771936441634816">a daring Dragulescu</a> and a Tsukahara 2.5 twist for 14.862 to take the top spot over national AA champ Luke Wadsworth and WA's Jake Thompson (neither of whom could match Remkes in the difficulty stakes).<br />
<br />
Like Remkes, Little was also unmatched for difficulty in the final. We are extremely excited to hear Em has a Tsukahara 1.5 twist and an Amanar <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvwyqv9AV8k">in training</a>, though neither was on display this weekend. No stick on the Baitova but a nifty stick on the tsuk. Her 15.012 was one of the highest women's scores of the weekend and I've no doubt the teased higher difficulty will keep that 15 streak going. Next in difficulty though not in ranking was Yasmin Collier whose highlight was a decent Yurchenko 1.5 twist, she had to settle for 4th place. In second was Kiara Munteanu, who did not vault a Yurchenko 1.5 while third placegetter Naomi Lee (13.612) did, though sitting down her 1/2 on double pike off secured Munteanu's medal. Sometimes it's all a matter of execution. While the rest of the field was admittedly little flat, we do know the senior women's field has doubles waiting in the wings from Godwin, Mizzen and an absent Monckton.<br />
Execution and difficulty on the junior women's side left a lot to be desired, but rising star from Jesolo last year Talia Folino proved victorious again after her Junior All-Around win, as one of only 2 gymnasts with a 5.0 difficulty vault in this final.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>BARS:</b><br />
<br />
Oh, the agony and the ecstasy.<br />
<br />
The 2016 bars title was, as I grandiosely stated after the all-around final, Larrissa Miller's to lose. And in an unexpected finals turn (a Maroney Moment if you will), she did.<br />
<br />
Miller was completely stunning in her stalder and pirouette work, catching every release smoothly though appearing to clip her feet ever so slightly in her in-bar geinger. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss8-gAfED-k">And then it all fell apart</a>. Back on the high bar and seconds away from clinching another podium finish, Larrissa lost momentum in a full pirouette and came off. Unfortunately she was not able to fully brush the mistake off, and repeated the error almost immediately. Back on the ground she seemed extremely distressed and keen to finish up, which she eventually did again - finishing the skill on the third attempt and landing with her trademark stuck full twist dismount. It was devastating to watch unfold and to see her ranked last, but Larrissa is a fighter and we knew she'd come back strongly in the floor final. The medal dais was not to be Waverley-less, as first year senior Emily Whitehead (competing on her only apparatus of these championships due to injury recovery) snatched silver with a competent routine that featured a Markelov and shap half for 13.775.<br />
<br />
Already crowned national all-around champion, Rianna Mizzen backed up last year's first bars place finish with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmSY9Ma-mlw">another stellar routine</a> (capped off with a stuck dismount) that brought her the gold. Like fellow finallist Queenslander Georgia Godwin, Rianna shows fantastic toe-on and Weiler work, and her tkatchev into pak is beautifully controlled. Her difficulty (5.8) is just below Miller but enough to top the field. Godwin herself managed the bronze with a routine that admittedly lacked some of the calm control she shows on beam and floor, and finished with a mere double pike dismount. Another routine that will surely get more daring with time.<br />
<br />
In junior uneven bars it was again a Waverley dais double act with Talia Folino and Jade Vella-Wright taking gold and bronze respectively (12.150, 11.100). Another final that showed a few cracks in the pre-senior tier (only silver medallist Lily Gresele had an execution score above 7), Folino's 5.2 difficulty is helped by a corker of a straddled jaeger. She like several others in the final showed just a double pike dismount but she has so much stamina I am certain it will be a double layout, or better, extremely soon. I am told they didn't show Junior Bars on the livestream so courtesy of my phone and twitter here are....<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736785475822747648">Lily Gresele </a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736786822299148288">Talia Folino</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736787382750449664">Cassidy Ercole</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736787984016515073">Eadie Rawson</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736786297025486849">Elly Bayes</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Parallel bars and high bar were yet another Luke W battle, with Wadsworth taking out the former and Wiwatoski finally breaking his silver streak in winning the latter on the final day. Both fought hard these championships that has seen many succumb to fatigue. Each one's double pike dismount off pbars sent their clubmates into loud frenzy each round of this competition and this final was no exception. While Wiwatowski has the difficulty edge by two tenths, it was Wadsworth who pipped him with better execution to nab a 14.200. On high bar, "Wiwa" was the only gymnast to show <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736801978634756096">a noteworthy release</a> in the gravity-defying Kolmann he'd missed nights earlier in the all-around, and a thrilling double-double dismount. The gold this time was unquestionably his. Scott Brooks? <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736798891559944194">Not so lucky!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>RINGS:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I watched this one from home on livestream, and once again it was a Luke W 1-2. Both have a 5.5 difficulty, both showed a tucked 1.5 dismount... you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a gymnastics Parent Trap! But once again, Wadsworth's execution notched him again of Wiwatowski for a golden 14.375. Chris Remkes had the highest difficulty of everyone with 5.9 but could not translate it into a medal-worthy performance. Bronze went to ACT's Adam Falzarono, a serial apparatus finallist this year. I was thrilled to see the return of South Australia's Clay Stephens, usually a vault powerhouse but like Em Whitehead only competing the one event this year. Unlike Whitehead he was unable to squeak into the medals and settled for 4th place.<br />
<br />
<b>POMMEL: </b><br />
<br />
Again, not the funnest event to sit through. Pocket rocket Remkes was one of several to suffer falls and bobbles, the most entertaining being Wiwatowski's front somersault off the side of the horse after a hand slip. Sorry, Luke, acrobatic bonus doesn't work on this event! This was another event that went to Wadsworth, the last man standing.<br />
<br />
<b>BEAM: </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The senior women's event was one of 2 'blue ribbon' finals on day 2. Unfortunately all-around champion Rianna Mizzen was withdrawn from this final (I had so looked forward to her layout stepouts again) and replaced by Georgia Godwin. Despite a fall from first up gymnast Yasmin Collier (who still drilled her own layout stepout sequence and made my heart flutter), each performance was close to or better than the one before it. Every single gymnast hit the routine of her life, it was so wonderful to see. Georgia-Rose Brown had one of her most confident showings yet, fully extending in her leaps and back handsprings, I am certain the meet photographers got some gorgeous shots. Godwin, too, showed <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736781745056415744">the beam prowess</a> that had brought her national championship placings over the years. More crisp wolf spins, and a solid BHS-back layout. However, Georgia brought me the second of two heart attacks this final with her extreeeeeemely close to the end of the beam side aerial sequence - the first was Alex Eade taking a very long pause before her dismount, leading me to think she'd suffered a total mental blank.<br />
Controversially, gorgeous beam queen Emma Nedov was awarded just 13.8 for a routine that, even without the additional layout stepout from the all-around, was hit tremendously. So great to see her make her <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736779510780022784">bhs-flic-layout sequence with confidence</a>, and have no significant issue on her double pike dismount. She did protest the low score but the 13.8 was upheld. The only error I could see was in one of her pirouettes, though I am sure code experts have a lot to say on the matter! She was bested only fractionally by Emily, who was <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736780447473008640">skittish but stayed on</a> to take silver. Personally I think the result should have been swapped, but I guess you can't have them all.<br />
<br />
The highlight of this rotation was the return of Lauren Mitchell to her first major meet final since the knee injury that kept her out of worlds last year. Nobody seemed to mind that Loz was accidentally introduced as "Lauren Miller". She showed much more poise than on night 1, successfully landing her two-foot layout sequence and two(!) wolf pirouettes. She took just one step on her double tuck dismount, clocking up all of her 6.2 difficulty to win the day on 14.025<br />
<br />
I finally spotted Peggy Liddick on the sidelines as beam finished up and floor got started. I am sure the performances this rotation made her selection job even harder!<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I didn't catch junior beam, but Waverley were victorious again - this time Jade Vella-Wright took the top spot on 13.255 over Shannon Farrell of NSW (a powerful vaulter), with golden girl Talia Folino settling for the bronze.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>FLOOR: </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Once again, Chris Remkes proved that when he's on he's <i>really</i> on. Overcoming the hiccups from all-around night, Chris stood up a high-flying triple twisting double layout (it's a mouthful!) albeit with a step out of bounds, to a roar from the crowd. He backed it up with a double front pike, an arabian as a side pass and a triple twist for 14.450. He squeezed every ounce of of his 6.4 difficulty value but copped a fair whack in execution deductions. Jake Houtby of Queensland boasted a close 6.1 but numerous large falls on piked tumbled and a 3.350(!) execution dropped him to last place.<br />
Wiwatowski got the better of Wadsworth (before high bar of course!) with the silver medal on just .025 behind Remkes. He showed really tidy arabian work and a nice 2.5 twist closing pass.<br />
<br />
Junior women's floor was starting to leave me a little uninspired until young Miss Eadie Rawson hit the mat. She only managed bronze, but her audience engagement and choreography (even simply walking on and off the floor) was utterly golden, a real junior Joura. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqdPPwhGDNc">Here she is</a> at the recent Australian Classic, it truly is something special. Another Lisa Bradley masterpiece! Fresh off her beam win, Jade "Vee Dubs" took gold here on 13.525, a lovely whip to double tuck made everyone sit up and take notice. Talia Folino won silver and showed fantastic potential with a tucked tsukahara, high double tuck and a double pike almost cleanly stuck (5.2/13.225). This was quite the meet for her.<br />
<br />
Senior women's floor was the most electrifying final of the weekend, not least of all because of Mitchell's return to the event that delivered her 2010 World Championship gold. It was a killer lineup (minus the national champion), with Rio Test team members, the previous year's all-around champion, and exciting young upstarts. Kicking us off again was Yasmin Collier who showed lovely choreography and combination passes, but the fireworks were yet to come.<br />
With teammates and coaches roaring like crazy in the corner once more (think a college team during the final rotation of a Super Six!), Emily Little blew the roof off with a full twisting double layout, a tiny little bit piked down but a vast improvement on her outright piked full-in. Phenomenal. She followed this with her usual strong Tsukahara and double tuck and pike for a straight 14.0<br />
<br />
Alex Eade kept the exciting vibe going with an almost-stuck double layout, the only one of the women's competiton (so to speak... aside from Emily!) and nice tsukahara. I am so thrilled Alex has stuck around, she has really blossomed as a senior. I am glad to hear other people got Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs vibes from her choreography and expressions, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VQl_qlQ8Bw">her routine is a blast</a>. Georgia Godwin, too, stood up her <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/736795821400723458">tricky double front</a> opening pass and stuck her double tuck, but it was only good enough for 6th. I still stand by my statement that her wolf turns are so great she would excel at figure skating!<br />
<br />
Lauren Mitchell had been waiting a year for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztjntqAfy2k">this moment.</a> After two other days of up and down competition, she found herself back at the top of the favourites list in a final against the nation's very best. It was hard not to let out a cheer as she stuck cold her piked full in (not connected to any jump) and successfully stood up her double arabian (welcome back!) and double pike. It was masterful, and if her knee is still experiencing discomfort she certainly didn't show it.<br />
<br />
The gold medal went to a tenacious Larrissa Miller. As hoped, she bounced back like a trooper from her bars final errors the night before. Miller later admitted that prior to starting the routine she was a little teary from feeling so exhausted (emotionally as well as physically, I am sure). How admirable to see her put it aside and hit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jF4iIvuOkk">one of her best routines ever.</a> I will never tire of that beautiful front lay to double front, even some international fans tuning into the livestream remarked on it. She took a step out of bounds in her combination pass but the rest was so sublime it kept her at the top of the rankings. The crowd's reception of it put me in mind of a ballet diva taking her final bow. If that was an emotional, tired, self-doubting Miller.... fear her when she's having a good day, is all I will say.<br />
<br />
And that was that.<br />
<br />
Winners crowned, losers frowned, and artistic gymnastics waved goodbye to Hisense Arena for 2016. Full results and more media can be found at <b>ausgymnasticschamps.com.au</b><br />
<br />
Gymnastics Australia report that we will officially find out our Rio Olympics artistic representative at the conclusion of the championships (tumbling, tramp, and rhythmic take place this second week). Here is <a href="https://twitter.com/ozgymblog/status/737083733359001600">one of my tweets</a> stating the case for my preferred selection - the tweets after it in my timeline give a bit more context. But as this week proved: the game can go anyone's way on the day.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining me!<br />
<br />
<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-70139772425891512872016-05-28T14:33:00.000+10:002016-05-28T14:33:08.044+10:00National Championships 2016: Senior Men's & Women's All-AroundChristmas comes but once a year.<br />
<br />
Twice, if you're an Australian gymnastics enthusiast.<br />
<br />
<br />
Friday May 27th saw the first finals night of Senior men and women's artistic gymnastics competition at the 2016 Australian National Gymnastics <a href="http://ausgymnasticschamps.com.au/">Championships</a>. Teams battled it out for glory, while individual seniors looked to improve on Wednesday's preliminaries and walk away with the individual all-around title.<br />
<br />
Australia is in a tough position this year, qualifying neither a full men's nor a full women's team to the Rio Olympic Games. While this fact hangs over Hisense Arena a little like the creeping Melbourne fog outside, it does not diminish the importance of the event to those athletes seeking valuable podium experience - especially the one female gymnast to be selected as our sole Olympic representative.<br />
<br />
The arena this year is resplendent in blue and red, with a proud 'jumbotron' at its centre. It seems all the stops have been pulled out and the atmosphere is more engaging than ever. We had dance-cam and Snapchat filters, post-competition fan photo opportunities and wonderful energy throughout the night. And in lieu of a Gymnastics Australia representative entertaining the crowd before and during competition, we welcome to our humble sidelines the one and only James Sherry, TV presenter and football roving reporter extraordinaire. Sherry was incredibly impressive for someone completely new to gymnastics. He shared delightful moments with gymparents, junior gymmers, and even past and present competitors. Sherry was warm and inquisitive with his guests of all ages, and displayed genuine admiration for the skills on show down on the floor. Having him at this event is a masterstroke - I nicknamed this competition the Sherry With A Twist. ;)<br />
<br />
Missing from the championships this year is fan favourite Maryanne Monckton, while junior upstart Emily Whitehead only competed uneven bars. The biggest buzzes were around returned powerhouses Lauren Mitchell and Georgia Godwin (the latter looking to 3-peat), while some new faces set to surprise.<br />
<br />
On the men's side, it was to be an exciting battle for who would step out of the shadow of recently retired Naoya Tsukahara, though missing in action were 2015 crowd-pleasers Clay Stephens and Mitchell Morgans. I was amused to see a competition field with multiple Jakes and Jacks, a Jay, a Joel, two Joshes and a Jordan!<br />
<br />
A big shout out to FullGymnastics for uploading <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/FullGymnastics/videos">videos from the livestream. </a><br />
<br />
So to the competition proper:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>VAULT:</b><br />
Two absolute standouts here: Emily Little (WA) for the women, and Christopher Remkes (SA) for the men. Both were in medal form on the apparatus recently, with Little reaching the podium at the Olympic test event and Remkes winning a maiden world cup medal in Doha. Both are explosive and, in training videos, show potential for even more difficulty to be added. They were superb in prelims and even better tonight. Of note is Little's Yurchenko double twist (15.1 total), currently the hardest vault being performed in the women's national program. Little had a slight shuffle backwards on landing that even appears to be hinting at a quarter turn, a clear sign she could be our own McKayla Maroney and make the fabled 2.5 twist vault on home soil. I have heard very strong rumours we could see it as early as Saturday's vault final. She currently tops the standings with this vault.<br />
<br />
The next hardest vaults came from unassuming performers Yasmin Collier and Naomi Lee. Lee (ACT) is a great leg gymnast, impressing us later on floor. with big tumbles. Emily's Rio test teammate Rianna Mizzen, usually a bars specialist, is still overcoming injury and was not able to show the Yurchenko double she herself has recently mastered. Rianna went with a simpler full twist as her first vault but a stellar execution score on this and her second vault (9.4 and 9.35!) assured she would stay near the top of the rankings. Teammate Georgia Godwin, also capable of a Yurchenko double, also stayed safe with a full. Australia has a number of female gymnasts with obvious leg power who could in the months and years to come be impressive vault gymnasts in the vein of Little. Things are going in the right direction with the foundations being put in place now at camps - Mizzen, Monckton and Leydin got their harder vaults in fairly short time given the high pressure circumstances of the last 12-18 months - but it comes a little too late for the Class of 2016.<br />
<br />
My knowledge of men's vaults is rather lacking, but there was no denying the stellar effort of Remkes. A huge (and rare) Dragulescu vault landed to his feet wowed the crowd, the sometimes shaky Southstrayan was consistent across the two 6.0 difficulty vaults to rocket up the standings. Sadly he couldn't translate this consistency over to floor. Crowd favourite Scott Brooks (VIC) also showed off a nifty near-stick for 14.766, one of his better scores of the night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>BARS:</b><br />
My thoughts with Michael Merceica, who going into this week was 2nd individual reserve for Rio off the back of his performance at the recent test event. Michael was injured mid-parallel bar routine in the qualifying round, landing awkwardly on his hand during a transition and having to be assisted off. He confirmed on Thursday that it was a dislocation, with fractured metacarpal. Michael also stated he was officially having to withdraw from the championships, we wish him the best for a speedy recovery. The highlight of this apparatus in qualifying and the final was the Victorian one-two punch of Luke Wiwatowski and Luke Wadsworth who hit their routines (capped off with neat double pike dismounts) very nicely, sending the home crowd sitting right in front of the apparatus into an absolute frenzy.<br />
<br />
I pretty much missed all of high bar unfortunately! I'll be interested to see who this year can out-wow the crowd in the apparatus final given impressive performances in the past by rockstars Tyson Bull and Mitchell Morgans who are absent this year.<br />
<br />
On uneven bars, this year it is transplanted Queenslander Larrissa Miller's title to lose. Veteran bars star Olivia Vivian snaps at her heels in most domestic meets but a freak mistiming error on her double front dismount on Wednesday, and a crash landing on her piked jaeger after hitting her feet in this final, have practically counted her out. But she's ok, folks...!<br />
Miller is far and away the nation's best bars worker. And what work it is - crisp and controlled handstands, impeccable release moves performed inside and outside the bars, and textbook toepoint on her dismount that she stuck cold in the final after shuffling in the prelim. The crowd roared. You can especially see the work that has gone into controlling the final full pirouette before her dismount, no Glasgow nerves here. The best thing about this gymnast is she is always better than her last round of competition. She greatly improved on her 14.650 score from qualifying and we know even better is yet to come.<br />
<br />
Rianna Mizzen made an even bigger impression than in last year's title-winning performance and will give Miller a run for her money. A neat worker with great toe-on giant work in the very same vein as Miller, she showed no sign of the nerves that plagued her at the recent Pacific Rim Championships. A stuck dismount sealed the confident showing (14.725). Reigning all-around champ and fellow Queenslander Godwin was shaky in her set that includes some decent Weiler kip work, but only a double pike dismount (12.45). Victorians Munteanu and Whitehead showed off their brave release work, the latter boasting a very cool Markelov.<br />
<br />
Emily Little made a rare bars appearance this year, showing that she's not to be counted out for an all-around role. There were some form errors in her releases but still gutsy work for what is her weakest event (12.425) including the always impressive double layout dismount. I finally got to see the measuring and adjusting hoopla that goes into raising the bars for tall poppy Georgia-Rose Brown, our announcer Ade even saying during warmups on night 1, <i>"This now concludes your warmup... everyone except Georgia Rose." </i>Georgia showed a tidy routine (13.90) that makes the most of her exquisite Russian-esque bodyline, but still a pak salto with some kinks in it like a crease in an elegant ballgown, and a surprisingly stuck double tuck dismount.<br />
<br />
Victorian and Queensland men really shine on high bar, and have for several years if past results are anything to go by. Like WA on women's floor, their daring sets them apart on the event. Variations on a double layout dismount (some singles and doubles in the mix) are always incredible to watch. Wiwatowski came off on a missed release but pulled through for an amazing stuck dismount, his difficulty one notch down from the 5.8 he had in qualifying.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>POMMEL/RINGS:</b><br />
<br />
Ah, pommel. If beige was an apparatus it would be you. I only really paid vague attention to it during prelims, where Luke Wadsworth suffered a scary fall on his dismount (over-rotating into his head) and Luke Wiwatowski stayed on - remarking after the competition that doing so was his highlight of the meet!<br />
<br />
Rings... err.... was a thing that happened. That I can assure you. My watching of it was not. Someone did a really amazing double-double dismount, though, might have been rocking Remkes or bombastic Brooks again!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>BEAM:</b><br />
<br />
Lauren Mitchell's post-injury beam routine is dampened but not disappointing. Although a little skittish, she improved from preliminaries where she fell on her two-foot layout, and still rocks a 2.5 wolf turn (twice!) like she's done it for a hundred years. Her dismount was a BHS-flic-double tuck landed a little squatted, I always worry she has pulled in too close and is going to clock her head on the beam!<br />
<br />
Little suffered a fall and was hit with major execution deductions but it was not the worst we have seen from her, and she is always someone keen to improve. I hope one day we get to see the back tuck full she once showed off as a 'muckaround' skill in training. Her WA teammate Yasmin Collier, who is a real treat in the choreography stakes, surprised us all with a back handspring to two layout stepouts, beautifully performed. Mizzen also showed off this skill sequence very nicely too, and had a near-stick on her double tuck dismount to leapfrog Little (13.825). Not so lucky with the same acro sequence was Emma Nedov, favourite to take the beam title after preliminaries with a stunning routine. She added in the extra layout stepout that Maryanne mentioned during Wednesday's livestream, but slipped off clutching the beam and had to settle for 13.425. There is huge score potential, though, if she repeats the routine of this difficulty in the final with the confidence she did on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Godwin showed a decent two-foot layout (from one back handspring and not two these days) and excellent wolf spins, but had form errors in her change leg ring leap and double pike dismount (13.15).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>FLOOR: </b><br />
<br />
On the men's side, head and shoulders above his competitors is teeny tiny Chris Remkes. He performed much better in qualifying with 6.6 difficulty (13.233) but couldn't repeat it in this all-around final, crashing out badly on his unique 'triple double' opening pass - yes, a double layout somersault with THREE twists! He bounced back with nice arabian work (tucked and piked) but there were some form errors throughout that hamper him, ending with 12.60. A few fellas came unstuck in their twisting work, and it will be interesting to see routine composition once roll-out skills are done away with. Costin, Wadsworth and Wiwatowski all kept their nerve to each score above 14.1, at one point Wiwa showed a double arabian with so much extra bounce I thought he was going to launch into an immediate extra front tuck!<br />
<br />
The women's floor rotation was the blue ribbon event here, with the return of Lauren Mitchell drawing in much of the crowd. But alongside her were WA compatriot Little who has shown spectacular form recently with her new-look routine, world championship finallist Miller, reigning all-around winner Godwin, and upstarts Paige James, Naomi Lee and Alex Eade.<br />
<br />
The absolute highlight outside the the actual routines was the WAIS team. Standing in the corners adjacent to the stands, they cheered for every girl's performance, and none were louder than head women's coach Martine George. Along with Stacey Umeh and competitor Olivia Vivian, they were getting the crowd involved from rotation start to rotation end, following every beat to one another's music and all heartily joining in the "HOO-WUH!!" vocalisation and claps in Emily Little's routine.<br />
<br />
Mitchell again has had to show a modified routine due to injury rehab, but for the second time in as many years her performance made me utter "WHAT injury?!?" Still performing to hip-hop strings, she showed a powerful piked full-in to open (couldn't quite hit a fully-splitted jump on landing) and double back tuck and pike, the latter landed a little low. Her London Olympic teammate Little performed her fun new floor that wowed the crowd recently at Pacific Rim. Although still some form errors, there is no denying her explosive power. Her piked full-in is almost back to fully laid out, and she backs it up with a great tucked one straight afterward. No cold sticks tonight, but an engaging routine that gets serious air (13.650).<br />
<br />
Beam queen Nedov showed a little anxiousness tonight, hugely under-rotating her opening tsukahara and closing double pike, putting her hands (and almost her face) down on the mat on both. I am pleased to observe though that they have worked on the volume of the wailing vocals in her music, it is obviously much quieter now at its peak - to the relief of the stadium sound guys, I am sure! Georgia Godwin was also unable to replicate her prelims performance, sitting down her opening punch double front but staying strong to get great height in her back double tuck (very open, like Kytra Hunter) and double pike for just 12.4. Errors aside, her wolf spins are so smooth, she would make a tremendous figure skater!<br />
<br />
Larrissa Miller (14.4) showed the delightful form that made her a world finallist in 2014, her evocative dance combined with neat difficult tumbles thrilled the crowd. Who doesn't love a front lay to double front performed like it's ballet? Expect her to medal this weekend, and to be top of the candidate list for Rio. Test Event teammate Brown showed one of her best floor performances yet as well, with more air and stamina than ever in her 2.5 twist and stuck double tuck, her unique dance elegance showing up well on the 'big stage'.<br />
<br />
The standout floors came from some dark horse gymnasts. Alexandra Eade (13.050) has gone from shy, small junior to explosive and mature senior. Her salsa-inspired routine had the crowd grinning, and not just because she showed off the only double layout of the women's competition. Like a Joura or a Slater of years past, she shows great expression in her face as well as her dance and will be a real asset to floor lineups of the future. Even more so is ACT's Naomi Lee. Lee, like Eade, always seemed shrimpy and shy. This nationals was a wonderful deb ball for her! I mentioned her vault above, and her floor was pretty remarkable too. While performing to "Fire and Ice" made famous by Monette Russo (who was in the house), Lee showed off a dainty double arabian and thrilling triple twist. An out of bounds and some execution deductions held her back, but the potential is amazing.<br />
And then there's Paige James from WAIS who has been on my radar for over 2 years now. The only indigenous Australian female senior, Paige showed great firepower in a routine much improved from prelims for 12.225. A speedy full twist through to triple twist and double back tuck were the highlight, ongoing injury recovery meaning her third pass was just a laid out punch front. But like Little and Eade, she really got the crowd clapping along.<br />
<br />
Mizzen sealed the deal in her final rotation. Although her score couldn't beat Little or Brown, her ground had been made up on beam and bars, and she capitalised on the errors of Nedov and Godwin to take the lead for her first national all-around title. I'm sure it will not be the last. She showed the fantastic form she had already shown in the Pacific Rim team trial, with wolf spins to rival Godwin and tidy tumbling. Her strengths are intelligently nurtured by her coaches and she put behind her all the errors from her recent international competitions.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3 - Little</b><br />
<b>2- Brown (also helped Victorian to team gold)</b><br />
<b>1 - Mizzen</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="http://ausgymnasticschamps.com.au/AGC2016Results/Files/WAG_Senior_International_All_Around.pdf">RESULTS</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>3- Costin</b><br />
<b>2 - Wiwatowski</b><br />
<b>1 - Wadsworth</b><br />
<br />
<b><u><a href="http://ausgymnasticschamps.com.au/AGC2016Results/Files/MAG_Senior_International_All_Around.pdf">RESULTS</a></u></b><br />
<br />
Congratulations to our senior winners Rianna and Luke, a testament to the strong coaching and development in their respective training centres. Two gymnasts with calm and focussed competition demeanour, I look forward to seeing them in more team lineups in the future. They and all the medallists showed off Australian gymnastics at its best and should be very proud.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>NOTES AND QUOTES:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"I'm fine. [But ] sorry to anyone who had to change their underpants!" - Olivia Vivian, being interviewed after her scary bars fall<br /></li>
<li>"ONE! TWO! YES!" - Martine George, counting Emily' Little's wolf spins at the start of her floor routine. Every. Single. Time.<br /></li>
<li>"Um, about 6 weeks?" - Small child in the audience picked for one of the gymnastics challenge games, asked how long he has been doing gymnastics<br /></li>
<li>Godwin and Darcy Norman shared the cutest high-five/handshake on the team medal dais<br /></li>
<li>Georgia-Rose stooping down for photos with shy fans outside the arena was adorable<br /></li>
<li>For the love of God please do something about the end part of Kiara's floor music where it fades out quickly, it is SCREAMING for "finishing behind the music" deductions that she doesn't deserve to get.<br /></li>
<li>A tweet of mine made the livestream on Wednesday, apparently? Cool. :)<br /></li>
<li>You are damned right I got a selfie with James Sherry<br /></li>
<li><a href="http://www3.colonialfirststate.com.au/resources/sports-boost/default.html#voting">VOTE</a> FOR JUNIOR CHAMP TALIA!!!!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-15987050291815957772015-09-06T21:45:00.001+10:002015-09-06T22:12:01.359+10:00In Conversation With: Allana Slater (Part 2)<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b> "I remember buying these gifts that this man was buying for his
family... and I couldn't believe nobody else had offered. I was just a competitor who
felt for another competitor, and wanted him to be able to share his joy and experiences with his family." </b></span></blockquote>
<br />
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<br />
<b>It's so unfortunate you ladies missed the team final in Sydney, but you had better luck 4 years later in Athens --</b><br />
<br />
Well they did take 8 teams in Athens, where Sydney only took 6.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, very true! Because it was so heartbreaking seeing you guys come 7th at home. </b><br />
<br />
But, theoretically, we <i>did</i>
make team finals because of the disqualification to China. We're now
6th, they lost the bronze so we moved up to 6th. It's actually in the
book!<br />
<br />
<b>Oh yes, the DQ!</b><br />
<br />
I even received a
certificate from the IOC congratulating me for coming 8th in floor
finals because I was first reserve. I 'officially' made the final
because of Dong Fangxiao being too young and getting disqualified. <br />
<br />
<b>Some
interesting mail for you! So in that four year period, then, was there
an overhaul of the approach to training, or an emphasis on new things to
ensure the best possible lineup could hit when it counted?</b><br />
<br />
Not
really, we trained pretty similar. But there was a big increase in
training hours at camp between 2002 and 2004. We started doing three
sessions a day when we were at camp, I think Athens camp was up to 50
hours a week at our peak that year. Other years it was 42, 44 hours a
week.<br />
<br />
We did a lot of work on physical conditioning, but for me my training program didn't really change much during my career.<b> </b>As
a younger gymnast the big focus was numbers, hitting routines and good
quality. Pre-Sydney I did maybe 20 vaults a session whereas pre-Athens
it was more like 15 vaults a session. But the numbers are what gives you
the confidence. In the leadup to Athens the focus was execution,
sticking landings and skill combinations, all so big in the '04 code.<br />
<b><br />So
let's move onto Athens for a little bit. You did have your Sydney
teammate Lisa Skinner with you, did that make the journey a little
easier for you, and then <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd0eTa4aOdQ">the competition itself</a>?</b><br />
<br />
I
think it just meant I had a familiar face, a friend, someone who'd
experienced Sydney with me. And I was delighted when she came back. She
was my best friend on the team. At camp we were always paired together,
we roomed together when we travelled, and we had a really wonderful
friendship. I couldn't have shared that experience with a better person.<br />
<br />
She
always kept me nice and relaxed on the competition floor. We knew
eachother's little quirks, when we wanted to talk, when we wanted to be
quiet, when we needed support, I was lucky to have someone like that on
the team. She knew exactly how I liked the bars prepared! In all-around I said, "Can I have Lisa come down and prepare the bars for me?!" And that was the perfect training relationship and competitive
relationship. And friendship.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.gymbox.net/_borders/SkinnerKellySlaterVC1Groningen120Kopie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gymbox.net/_borders/SkinnerKellySlaterVC1Groningen120Kopie.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Gymbox.net</span></i></div>
<br />
<b>Did
Peggy and the other coaches find with you two older girls that, having been
around the traps a bit, they were more reassured, maybe didn't have to
supervise you as much? Or did you feel you really had to lead by
example? </b><br />
<br />
When we got to Athens, two of us had already been to an Olympics, so we knew what the whole Village was about. It didn't really grab our attention, we were like "Yup, village, international zone, yup, yup, get to those later." because it then wasn't a distraction for you. The massive food hall wasn't daunting. You just got on and did what you needed to do because you'd experienced the excitement of it before. We were then able to help the younger girls who were new to that environment to adjust, and not worry about all the other athletes and what's going on or the pressure, just focussing on what we needed to do. There was plenty of time for all that after the competition. So I think that was reassuring for the coaches - that there was 2 girls old enough and mature enough to get on with the job, once you got to the gym not be phased by equipment changes or the other athletes there. And of course helped out the younger girls with that.<br />
<br />
<b>I bet they thought you were pretty great "big sisters". </b><br />
<br />
I hope so!<b> </b>You've got to know what each girl's like, but you've still got to let them experience some of the excitement. We still went through that excitement with them, but you knew how to keep it in check. But we had a blast, we went to lots of events, and still made sure we experienced the Olympic Games!<br />
<br />
<b>And have you kept any souvenirs or memorabilia from either of the Games, ones that bring back the most fond memories? </b><br />
<br />
Oh of course, I still have all my Olympic gear. I'm walking through my house now going, "Oh my gosh, how many boxes of memorabilia do I <i>have</i>?! I have so much stuff!" (Laughs) I collected Olympic pins, so I have a very precious pin collection from Sydney and Athens and from Commonwealth Games, pins you were able to get from athletes. I remember one of the volunteers in Sydney gave me one of the Olympic ring pins off their hat to trade for one of the Australian team pins which I think was the best trade ever, because I now had a pin that was just the Olympic rings so that's really precious to me.<br />
<br />
I have my diary that I wrote in Athens, that brings back a lot of the memories because I was writing it 'in the moment' of what I was feeling. Sometimes it's nice to go back and read that and remind yourself - a decade later you forget all those details. And to share it, too. My husband Scott didn't really follow sport during the time of my career, so I think it's important for them to get to understand who you are as a person and how those experiences shaped you. It's nice to share that with him. Maybe down the track, if we have children, it might be nice for them to read about your thoughts and feelings as an athlete.<br />
<br />
So those are the precious memorabilia I have - memories, photos, diary and pin.<br />
<br />
<b>I am sure you will have many, many amazing stories to tell down the track, I have zero doubt!</b><br />
<br />
You forget, really, until you start talking to someone and it all comes back.<br />
<br />
I was talking to my mum the other day. I remembered one day when our parents could come in and visit the athlete's village in Sydney. So we went 'round the village and to the shop and we got this plate that there were only 400 of, that was only being sold that day. We went to buy one and I remember seeing this man, a competitor, buying presents for his family. But when he got to the cash register he didn't have enough to pay. And I just thought, "This poor man. He's tried really hard, he's got to the Olympic Games, clearly trained his entire life to get here and he can't afford a few souvenirs because in his country he doesn't get endorsements or government sponsorship, I mean maybe he's funded his way here for all I know?" I remember turning to my mum and saying, "I'll pay for it." So we told the cashier we'd pay for it. And the cashier just looked at us. But we said, "No no, it's fine, we'll pay for it." So I remember buying these gifts that this man was buying for his family... and I couldn't believe nobody else had offered, there were hundreds of other people standing there. I was just a competitor who felt for another competitor, and wanted him to be able to share his joy and experiences with his family. <br />
<br />
So those are the little stories you forget about until you're reminded, and you think "Oh my gosh! Now I remember that <i>that</i> happened!" but it was such an Olympic value that's been ingrained into me.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And of course he'll possibly one day be sitting with his children, and looking at his Olympic gifts, and saying "Now, there was this red-headed Australian girl who helped me buy this...!"</b><br />
<br />
That's it, that's it! "She was just a really generous young girl, 16 back then, about your age!" But that's the spirit of the Olympic Games. For me it was all about sharing and giving, but that's also what I was raised to be in my household by my mum and my dad. So that's just a little story that shows who I am, but you forget about those 'little' things. To me it wasn't a big deal, it was just something you do to help people. <br />
<br />
<b>A very nice Random Act of Kindness!</b><br />
<br />
Exactly - an act of kindness can go a long way. And it can change someone's life.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>"I
was so definite about what I wanted but I couldn't put it into words.
"I'll know when I hear it." The moment that El Tango De Roxanne came on I
was just hooked... </b><b>you compete on a twelve-by-twelve floor but your performance has to be bigger than that."</b></span> </blockquote>
<br />
<b>Your
beautiful 'Tango de Roxanne' <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO83AGSrMG0">floor routine</a> that we saw in both the Athens team
final and AA final is still to this day a favourite for a lot of fans,
not just for that period but for all time. </b><b>You're on a lot of Top
10 lists. Can you remember much about how you went about creating it
with [rhythmic choreographer] Lisa Bradley, and what was your favourite
part of performing it?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I'd always had a little bit of say in my music, but I remember
post-Sydney saying, "Please, can you let me choose my music?" because
I'd done ballet classes when I was young, and still did private ones up
until I was about 16 at home, and we always worked on that
Interpretation Of The Music. Ballet teaches are, you know, the masters
of interpreting emotions through music. So I remember saying "I want
something that's <i>mature</i>."<b> </b>(Laughs) All of 16 years of me!<b> </b>And,
"I want to be able to give a performance that's something that I can
own. Something that's me. Something that I can become a character in."
And I went to this well-known CD store - you know, back when CDs were
all the rage<b>, </b>when you actually had to go into a shop to listen to music! - and I just remember hours with Lisa Bradley<b>.</b>
I went to her house and went through her entire music collection, but
we just couldn't find something that was the perfect tone. I didn't want
something too heavy or dominating but with a bit of ebb and flow.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b>I
knew Moulin Rouge was coming out and I thought "I really want to listen
to that soundtrack", I think it had only just been released... And you
listen to the first 8 bars (if you're lucky) and you're just like "No...
no... no...!" and my mum would say "How do you know?"<b> </b>and I was like, "You just <i>know</i>."
I was so definite about what I wanted but I couldn't put it into words.
"I'll know when I hear it." So I was listening to the Moulin Rouge
soundtrack and the moment that El Tango De Roxanne came on I was just
hooked. I could hear how it was building, and how "I could take this bit
out and put it with that bit." and in my mind i already had this
character building... and I hadn't even seen the movie yet! So I'd
chosen my music and then I went and watched the movie. And learning what
it was about I understood, how it was pushing the boundaries a little
bit because it was about this courtesan in the 1900s in this mystical
world of Paris, this whole love triangle. And I thought "How am I really
going to put that out onto the floor?" and it was going to push
boundaries with what I was doing in my dance form.<br />
<br />
<br />
I
chose that music because it struck a chord with me. Cutting it was hard.
I trained with words in my music because I couldn't even get them taken
out, we didn't know if we could. Peggy sent it to America to get it
re-orchestrated. It was a very long process to get this floor music but
we were going to get it! So I went to Lisa Bradley, who's just an
incredible choreographer, and she already had sort of a routine in mind
and we had to see if it matched up. Some things we had to change, my
arms just weren't long enough to get into some of the positions! But she
came up with this piece and it was new, it was fresh, it was different.
It was a little bit of the rhythmic world coming in, in terms of dance
and telling a complete story. <br />
<br />
For me, the favourite
part was that every time I performed it I did it a little bit better. In
that 4 years my maturity changed, as a person and as an athlete. Me
performing it in 2001 is very different to me performing it in 2004.
There's a maturity that you gain into your 20s, a performance value that
you just don't have when you're 17. There were favourite parts that had
been taken out, then put back in, then taken out. I remember there was
<a href="https://youtu.be/BbzterUquvs?t=1m16s">this one move right before my last tumble</a> that for me was the crux of
the routine that displayed what it was meant to mean and I was like "I
am <i>going</i> to put this bit of choreogaphy back in." so we worked
around it at training camp with Lisa and we got it in. It was just this
movement that really symbolised that you were a mature athlete, I was
running my hands down my body and going into a really strong pose right
before the end. And I was determined, "I am grown up, I'm here but I can
still do it." And then still portraying the sensitivity that was in
that Moulin Rouge piece.<br />
<br />
<b>And I think it was a very
good example of, when you're talking to gymnasts and trying to explain
the idea of "engaging the audience and engaging the judges". There are
WAIS gymnasts who have come after you, too, who really sell it. From eye
contact to head-to-toe, to well-selected music that they work with. I
think all that can really make a routine. And I would say that's why
your routine is on so many people's favourites lists</b>, <b>the music selection and that well-performed choreography and the total engagement that you brought to it.</b> <br />
<br />
Absolutely.
And for me, the performance value was so important. Yes, the judges are
marking you, but for me it was all about the audience. Yes, you compete
on a twelve-by-twelve floor but your performance has to be bigger than
that. You have to make eye contact with the crowd. You look at the
singers and dancers that are out there, and the stage performers, <b>y</b>ou
watch what they do and he way they engage, and I wanted to bring
something special like that. Pre-Sydney I used to wink at the judges,
that was my thing to try and draw them in.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/gymnstands/2000%20Olympics/slater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/gymnstands/2000%20Olympics/slater.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But then you grow and get
something more mature, and you can't just wink at the judges your whole
life! This was a routine that wasn't all about smiling, but it was about
being almost playful in your expressions and tantalising, "I'm going to
engage you with my expression and my eyes and look at you, but <i>no I'm
not</i>! And now I'm going to do a move that's coy and shy because it's a
tango piece. " The tango is all about playfulness and just putting
your spirit out there. So I just tried to engage the judges and the
crowd and draw them in with me.<br />
<br />
That's what's so hard
to express about artistry, for young athletes to really understand.
There's so many deductions now for artistry but it's hard for them to
understand the concept of artistry when they're really young. It's not
just smiling at the judges or looking really happy and doing bigger
movements. It's about a character, it's about portraying something, and
that's hard to get people to do. But Australia is very good at it! We've
always been very good at it. Girls now have brilliant artistry, through
the work of Lisa Bradley and Stacey Umeh.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Personally, I was hoping after your all-around performance of the
routine that you were going to get a phone call from Baz Luhrmann!</b> <b>Honestly! Saying, you know, "Thank you so much for your wonderful interpretation of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZLQJyG-kcs">this song</a> from my film!</b>" <br />
<br />
That would have been lovely! (Laughs) <br />
<br />
<b>Because
we have had plenty of gymnasts use music from soundtracks before, and
yours was great as a standalone routine as well as an interpretation of
the film it was from.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kostiskal.net/allana/allsl5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.kostiskal.net/allana/allsl5.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image courtesy Kostikal.net</i></span><b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<b>It was evocative. And although gymnasts will do
past gymnasts' music, as far as I know nobody has used that music since
or at least done it as well as you did. It was so one-of-a-kind.</b><br />
<br />
Aww,
thank you! Well, there was one girl who competed in the same round as
us in qualification, from South Africa, and she had the same kind of
music as me.<br />
<br />
<b>Awkwaaard!</b><br />
<br />
And I was like "Ohhh! Oh, poor thing!"<br />
<br />
<b>Haha. "Yeeeah... but I'm gonna wipe the floor with you so I don't feel <i>too</i> bad!"</b><br />
<br />
I
mean, it is hard. I had Omelianchik's Ballet Russe music. And you're
learning it and thinking "I need to make this my own. I can't copy but I
need to make it my own." And you just try. It's hard to have somebody
else's floor music and share the floor with them.<br />
<br />
<b>Full
disclosure, I remember that particular routine of yours so well because
when I was doing gymnastics at the time I used to try and copy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fkckeQSB4U">your actual choreo</a>. I loved all of the moves.</b><br />
<br />
Really?
Aww! I think it's nice when people try and copy it! I used to try and
copy the girls in the gym when I was little, I knew all their
choreography. It's ridiculous, but I have a little knack for remembering
choreography. I still remember all of my floor routines. It's a bit
sad!<br />
<br />
<b>No, not at all!</b><br />
<br />
And interestingly... for our wedding, my husband and I learned a tango piece to my floor music. The exact cut.<br />
<br />
<b>Really?!</b><br />
<br />
Yeah,
we did! We came in and did a little character building piece at the
beginning, and then danced to my floor music. I thought that would be a
really nice surprise for my coaches. I went from performing the tango by
myself - you know, the tango's a partner piece of course! - to tangoing
with my partner. And hats off to him because he's not a natural dancer!
But we danced well together, we learned this
tango-slash-Argentinian-tango and I had an absolute ball.<br />
<br />
<b>What a wonderful journey for that music! And for you guys! </b><br />
<br />
It came full circle! And now that music means something to him as well. And I mean, it wasn't our official 'first dance', but I really wanted to use it. So we did it as an extra piece.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>"I think social media does so well for athletes these days, you can
promote yourself and catch the eye of a sponsor. It's very hard when
you're 20 but look 16 with the support of just a car dealership. </b><b>No deals came around for me. There are mortgages that only exist because of gymnastics careers." </b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<b>Speaking of maturing in your gymnastics and moving into adulthood... a
little bit of a tangent here. I used to work in a bookstore, and one day
I stumbled on the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Champions-A-Parents-Perspective/dp/0734407785">Raising Champions</a>", where parents of elite
athletes talked about their experiences, and your mother Barbara (as
well as Phil Rizzo's mum!) had contributed a chapter. In it she
describes a moment in about 2001, 2002, where you were both watching a
tennis match on tv, and I think it was Mark Phillippousis, and they'd
described him finishing in the top 10 in the world and getting all these
sponsorship deals. She said you turned to her and said, "But Mum, I made
9th in the world too. And I've got nothing." Can you talk a little bit
about your experiences with sponsorship and funding while training,
esepcially as you got a bit older and had to look at becoming more
self-sufficient? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Well I was a 'test case', really, because I was one of the first to keep going past 18 years old - excluding Lisa Skinner obviously. So it was all bit trial and error, to know what a good balance was for an adult athlete. If you're the only person in a training centre or team who's of age, or over age, it's hard to keep that balance for the coaches. But the more athletes stay on the easier that balance can get for them. So I actually didn't work, because they thought that would be best for me when I was training so I could be solely focussed on it. I wasn't going to do Year 12 because I was travelling too much to sit my exams - I was going to have to sit them in Hungary when I was at the World Championships and obviously that wasn't going to happen!<br />
<br />
So I didn't work. I did a small speaker's circuit which makes a little bit of money, but not a lot. My mum was my sole supporter, financially. Sponsorships were just non-existent back then, no matter how much you spoke to people. They just weren't quite willing to put their money into athletes unless you were super big, like Ian Thorpe or a major sport like AFL, tennis, golf. Everything's moving forward these days, as it should. But to be in that era was hard, when you're not working you're not getting quite enough to support yourself but you were training so much you didn't have time to work.<br />
<br />
You think, "How am I going to get sponsorship?" We really did try. We tried to go down the beauty avenue, you know, you're a young female so maybe makeup or hair products. But you're competing with all the models and the actresses with those. So it was certainly a hard pocket to be in. I had a very generous man here in Perth at McInerny Ford, he loaned a car to me so I didn't have to buy one. So that was a huge appreciation on my behalf to him and his company. Other than that there was none.<br />
<br />
I remember getting a phonecall recently from an athlete who's in a different sport, and she called me because she got some offers and was looking for a manager. So she asked me what I did about a manager and I said "I didn't have one. My mum and I just looked after it." Neither of us were managers and we didn't have a social media platform to try and put yourself out there and try to gain a profile. I think social media does so well for athletes these days, you can promote yourself and catch the eye of a sponsor. It's very hard when you're 20 but look 16 with the support of just a car dealership, for me there was no financial sponsorship.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Even after the back-to-back Commonwealth Games team golds, that amazing Worlds team bronze in 2003, those results that made a few newspapers, there was still nothing that came your way? </b> <br />
<br />
No. I never had any major endorsements during my career. Anything I did was organised by my mum and myself, any promotions were mostly for AIS and WAIS. I did quite a bit promoting WAIS. Any of that I did, though, was as goodwill. I did do Dolly Magazine's "Dream And Achieve" program, where you went into schools and made motivational speeches. You got a little bit of money for that.<br />
<br />
But overall I guess it wasn't a big focus of mine, it wasn't something I felt that I <i>had</i> to do - get sponsorships and endorsements. It was like the "icing on the cake" side of things, like being recognised or being able to inspire people and realising you've inspired people. It would've been lovely to have the financial support, but no, no deals came around for myself. It would have been a huge stress off my mum's shoulders, being a widow and supporting her child through a sport. There are, you know, mortgages that only exist because of gymnastics careers. She did it because she loved me and wanted me to follow my dreams. And c'est la vie. That's life. You keep going forward. You can't get upset that you don't get endorsement deals if you're doing the sport just because you love it. I loved going to the gym, and I loved training, I loved gymnastics.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>You
retired from gymnastics in 2005, not long before the World
Championships in Melbourne. At that Worlds, Australia got its first
major all-around medal with Monette Russo's bronze. Was there a feeling
of bittersweetness there for you? Or did you think, "You know what, this
was the right time to step away. This new generation's in good hands."</b><br />
<br />
I did want to continue for 2 years<b> </b>post-Olympics but sometimes your body just doesn't agree with you. I still had a few injuries. My ankles... I mean... I didn't really know if I was ever going to be able to do floor again. Well, certainly not that year anyway. It was always going to be a question mark with my surgeon as to whether I was going to be able to do it again. I had a back injury as well. Sometimes you've just got to accept that your body says no. And I had an amazing opportunity presented to me to commentate the [2006] Commonwealth Games for the host broadcaster. And I thought "I guess this is the right time?" Because the last thing any performer wants to do is fizzle out, to try to continue and just never really do anything else. I was going off to play <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqZuXDuRCEc">an extra on "Stick It"</a>, and it kind of just felt right.<br />
<br />
Would I have loved to have continued on and competed a Worlds and Commonwealth Games in Australia? Absolutely. But sometimes you just have to accept your limits, and that's what I did. I had an amazing opportunity during Worlds to be in the Channel 7 broadcasting van when Monette was competing, and helping with the broadcasting and feeling that excitement. Then running from the van to the venue to see Monette receive her all-around medal! Monette had been one of the up-and-comers into Athens and I felt pride, because I'd been team captain on a couple of teams she'd been on and got to see her shine. A little bittersweet that it happened not long after I finished, but she was a great gymnast and a great performer, I'd worked with her very closely and I was so extremely proud of her.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's because of trailblazers like you and Lisa Skinner that she was able to do it at all, there's certainly some credit to you in there.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I think that's important. You look at the 1992 generation, in '91 we came 6th in the world in Indianapolis and qualified our first team [final] in '92. I had three girls training in our program that were on the Olympic team and for me that was inspirational. With each generation you get more inspired and hope that you can keep upping the achievements. <br />
<br />
<b>We
have had past Sydney and Athens Olympians like Lisa Mason and Catalina Ponor making impressive comebacks after
retirement. Is there definitely no possibility of you pulling a leo back
on and making a go of it? We couldn't tempt you?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
(Laughs) I have a lot of gymnastics <i>dreams</i>! If my body still loved me enough to let me do it I probably would. But I'll stay at the judges' table and enjoy it from the sidelines.<b> </b>Sometimes in my dreams I'm still out there! And I look at those athletes from my generation coming back and I just think they're incredible people. Lisa Mason's just going from strength to strength, and Catalina's always been a unique and intriguing gymnast and it's so great to see her back. And Chusovitina is the benchmark for gymnastics, doing the skills she is doing, being at that level and that age she is, that's just incredible.<br />
<br />
<b>I know! I'm 28 and I look at them and think "Nope, I sure couldn't, so more power to them!"</b><br />
<br />
I remember when <a href="http://bounceinc.com.au/">Bounce</a> opened here, I went. I could still do a couple of things but wow, did I hurt afterwards! I couldn't go up stairs, I was pretty sore! I was like, "Oh yeah, I can totally do a double front half out off the tramp, nope, OWCH OWWWCH!" But also got to find out how incredibly uncoordinated my husband is on them! We had a ball though.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Khorkina was a little bit scary. But, at the same time, don't
under-estimate a little redheaded Australian! People are trying to get
up on the beam, you know, and it was <i>my</i> turn! So I front-saulted over the top of her hands!</span></b></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<b>So by way of wrapping up, I now have
a bit of a fun Lightning Round for you! I'm going to give you the name
of a gymnast from during your career, I'd love to hear a memory or a
description or even just a phrase that stands out from your time
competing with them:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Beth Tweddle: </b><br />
<br />
Post-2000 I knew she was going to be amazing, an up-and-coming bar worker. Incredible bar connections. Innovative, and inspirational to GB gymnastics.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Did you get to chat much during 2002 Commonwealths or at Athens?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Not really... I first got to know Beth post-Sydney at the World Cup in Stuttgart, and she was this new, green, fresh-eyed gymnast coming out of GB that was super talented and then just went from strength to strength. Even post-2004, she and Amanda Kirby came up with the most innovative bar connections the world's ever seen. And she had several different versions of her routine that she could perform, A-B-C-D-E and Z, and she knew exactly where she was all the time and how she was going to get out of a small mistake and still make it look like an intentional part of the routine. I think that's the mark of a very very special gymnast.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Catalina Ponor:</b><br />
<br />
She was artistic. Incredibly strong on beam and floor. On beam it was just... numbers. All the time. Consistent. Up-down-up-down. Intention when she trained, intention when she competed. And a real performer.<br />
<br />
<b>You were both in the beam final in Athens. Did her work ethic, or her approach to competing on beam, influence you at all? Did you take anything from when you were watching her?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I think at the time you're so involved in what <i>you're</i> doing you don't really watch for that. I certainly noticed more after retiring and watching her. But, you know, I watched the Romanians train for years and they're just machines. They do routine after routine, and they hit the routines, and it's no fuss. You get on with the job. That's what makes consistency and that's why she was beam champion.<br />
<br />
<b>I'm so fascinated to see her come back some... what, twelve years after that beam win?</b><br />
<br />
I really hope she makes it for Worlds! And Izbasa as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Elena Zamolodchikova (AGB: And sidenote, I did you see you both judging at 2010 Pacific Rim!)</b><br />
<br />
Yes! She has got a really lovely personality. Very friendly, very giving.<br />
<br />
After she become Olympic champion on floor, we were at the Stuttgart World Cup not long after. And it was back when they had the top 2 in the final repeat their routine,<b> </b>and you went on the lift thing to find out which of them had won--<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Oh yes, the "super final"!</b><br />
<br />
-- The Super Final!<br />
<br />
So I remember getting to floor, and I had equalled her score in the qualification so I was like "OhmygodddddIequalledtheOlympicChampiononflooooor!", I was so excited! To go out and perform the second round with her was incredible. So here I was going, "I can do this. I can do a second routine within fifteen minutes, I'm gonna be fine!" It was just so matter of fact with her, she was just <i>(clicks fingers)</i>, incredible. And I loved her style. She had her own unique style and you know that was her from her movements.<br />
<br />
So we finished floor finals, did the super final, and then we had bars final straight away. We were both in bar final. Then there were actually <a href="http://213.179.68.150/gymmedia/ag/events2000/stuttgart/results_wom.htm">3 of us in that super final </a>because there was a tie and they couldn't seperate us. Right before we came out for bars she came over to me and said, "You must have!" and she gave me dark chocolate and coffee. (<i>adopts a slight Russian accent) </i>"Thees you must have, to be ebble to do Super Final! Big workload!" So she gave me those to give me the energy to perform because obviously I'd never been in a Super Final before and it was new to me. And then I went on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjFwQ7CfUqo">to win</a>. So that was pretty exciting for me - maybe it was that dark chocolate!<br />
<br />
<b>Brilliant! I love it!</b><br />
<br />
That was the generosity of her nature. She wanted everybody to always compete to their best. And then it was whomever was best on the day. It was never a fight or anything like that, it was always "Can I just do something...?" She was very giving as an athlete. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Trudy McIntosh</b><br />
<br />
Oh, Pocket Rocket! Her floor and beam were just ridiculous. Amazing. <b> </b>She was fantastic under pressure. She was one of my really good friends when we travelled, and we travelled a lot together. And we had so many laughs, I couldn't think of the number of laughs that we've had and shared over our career.<b> </b>Truly a very good friend. <b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<b>Svetlana Khorkina</b><br />
<br />
Ha! I knew this one was coming! <br />
<br />
My coach Nikolai actually coached her when she was young, so he knew her quite well. So I think I got a little 'in' that way. But let me tell ya, if she stares you down the corner for a tumbling row, you let her have it!<br />
<br />
She was a little bit scary. But, at the same time, don't under-estimate a little redheaded Australian! People are trying to get up on the beam, you know, and it was <i>my</i> turn! I'd been waiting a long time! So I front-saulted over the top of her hands! (Laughs)<br />
<br />
<b>Niiiiiiice!</b><br />
<br />
Once you've been out there a long time you get to know each other really well. And she was Svetlana Khorkina. But she also, sometimes, could show her generosity. She'd say <i>(adopts slight Russian accent again)</i> "No no no! Eet's Allunna's turn!"<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Aww!</b><br />
<br />
So we looked out for eachother in that competitive environment. I don't know what it's like now. But back then when you had one beam and 40 girls trying to warm up at qualifications for World Cup, you know, once you had been out there a while you gained respect. And that's what I loved about all the competitors at that time. It was always respectful in the training gym and at the competition hall and afterwards. <b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<b>And that's what I love about gymnastics. The media like to spin it so public perception is always, "Oh, it's competitive to the point I bet it's really catty!" but I wish sometimes broadcasts would show more sideline moments like that. There really is great diplomacy and sportsmanship in gymnastics, because you train and compete alongside each other all the time, but we don't always get to see it.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I agree! You have a great respect for one another. You all know how hard you've trained and worked to get here. You all know how hard it is to travel and compete, travel and compete, travel and compete, and you just want everybody to have a good day. You don't want to win by default, nobody does. You want to go out there and perform, and whoever's best on the day is best on the day. It could be anybody. Could be Number 1 in the world, could be Number Twenty in the world. You just want everybody to do their best. And for me that's what the experience was always like. You always wanted everybody to perform well, and be willing to say "Hey, congratulations! That was really good!<br />
<br />
<b>I really do wish more of that got shown. I loved seeing Simone Biles, Number One, World Champion, cheer for Claudia Fragapane at the American Cup, and cheering for other girls at Worlds.</b><br />
<br />
And you know what? The people who understand you the best in the world are your competitors. You're all training hard and all aiming for the same goals. Some people achieve it and some people don't. But at the end of the day you've <i>all</i> trained hard and have a great respect for eachother. <br />
<br />
<b>Very well put. And a perfect note to finish on. Allana Slater, thank you so much for your time.</b><br />
<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-79141638907862879102015-08-30T22:36:00.000+10:002015-09-06T22:11:49.768+10:00In Conversation With: Allana Slater (Part 1)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">"For me, the Olympic movement is everything. It's what shapes who I am beause of the journey that I went on. They're the values that I live by."</span> </b></blockquote>
<br />
Two Oympic Games. Two Commonwealth Games. Multiple World Championships and World Cups. Multiple state and national championships. A brief stint in the commentary box. A judge, a motivational speaker, a physiotherapist, a student, a wife, a daughter, a friend...<br />
<br />
When I call Allana Slater one Sunday evening in August, to reflect on her glittering career as an Australian gymnastics trailblazer, these are just some of the memories she is packing up and shifting as part of her latest house move. As warm and engaging to speak with as she was each time she took to the floor mat, I felt very privileged to have just over 90 minutes to talk about the changes and challenges of such a unique life, notably those changes and challenges that have arisen in the 15 years since the Sydney Olympic Games.<br />
<br />
This is Part 1 of that interview.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>AGB: So, by way of introduction, tell us a little about where you're at right now. I know you were married not long ago, and have had some interesting career transitions....!</b><br />
<br />
AS: Gosh, well so much has changed in the last couple of years! I got married in 2013, and that was a wonderful day obviously, full of wonderful gymnastics family and my husband's family and lots of our joint friends which was just very special. Went to uni after retiring and got my physiotherapy degree, then 3 years out decided I would go it on my own - have a mobile physiotherapy service - whilst I started my studies for a Masters of Sonography (diagnostic ulstrasound), and go into the radiography/radiology medical imaging industry. I'm now a sonographer with a private company here in WA, I've been doing it for about ten months now, and that forms part of a traineeship. So within the traineeship you still continue your uni degree, and I have two years left... and I just can't wait! I'm really loving this career change for myself!<br />
<br />
I still keep the mobile physiotherapy up, but I'm also Vice-President of the West Australian Olympic Council, so very involved in the Olympic movement here in WA. With one year out from Rio we're obviously very focussed on building our fundraising component, I don't think people realise just how much it is to get your athletes there (not just gymnastics obviously). It's a huge fundraising target so we're relying on the people in our state to be giving, and you step back from your own sport and really look at the bigger picture. For me, the Olympic movement is everything. It's what shapes who I am beause of the journey that I went on. They're the values that I live by.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>It sounds like you're having a whale of a time! For someone to come out the other side of a very intense but prestigous sporting career, to be occupied and pursuing things they love... that's really wonderful to hear, as someone who followed that career and was so inspired by it. To know they're in a good place. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b> There are lot of highlighted cases of athletes not doing well after retirement. It isn't easy. You have to have the support around you. I had my mum, who was an amazing influence on my life, without her I don't think I would be so well-adjusted. She kept me well-adjusted when I was training, she also kept me well-adjusted once I retired, kept me focussed. I had to do mature-age student entry into university because I didn't do year 12. It took a little bit of extra effort, not going the 'normal' route. I had to sit a mature age student exam, and doubts started creeping in: Am I smart enough? It's been years since I studied, what have I missed out on not doing year 12? Then once you get into university you just find your way like everybody else does.<br />
<br />
There were difficult days, coming out of an extreme routine. Every day, every week being the same for years. It was definitely a challenge, finding a new routine. And your friends have moved on from school, friends from your sport might have moved on, not being in the age of Facebook definitely made it difficult to stay in touch... But at the same time you make new friends, in university and the workplace, and accept that you start working a different way in your life and then joining the 'normal' pathway of life, getting married, getting a house, having children, all that sort of stuff.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Well for anyone whose life was really anything but 'normal', I think it's fantastic to hear how your mum helped keep you grounded, and I will touch on that more a bit later. And are you still judging as well? </b><br />
<br />
Yes! <b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<b>Because I did see you judging as recently as 2015 Nationals.</b><br />
<br />
Yes, only at national level. I've been doing it since 2006, since basically the birth of the 'open' code. So that's been really cool. I love judging. I couldn't see anything better to do than transition into judging.<b> </b>Lots of people see it as taking, but I see it as rewarding. Because you sit there, and someone does something beautifully and magnificently, and you just go, "I couldn't have seen that done any better!", and you just enjoy the performance. For me it's all about seeing the love and passion on the athlete's face, and watching beautiful gymnastics.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>I think that's so great! And a lot of gymnasts who have gone into judging have felt the same. Coaching too - it's their way of giving back.</b><br />
<br />
Absolutely. And also you can use what you went through. Because you know what the athletes are experiencing so you can have a greater understanding. If you're a coach, you have an understanding of what they might be feeling, and you can connect with them a little bit better. You might be able to describe something to them from the aspect, "What are you feeling? What did that feel like? Well, I want you to feel it like this." rather than just a purely technical point of view. Some athletes are really connected to their body and what something feels like when they're performing, so if you can use that to your advantage as a coach you're going to connect with your athlete really well.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>"We keep moving, we keep getting older and wiser but... as long as we keep enjoying it! That's the most important thing!"</b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<b>And of course in 2015 you're dealing with an entirely different Code of Points to the one you competed under, what are your thoughts on the code, the bigger emphasis on artistry, and that change to an open-ended system?</b><br />
<br />
I think because I never judged on the old system it didn't play with my mind too much. Because when you competed you knew your routines, and what you needed, but you didn't know absolutely everything about the code. You knew your major deductions but not the ins and outs of the code. So for me, jumping straight into the open-ended code was a perfect entrance level for judging.<br />
<br />
There are so many advantages and disadvantages to the open code. Advantages are, I mean, compared to the old code, if you fall you still get the value of a skill as long as you completed it, it's the technical requirement. Previously you didn't always get the value. So I think that certainly benefits athletes to try those skills. What we found in the 2000-2004 era was that sometimes people weren't willing to take the risk on big skills because of the execution deductions, and everything being out of 10.0 so there was no advantage to doing anything bigger or worth more. So I really like that component of the new code - if you are brilliant and you've got really consistent huge skills like a Simone Biles, you can use them, you can show them, you can entertain the world with them. But I think the only disadvantage to some of that is that sometimes execution can get lost. Things like stretched knees, pointed toes, hitting full split, sometimes they might be not as important as getting the higher value skills. So I think it's just making sure that your balance your routine out for the overall look of it. Because I think that's where some people who don't follow gymnastics might get lost watching the sport!<br />
<br />
<b>(We proceed to have a further few moments' gushing about the "perfect packages" of gymnastics that are Simone Biles and Nastia Liukin)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Is it odd for you to be judging gymnasts who weren't even born when you took to the floor in Sydney? Do some of them have an idea of who you are? I know I for one would be telling my children who you are!</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> (Laughs) It's not that people don't know you, that doesn't bother me at all. To me it doesn't matter one bit that they know you're an athlete or not. The weird thing for me is when I look at the age of an entrant, or I look at an up-and-comer and I'm thinking "When do they become junior, when do they become senior?" and I look and they weren't even born when I competed at the Olympic Games! Next year will be the first generation of gymnasts that were born in 2000 becoming senior. Sydney, you know, was some 15-and-a-half years ago but to me that was just yesterday, in memories. And I think "Oh my gosh these athletes are going to be competing next year in Rio, they'll be doing their senior year at the Olympic Games, they were <i>born the year I completed</i> <i>at the Sydney Olympics</i>! Sometimes that totally blows my mind.<br />
<br />
<b> Makes you feel a bit old, hey!</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> (Laughs) Yeah! Sometimes! I mean, I'm 31. Even in my day job, when I'm scanning and I'm checking birthdates I'm thinking "Oh my GOSH, you know? Gosh, they're young!"<br />
<br />
<b>(Laughs) I hear you! These days when I hear someone say "So-and-so gymnast is a 1999 baby, they're a 2000 baby." I think "Don't! Don't say that to me, argh! I was their age then, I don't want to hear that!"</b><br />
<br />
Well that's life, isn't it. We keep moving, we keep getting older and wiser but... as long as we keep enjoying it! That's the most important thing!<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Exactly, exactly. I agree. </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So now speaking of the Sydney Olympics, it has unbelievably been 15 years, and that's primarily why I hoped to have this chat with you today. Going back to that time when did it sink in for you, that you were going to be an Olympian? Was it as early as being named to the team? Or was it when you picked up your kit? Or as late as when you all walked into the arena together?</b><br />
<br />
I think throughout the entire <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcld2U5EYoI">selection process</a> you're just focussed on the team, and the selection process itself, you're not thinking about the Olympic Games. [Despite my good trial results] You had to put it out of your mind at every step of the selection, because you had to go to camp, you had to <i>win</i> your place to be on each apparatus. It's not about you just get <i>given</i> the opportunity. At camp you had to show your consistency, that you could be relied upon, but also show your skill value and execution is valuable to the team. So I had to put it out of my mind, "You're going to be an Olympian."<br />
<br />
Even when you get to the Games you're trying not to think about it, just what you're there to do, not think about the thousands of people in the Olympic Village, or the crowds... so we were kept quite sheltered, Peggy and Jo and the coaches did keep us nice and sheltered. But I think the night of the opening ceremony, we were sitting in the Australian quadrangle area because of course we didn't walk in the ceremony as we were Day 2 competition -- <br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>That has always frustrated me, that gymnasts don't get to march!</b><br />
<br />
I knoooow! I've never marched the opening ceremony! Ooh, I wish I could have! But sitting there watching the Australian team walking in, it was that 'buzz'. And then Cathy Freeman lighting the cauldron, those are the moments you're like, "Oh Gosh. <i>This</i> is the Olympic Games! <i>This</i> is what I was identified for a decade ago when I started at WAIS, this is it!"<br />
<br />
So you have to keep trying to put it out of your mind, just keep trying to think "It's just another competition, gonna do X-Y-Z like in training." But of course when you march into the arena and there's 15,000 people screaming for Australia it hits you pretty hard! And then you really just want to do your best. You go out there and you've just gotta be proud. The Australian public loves you no matter what. You're Australian and you made it to the Olympic Games, only 6 girls (back then!) made the team and we had 21 girls trialling. And you were one of those 6, you have to feel pretty proud of achieving that.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>"</b></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>The moment I finished that floor routine was amazing. There's no other words. Sensational.</b><b> I have to admit it took me three years to watch video of vault."</b></span></blockquote>
<b><br />
</b> <br />
<b>There was a lot of media hype leading up to the Olympics, especially after the Aussie women's program had such a great showing at '98 Commonwealths and '99 Worlds. How did Peggy prepare you all for that hoopla, and of course the gigantic stadium crowd? We've all heard about the infamous distraction tapes, but the noise is just off the charts in a stadium like that.</b><br />
<br />
Oh, it is! And you know, we had the Test Event, we had the trials in the venue. But the crowd aren't 15,000-strong. No matter how many distraction tapes Peggy played it's just not the same. I mean, we were prepared for an entire zoo to run through the stadium! But you're so heightened in your sensations. You're concentrating on what you're doing and you're not really concentrating on what anybody else is doing around you, but you still hear things no matter what happens because of course you're in a heightened state. You've got to be trained to not react. Things like mobile phones beeping, laughter, things that happen in real crowd situations. And obviously all the other funny sounds and animal sounds were just so you can not respond to something out of the ordinary - what if a fire alarm went off, what do you do? - so those tapes are great for that 'in the moment' competing but nothing prepares you for the sound. The depth of sound that comes out of a crowd is insane.<br />
<br />
I remember performing in, I think, the all-around competition. I'd messed up my first apparatus, I walked up onto the floor to complete my second routine of the day and was probably feeling a bit flat, you know, "I've got to get through this routine, now's a good a time [as any] to do my best to make up for what I've lost, and the crowd loves you no matter what." They'd forgotten about that first rotation and they were cheering and screaming and got me through that routine. And I did <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Pc-lrZ5Vw">a better routine </a>than I did on the first day because of them. Because of their unwavering support and the amount of energy you feel from the crowd, screaming for you. It's a feeling I'll probably never experience again in my career. How often do you get to compete to 15,000 people? A home crowd? Never. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Have you ever gone back on Youtube and re-watched the team preliminaries floor rotation? Although a tv broadcast doesn't quite compare to being there, you can definitely hear some of that huge crowd noise. And you even see a few people get to their feet for standing ovations, after you and after Trudy McIntosh, just <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX2EL7XaLTQ">hit routine</a> after <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGD6Vwg4hiA">hit routine</a>...</b><br />
<br />
I have gone back and watched a few things. Of course, what you feel as an athlete looks completely different to what the judges and the crowd see. And what the crowd sees is just the pure joy of performance. And you go back and you go, "Gosh I really hope that I portrayed what I was feeling." because at the time you're trying to be so controlled and restrained and keeping your nervous competitive energy in check. So you're trying to be in control but also you want to be sure that you're performing and showing that you really do love what you do. But I have gone back and watched and every time, it gives me goosebumps. Because I just remember the wave of emotions that I felt through the routine. Having "I Still Call Australia Home" wasn't just music. It was who we are as Australians and everybody went on an emotional journey with that routine. You could feel that through the crowd. And that, I think - I hope! - went into my performance level. The moment I finished that floor routine was amazing. There's no other words. Sensational.<br />
<br />
<b>I have to confess, I'm a serial re-watcher of that floor rotation.</b><br />
<br />
Really?<br />
<br />
<b>Yes! I was 14 at the time and I broke my VHS tape from constantly rewinding re-watching the Aussie round of prelims!</b><br />
<br />
(Laughs)<br />
<br />
<b>Now, in those prelims you ladies didn't have the happiest outings on vault or beam, but regrouped for an incredible floor rotation. Can you recall much about any pep talks you had with yourself, or with the team, to put it all behind you and step up for floor?</b><br />
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After vault... well... it is hard to come out in the first subdivision and compete. It took me three years, I have to admit, three years to watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ZBYxgJxxc">video of the vault rotation</a>. But I think... sometimes when you're performing something that's at your maximum capacity, you try too hard, and you have a little bit of self-doubt when you know it's a big moment and it unravels. But you do have to pick yourself up, and I think we did as a team. We didn't really talk too much, didn't really have a pep-talk, we personally all just regrouped. I think we just individually centred ourselves for the next apparatus. It was a momentous occasion, being in that moment, "Oh my God we're here at THE Olympic Games", it hits you pretty hard and strong.<br />
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There was less pressure going into Athens, going into Sydney there was an enormity of pressure. I had a camera 20 centimetres away from my face, and I remember saying to myself, "Don't cry. Be strong. Forget about it. Go and do the best bar routine you've ever done. It doesn't matter now. I can't change it." My score was thrown away anyway. They were never relying on my score to be a counting score in that time because it often was the 'backup' score. So I went into bars thinking "This is your event, this is the event you're brilliant at. This is the event that last year you scored a Perfect 10 on with that stick bonus." and you draw on those moments. You draw on all the times you've done those routines. You're like "How many times do you do that bar routine in a day?" So I relaxed into what I needed to do. I relaxed into who I was as an athlete. I wasn't as tense, I didn't have to be as tense because I'd just already made the biggest mistake I could possibly make. So "let's just be normal." It was almost like a pressure release so we just got on and did our job. You just do what you need to do. And strange things do happen at the Olympic Games but you just keep going.<br />
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Floor was probably the best apparatus to finish on for us because it gave us such a huge emotional lift. I remember in my routine, the one voice I heard during the entire floor routine was Min Cleland! Out of 15,000 people and I heard that voice! Because my ears were so attuned. I heard her and it helps you through. Honestly, I think it was one of <i>the</i> rotations of the Olympic Games for us for sure. And for the Sydney Olympics itself, for the Australian public. The Australian team on the most artistic apparatus, it was a way of giving to the crowd to thank them for their support. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">"You get to a point where you just accept that this is my story. This is who I am and I can't hide from that. Why hide from it?"</span></b></blockquote>
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<b>A lot of the media attention focussed on you and your mother, Barbara. Audiences were told of the unfortunate death of your father in a number of feature pieces. Right before you competed bars in the all-around final, NBC American aired <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9FL2ZDvh_o">its profile piece</a> where you and your mum talk about it quite candidly. There were people out there hearing your story for the very first time. If you don't mind my asking, what was it like to have to undertake that conversation together while you were still coping with it - "This very significant, personal thing is going to be asked about, our feelings are <a href="https://youtu.be/gfJYgA2BGw8?t=31m51s">going to be on show</a>." I think you both did amazingly well in the circumstances.</b><br />
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<br />
It obviously was a traumatic event, I found out while I was competing in Colorado Springs at the Junior Pacific Alliance. Coming back, I had to get back on the competition horse so to speak and put the emotional component aside, and those doubts and fears you have when it's something closely associated to when you heard about the tragedy.<br />
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I was watching a major swimming world championship with, I think it was Geoff Heugill... he got out of the pool, he'd just finished his race, they stuck a microphone into his face and said "How're you feeling, considering your dad's just passed on?" and I remember turning to my mum and saying, "That'll be exactly like that for me, won't it? If I become successful and get to the Olympic Games, that's going to happen to me isn't it?" And she was honest and she said "Yes. That's quite likely." My dad was the only Australian on that flight so it had already gained media attention.<br />
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I didn't expect to make the Commonwealth Games team a year later, I just went to trials to trial! I wasn't even in the realm of thinking about going to Commonwealth Games! So that was such a whirlwind, and of course it attracted a lot of media attention. In Western Australia I became a little bit of a "WA's Sweetheart", and you get to a point where you just accept that this is my story. This is who I am and I can't hide from that. Why hide from it? Because it is something I should be proud of, to be able to pick myself up and continue to compete to a high level and use an emotional charge that you get from a tragedy and use it for a positive outcome. My coaches didn't think I had that inner character, that strength, but I did. So that emotional strength filters through when you're doing interviews, and you just get used to answering the questions because it <i>is</i> my story. It inspires young people who've had difficult circumstances in their childhood, whether in sport or not, it does inspire them and gives them that connection: "Oh, all successful people don't<i> </i>have a smooth path." and if that's how I could inspire others, giving my story to the world was what it had to be. You're human and people want to see that you're human. I wouldn't have had it any other way.<br />
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A lot of that NBC stuff was filmed a fair way in advance. So quite a lot of the media hype was done with a fair distance between them being filmed and then the Olympic Games because they had a stop on all media contact with the team a good 8 weeks before Sydney, so we could focus on training. I think that really helped. That piece was filmed at the beginning of the year, NBC came out here and it was a technique that I'd never experienced before. Instead of questions being asked, I was sitting in a completely blacked-out room with a camera, so all you could see was a tiny red light and they gave you the book and wrote down, like a sentence, and it might say "The last time that I saw my father was, dot dot dot." and so you had this great need to fill the enormity of silence that was in the room, and I think you're a lot more genuine and honest. So I think that's why that piece was particularly moving for people. And I've watched it back and it's incredibly real. You're not forced to go there with that technique, you give of yourself a lot more. <br />
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<b>One thing I was hoping not<i> </i>to talk much about today was the Sydney all-around vault 'debacle', because I feel like you get asked about it a lot and it's been done to death.</b><br />
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I don't get asked a lot, to be honest. Because most people don't realise it was me! I mean, I know Svetlana Khorkina wrote about it in her book, I do know that! (Laughs)<br />
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<b>I have to admit I haven't read that book yet!</b><br />
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Yeah, it gets a reference. But the general public don't really know because it didn't get focussed on very much. I think the debacle as a whole was focussed on, rather than who found it and how-did-you-find-it. For me it was just, like, "There's a mistake. If that vault's the right height there's no way I'm landing on my feet, right?" (Laughs) I did 20 vaults a session, I knew how high the vault was, and as soon as I vaulted over it in warmup I knew. Always a great little question for quiz nights, I mean noone would know!<br />
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<b> I remember it coming up in an edition of International Gymnast last year</b>, <b>with "Quotes of the Year"</b> <b>there was one from you jut saying you were the one to spot the Sydney vault problem, and I was like "That's it? That's your quote of the year from Allana Slater? It's Allana frickin' Slater, people! Come on!"</b><br />
<b></b><br />
I think people forget! It was just the enormity of the mistake that was focussed on. But yeah, it's a difficult one. Should the competition have started again? Who knows. It's just one of those things. <br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Well, given that you didn't have your best performances on vault at that competition, what was it like making the transition to the vaulting table, that two years later saw you become Commonwealth <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrySvmEQOYo">vault champion</a>? Did it make things easier?</b><br />
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For me, the table was a way of having a new lease on life for vault. The whole table changed, and changed my life as an athlete. Because then... I didn't have a 'vault problem' because it was a new vault!<br />
<br />
I had to work really hard before Sydney, telling myself "I <i>am</i> good at vault, I can <i>do</i> vault." because you keep getting knocked back. From performance, from not scoring well, things like that. As an athlete I had to work hard to convince myself to have the confidence that I was good enought o do vault. And I'd tried every type of vault in the code by that stage. You didn't see me compete them all, but I can tell you I tried every combination of vaults back then. When the vault table came out it was like, "Great! I have the chance to be a vaulter!" That I could be the next Commonwealth vault champion was the joke in the gym... and what do you know, it happened! Mentally, I could lose all the stress of vault and start afresh.<br />
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Was I technically as strong on vault? No. Well, not as strong as those who had learned to vault using the table. And you'll see that through the girls who transitioned to the vaulting table, the horse used a slightly different technique especially for the Yurchenko. But you didn't start to learn and then build up, in one year between the Olympics and Worlds you <i>had</i> to have a whole new vault worth a good value. So you didn't have the time to work on having brilliant technique. I'm so proud of my efforts, that I could turn around my career from being a Nervous Nellie on vault to becoming Commonwealth champ. And having that confidence - I didn't doubt myself as much on vault in the second half of my career. I could be a vaulter, nothing was stopping me. There was this new, safe, whizz-bang table, so why couldn't I be?<br />
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Would I have loved to learn on it as a young kid? Absolutely. You'd have good technique, you were extremely safe, no missing your hands or anything like that. I think the table revolutionised vaulting for men and women. These days we're seeing stuff you could've only dreamed about back then.<br />
<br />
We got the vault table in the gym in maybe January, February of 2001. And some eight months later at Worlds you had to show up with decent vaults. I mean we all knew they weren't going to be huge difficulty vaults because nobody had had enough time to learn them. I remember at the World Championships training camp, my coach Nikolai was like, "I think we're going to try a Yurchenko 1 1/2!" and in <i>one week</i> before we left I learnt one, and then competed it.<br />
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<b>Woohoo!</b><br />
<br />
But that's an upgrade you never would have made with the old vaulting horse. It really did give me a new lease on life...Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-70719800129957329392014-12-30T22:44:00.003+11:002014-12-30T22:50:25.892+11:00Hello GoodbyeHi all.<br />
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Have yourselves a fantastic end of 2014 and start of 2015. Hope it finds you happy and healthy, wherever you are.<br />
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I don't know how much I'll be posting here in the new year, I never can tell each month how much gymnastics news I'll have the resources and patience to sit & write about - it almost seems fitting that in the last week of the year we get a bunch of nuggets featuring the senior WAGs.<br />
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But I'll definitely still be firing off regular updates <a href="http://twitter.com/ozgymblog">at Twitter</a>, as it's quicker and easier to update. It's a great up-to-the-minute resource for the sport. And I'm definitely not disappearing for good. <br />
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Thanks for all the support thus far - 6 whole years whAAAATTTTTT!!??<br />
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Be excellent to eachother. <br />
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Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-16308010679012405712014-12-17T23:01:00.000+11:002014-12-17T23:01:43.286+11:00Little Miss MediaDual silver medallist from Glasgow, Mary-Anne Monckton, is featured in two lovely media nuggets of late.<br />
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1. Monckton's former Victorian clubmate Ashleigh Brennan is branching out into blogging (wahey!) as part of her journey as a school fitness instructor and physiology Masters student. Her most recent entry features <a href="http://www.ashleighbrennan.com.au/archives/162">an interview</a> with Mez.<br />
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2. She was also interviewed by globe-trotting podcast hosts with the most <i>Gymcastic</i>, <a href="http://gymcastic.com/130-mary-anne-mez-monckton/#.VJFrhxnxZsM">talking about</a> her gymnastics career to date and recent injury recovery, including insightful stories from Glasgow and Nanning 2014. Some of them are just so precious!<br />
<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-33654549762036785822014-12-14T14:20:00.001+11:002014-12-30T22:45:17.168+11:00Flic Flac FlickKeep your eyes and ears out on the film festival circuit next year...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image via Collider.com</i></span></div>
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"The Bronze", an independent American comedy-drama about gymnastics will screen on the opening day of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Utah! Directed by Brian Buckley and with a screenplay co-written by star Melissa Rauch (pictured above), I read that that it also features one of my favourite comedy performers, <i>Saturday Night Live</i> sketchmistress Cecily Strong!<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i>"In 2004, Hope Ann Greggory became an
American hero after winning the bronze medal for the women’s gymnastics
team. Today, she’s still living in her small hometown, washed-up and
embittered. Stuck in the past, Hope must reassess her life when a
promising young gymnast threatens her local celebrity status."</i></span></blockquote>
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<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-87628179104733967752014-12-07T12:09:00.003+11:002014-12-08T17:33:37.302+11:00BREAKING: MEXICO OPEN LIVE!It's 12 Noon on Sunday - tune into day 2 of the Mexico Open at the link below!<br />
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Em is in first place after day one's 2 apparatus! :)<br />
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http://deportes.televisa.com/video/vivo/2014/12/04/abierto-mexicano-gimnasia1/<br />
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Update -<br />
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Em looks lovely in Commonwealth green and gold starting on beam.<br />
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Unfortunately she came off on her bhs loso series and had a big hop forward on her 2.5 twist dismount but was far less shaky than you'd expect for someone's very first meet back. She had nice form in her leaps and single wolf pirouette but there's definitely room for improvement. Final score was 12.600<br />
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<br />
Floor - fantastic effort for Emily! Using her 2012 music, Em rocked a tucked tsuk, double back tuck, 1/1 to 2/1 twist and STUCCCCCCCCK double pike for 13.350. She seemed a little tired come the last pass but greater stamina will come in time. This was a stellar effort from her and she should be very proud of her four routines!<br />
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<b>FINAL RESULT -</b><br />
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Wow wow wow. Ginormous congratulations to Emily who has finished 2nd AA in Mexico with 53.550 overall Ahead of the legendary Oksana Chusovitina!<br />
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<i> Images courtesy Abierto Mexicano Facebook</i><br />
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<b>See video of Emily's vault <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_27MEwB4OY&list=UUulBfstwyKvpu6w1WMzRXOw">here</a>, bars <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2YEzFfNt8g">here</a>, beam <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhcXlH4j8Pk">here</a> and floor <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyM0lAv8vgU&list=UUulBfstwyKvpu6w1WMzRXOw">here</a>.</b></div>
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Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-37848336731164235542014-12-04T20:44:00.002+11:002014-12-04T20:44:24.876+11:00Vamos Emily!Best wishes to Emily Little as she returns to international competition for Australia at the 2014 Mexico Open/<i>Abierto Mexicano</i> in the coming days.<br />
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<i>Yes, that's judge and WA gym legend Allana Slater with her!</i></div>
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Participants compete in mixed nation 'pairs', Em has been teamed up with Italy's Paolo Ottavi. <br />
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Check the official event Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/abiertogimnasia">here</a> and Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abiertodegimnasia?ref=ts&fref=ts">here</a>, Em features in some photos from the welcome function. Not sure who she's more starstruck about meeting - Oksana Chusovitina or Snoopy!<br />
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<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-77067404400375549892014-12-02T22:41:00.001+11:002014-12-02T22:41:21.769+11:00They Tried To Make Her Go To Rehab....For those interested in injury rehabilitation in gymnastics, or just plain keen to get inspired, check out dual Commonwealth Games silver medallist Mary-Anne Monckton's youtube channel.<br />
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"Mez" Monckton has been updating <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrxKPQpSyR95svO_YdBk3Q/videos">weekly video instalments</a> of her progress after surgery on a peroneal tendon (ankle) tear. She's been sporting a big ol' boot but that hasn't kept her away from the sport she loves.<br />
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Currently 4 weeks in, Mary-Anne's vlogs show her determined regime in and out of the gym, building up muscle strength and getting back into the swing of things on the trampoline and strap bar. We look forward to seeing this gutsy Victorian senior back on the floor in 2015, fitter than ever!<br />
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Follow more of Mary-Anne's updates at <a href="http://twitter.com/monckton07">Twitter</a>.Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-75336736790017164452014-11-18T22:34:00.002+11:002014-11-18T22:37:55.808+11:00Poster Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just announced - Emily Little to compete at the Mexico Open in December!<br />
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Details to follow once they are made known. The event website is <a href="http://abiertodegimnasia.com/">here</a> and Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abiertodegimnasia/timeline">here</a>.Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-7928686198943088342014-11-16T22:46:00.005+11:002014-11-16T22:46:57.813+11:00Massilia Mixed BagWhile the <a href="https://twitter.com/GymMassilia/status/533678340280811521">purple-powered Aussie trio</a> ended up out of the team medals in 10th, the positive news out of Marseille is that Georgia Godwin is through in first place to the Masters Massilia beam final with 14.133! She was also our highest AA finisher in 16th. It seems like not all of the three competed vault or bars or floor as we finished a trailing 10th on each of these, but the girls ranked an impressive 2nd overall on beam (Godwin 1st, Nedov 11th).<br />
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The event Facebook page to get scores and photos is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elite-Gym-Massilia/236806849808042?ref=ts&fref=ts">here</a>, videos from sessions are going up <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/piibunina/videos">here</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94vMcHUzBRHur77y-4X55w/videos">here</a>. Piibunina's account currently has GG's floor and Rianna's floor up and I'm sure more will appear over the next 24 hours.<br />
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<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-23123202783666406182014-11-04T19:05:00.004+11:002014-11-05T21:38:49.613+11:00Two La La!Gymnastics QLD confirmed today that sunshine staters Rianna Mizzen and Georgia Godwin are Marseille-bound! The pair will take on some of the world's best at <a href="http://www.elite-gym-massilia.com/">Elite Massilia</a>, November 14-16! Godwin is the 2014 National AA champion and Mizzen was a member of the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival team. <br />
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<i>Bon chance a deux!</i><br />
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<b><i>UPDATE WEDNESDAY:</i></b><br />
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Magnifique! Gymnastics Australia announced this afternoon that a third gymnast has been added to the delegation to France - beam wonder Emma Jane Nedov, fresh from her stellar Worlds debut! Go Em!<i> </i><br />
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<br />Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-75767773622901357032014-10-27T20:24:00.003+11:002014-10-27T20:25:06.780+11:00Nanning CatchupFor anyone that missed it at the time (and believe me, blink and you would have), an awesome Youtuber has put up Australia's bars rotation from 2014 Worlds prelims, the only ones captured on China TV.<br />
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Check out the individual routines <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYZubFB7ng2H10XbzM_zvlA/videos">here</a>.Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-52290882454298256562014-10-20T20:34:00.000+11:002014-10-20T20:34:09.968+11:00Whatever Happened To...... Waverley's Ulln (Yuleen) Sternberg?<br />
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<a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZcUl_20mxVA/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZcUl_20mxVA/maxresdefault.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Great news! The steady Ms Sternberg has followed the path of several Aussies and pursued collegiate gymnastics in the USA, recently joining the ranks at University of California for the 2014-2015 season.<br />
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Yuleen, who has also trained in Japan, had been spending quite some time in California, balancing schooling with gymnastics training at Head Over Heels Gymnastics. Her bars skills and vault confidence flourished at the centre, and she put herself up <a href="http://youtu.be/gHZlHeFu8QU?t=6s">for recruiting</a>. She will now proudly join the ranks of the 'Cal' Bears as an all-arounder, and <a href="http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=209654193">says</a> head coach Justin Howell:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="color: #274e13;">On the uneven bars, Yuleen has an amazing variety of skills from us to
choose from and we’re really looking forward to being able to make some
unique skill choices. She also has a very elegant line... Yuleen also brings experience with international competition, so she
knows what it’s like to compete and focus on difficulty level and
execution. It will really help her bring a polished look to her
collegiate performances.</span>"</blockquote>
Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575696150347887818.post-82873046232460643232014-10-14T17:13:00.003+11:002014-10-14T21:53:16.169+11:00You've Got MailRight on, <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-letters/our-filmmakers-must-support-our-films-20141012-3huqp.html">Nick from Malvern East</a>!<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">"The training and effort that goes into these performances puts other sports to shame...When will our media support sports besides the mainstream ones?"</span></blockquote>
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You tell 'em!<br />
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Oh, and marketing team that thought up the "nude bodypainted models" at the Women In Sport Awards? - You got your gymnastics mixed up and your integrity completely inside out. Big fail.Mezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16370137747840565343noreply@blogger.com7