GYMN-L Digest - 13 Oct 1995

There are 12 messages totalling 310 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

1. Bogin$kaya
2. Worlds Notes
3. Thanks to everyone
4. A Silly Article
5. World Gymnastic Results (2)
6. Gymnastics Professional Association(?) (2)
7. Front Tumbling
8. Tatiana Gutsu
9. gymn intro
10. intro & 60 minutes

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 12:37:37 +0100
From: ***@MICRONET.IT
Subject: Re: Bogin$kaya

>>It's a not a scandal in considering gymnastics as a remunerative sport. If
>>Svetlana could have the chance to take money thanks to her 16th AA place,
>>why not? For example, all the World's apparatus winners are participating in
>>theese hours at two exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka, taking 4,000 yen each. I
>>think they deserve it.
>
>I'm charmed to hear about the exhibitions. But 4,000 yen is about $50
>Canadian (about 75 Yen = Cdn $1), not even enough for train fare from Tokyo
>to Osaka, or two copies of the ORU (Japanese origami magazine). And at
>least one-tenth of what figure skaters get.
>


I'm so sorry, but I made a mistake typing 4,000. The right sum is: 400,000
yen (plus board and lodging). And it's not so bad: a guy like the romanian
Dan Burinca takes 200 $ per month.

Carlo

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 08:45:13 -0400
From: ***@YALE.EDU
Subject: Re: Worlds Notes

> Just a few comments/questions:
>
> 1. Why were only Bela and Liddick on the floor with the US team. Were
> they only allowed two coaches?

(unless something has changed) Only two coaches -- including at least one
woman -- are allowed on the floor during the team competition.

:)
Adriana

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 08:28:57 -0500
From: ***@VAXA.CIS.UWOSH.EDU
Subject: Thanks to everyone

Date sent: 13-OCT-1995 08:26:14

Just real quick, I'd like to thanks Esquires, for iding who the music
belonged to. But can anyone tell me what the music is? I've loved
it since I'd first seen someone use it.

And, to everyone who has requested a copy of the eating idsorders article.
Thanks, there have been a lot of you. If there has been anyone who has
requested it in the 24 hours (or in others words, before this post went
up), who did not receive it, please request it again. I think I caught
everyone, except the following person, whose site cannot receive right
now, and who I will be resending to.
***@carleton.edu (please mail me again)

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 10:13:47 -0400
From: ***@EAGLE.LHUP.EDU
Subject: Re: A Silly Article

Alex:

I am not critisizing Ms. Ryan for having a possibly factual point of
view, what I am critisizing is that she is presenting a one sided,
prejudicial view of the ENTIRE sport rather than getting a well balanced
survey from a variety of athletes. If she did her homework better she
would be a better journalist. But then maybe, her books wouldn't sell as
well.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Julie

> Dear Gymners,
> I know that this topic has probably been discussed to it's end when
> Joan Ryan's book came out, but i am relatively new on the list so mplease
> forgive me for my comment if it's already been discussed. Everyone seemed to
> have nothing but criticism over her book, but i for one reallly enjoyed
> hearing her point of view. Afterall, what is this forum: a place where
> everyone can express his or her point, without having cynical sarcasm about
> her particular point. I for one do not believe that Karoyli has never said
> anything to any of those girls about their weight. Just because Ryan's book
> is one sided does not mean that Kristy Philips, Erica Stokes or the Henrich
> family was lying. so before the one of you makes a rude comment about her
> particular viewpoint, take a minute to consider that maybe she is telling the
> truth, and maybe we all do need to look at our beloved sport a little closer.
>
> Just my 2 cents,
> Alex
>

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 11:18:51 -0400
From: ***@WAM.UMD.EDU
Subject: World Gymnastic Results

YEAH!
Even though the United States women did not exactly accomplish
what they wanted to do (which was, to win the competition), I am
especially proud of Shannon Miller's guts, determination, and her sacrifice
for her team. I laugh at all those NBC commentators who would *DARE* to call
Shannon Miller "over the hill"! She is definitely NOT and it seems kind
of awe-inspiring that she did what she did with an injury.
I can't wait to see the, predictably edited, broadcast of the
World AA this Saturday (?) or Sunday(?). ANyway...
Congrats to Lilia, I really like her, and out of all the other
gymnasts that were in the top 5, I think Lilia definitely deserved it.
I can't wait to see what will happen in Atlanta!
GO USA!!
Valerie

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 11:33:51 -0400
From: ***@WAM.UMD.EDU
Subject: Gymnastics Professional Association(?)

I really don't know if gymnastics should follow all the other sports (eg.
figure skating, hockey, baseball, basketball, etc.) and have proffesional
rankings. There are two reasons. First, a positive PLUS would be that
the proffesional alternative would offer more financial support for these
gymnasts, and it would definitely EXTEND the competition life of a
gymnast, BUT (Secondly) I question under what kinds of criteria would the
judges
mark the competitor? Gymnastics is not like Figure skating or Basketball
in the fact that it is SOO much harder to be lenient towards the level of
difficulty in a given routine. I think that while it would alot more
beneficial (eg. give more airtime to gymnastics, more endorsements, etc.)
to have professional ranks, but it would be extremely difficult to try to
balance artistic programs from powerhouse programs, and how to balance
each quality and come up with a good score.
Valerie
P.S.- What do y'all think?

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 11:42:35 -0400
From: ***@WAM.UMD.EDU
Subject: Front Tumbling

I just wanted to bring this subject up:
Do you think that front tumbling lies in the right direction for
gymnsatics to go? I don't know about you, but a routine with only front
tumbling in it looks watered down. I miss the whip-backs to tuck full
out passes that I used to see (eg. 1990 World's). I know that front
tumbling is VERY difficult to do, and probably more difficult than a back
handspring but it just looks awkward and a little bit "watered down". It
looks like one of those kinds of moves that you know are hard, but looks
very easy.
Now I'm not saying that front tumbling should go out alrogether!
I think it has some place in a routine, (eg. Lilia Podkapeva's technique
for front tumbling is INCREDIBLE!), but I'm not sure if it should DOMINATE.
What do y'all think?
Valerie

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 12:03:12 -0400
From: ***@GROVE.UFL.EDU
Subject: Tatiana Gutsu

Whatever happened to Tatiana Gutsu? Just wondering, I've sorta been out of
touch with gymnastics. Thanks!

Sara

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 14:08:26 -0400
From: "***@CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: World Gymnastic Results

> I can't wait to see the, predictably edited, broadcast of the
>World AA this Saturday (?) or Sunday(?). ANyway...

Speaking of which, last week USA Today did mention that ABC was
showing the team comp on Sunday. This week, I looked and there was nothing
of the sort. Is AA still on for Sunday?

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 14:37:57 -0500
From: ***@EXPERT.CC.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: gymn intro

Hello. My name is Aaron W. I am 18 years old and I am currently
attending Purdue University. I spent 3 years as a manager for my high school's
girls gymnastics team. I developed a great love for the sport. I have
always been a big fan of women's gymnastics. I am from Marion, Indiana....
Toward the end of my senior year (c/o 95) I took a judging test. Soon after
I was licensed by the Indiana High School Athletic Association to judge
girls' gymnastics....I have yet been able to "start". I would love to someday
be a coach for gymnastics. I became really involved with the girls on the
high school team. I really enjoyed helping them make up routines, give advice
and ideas, and so forth.
I am a big Dominique Dawes fan. I also have recently began to keep my eye on
Dominique Moceanu. it must be the name. The foreign ladies that I really
enjoy are Svetlana Khorkina(of course), Liliya Podkapayeva, Mo Huilon.....and
several other "old" gymnasts. The "new" class of gymnasts are looking very
promising to me. Especially Simona Amanar and the Romanian gymnast who
was last years JR champ. Her beam routine was very refreshing. I watched
the team competition this past Sunday. I was very excited the US brought
home the Bronze....but just think if Dawes, Chow, And Borden were there....
I am really looking forward to this Sunday's AA broadcast.
Thank you for your time...please bear with me if I did this incorrectly, if
you didn't notice, this is my first time on here. I am looking forward to
talking with ALL of you about gymnastics...

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 18:28:36 -0400
From: ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Gymnastics Professional Association(?)

>From my humble observation point, I see the main problem facing Gymnastics is
one of organizational structure (fragmentation) and collective marketing.
There are three competitive components that are at the Olympic level, Mens,
Women's and Rhythmic. But the masses are very young recreational athletes
and there are at least three recreational outgrowths for more advanced
gymnastically talented: Acro, Trampoline, and Cheerleading programs. So, we
have structural fragmentation in the sport. This keeps market synergy from
developing that might move the entire sport forward in stature, community and
media impact and profitability (translation: training funding for all
levels).

Gymnastics, like golf, tennis, track and field, basketball and swimming, has
male/female opportunity. But only golf and tennis really do a good job of
harnessing both sexes working together (and golf is questionable).

Men have got to find a way to add TO the sport rather than compete
independently or their opporunities will fade for financial reasons. I'm not
provideing any long, drawn out solutions, but until there is a synergistic
effort all throughout the sport, all entities within it will struggle.
Discussing the logistics of a professional division of gymnastics is a moot
point if the act is not together first. Just look at women's professional
basketball in the late 70's.

Just more food for thought to toss around!//Don

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Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 21:07:13 EDT
From: ***@PRODIGY.COM
Subject: intro & 60 minutes

I am the mother of a level 5 gymnast. In regards to the 60 minutes
piece IMHO I think they tried to be fair, but I think that they could
have shown more than just the Forsters opinion that you should be
able to have a healthy gymnast and a champion. I know that there
probably are gyms that want their girls to keep their weight low but
there are probably more gyms that want healthy athletes. I
personally know of one who had a girl whose sudden weight loss caused
great concern with the coaches. They talked with her and encouraged
her to gain the weight back. I would also like to note that they
would not let her compete until she started to gain back some of the
weight she lost. IMHO 60 minutes should have shown this side of the
story more.

IMHO opinion parents also need to be more aware of what's going on
with their child. The one thing that really struck me about the 60
minutes piece was how some coaches were talking to their gymnast in a
derogatory manner. The first thing I did after I saw this was to
talk to my daughter about how her coaches talked to her in the gym.
At this point I see no cause for concern but will continue to monitor
what is going on in the gym.

Thanks for bearing with me on this long winded spiel!!

TTYL LindaB

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 13 Oct 1995
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