GYMN-L Digest - 18 Sep 1995 to 19 Sep 1995 - Special issue

There are 20 messages totalling 515 lines in this issue.

Topics in this special issue:

  1. trials questios
  2. Scherbo's production
  3. TV Alert
  4. Mary Lou/Britain and new topic
  5. Mary Lou/Britain and New Topic
  6. Top Ten Olympic Ticket Requests
  7. New Topic
  8. Olympic Ticket Requests (& Other Stuff) (3)
  9. 7-6-5 rule
 10. Top Ten Olympic Ticket Requests/ & RSG
 11. Eating disorders article
 12. injuries
 13. Retton (Comments from Sarah)
 14. world coach (2)
 15. Monceanu
 16. Article and coaches and difficulty
 17. Introduction and Newcomer-type questions!

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Date:    Mon, 18 Sep 1995 23:27:57 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: trials questios

| Also, what did Moceanu change to make her routine at 10.0 at trials when it
| was out of a 9.9 at Nationals.

Which routine?

Sorry, I meant her floor routine. In Nationals it was out of a 9.9 in both
the all-around and the event finals, but it's out of a 10.0 at world trials.

I'm sorry to hear Borden's off the team. Withouth her and Dawes, as talented
as the other gymnasts are, I think the team is pretty weak.

LeeAnn

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 11:56:10 +0200
From:    ***@MICRONET.IT
Subject: Scherbo's production

Does anyone know where's the head office of AL.VI. Scherbo inc. and what
does it produce?

Thank you.

Carlo

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 07:36:04 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: TV Alert

I thought Retton did just fine.

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 08:11:32 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Mary Lou/Britain and new topic

After reading the British perspective on Mary Lou, I just wanted to mention
that there are some cultural differences at work here.  I have lived in both
places, and I think Americans are generally more effusive and expressive in
daily life than the British.  The British value politeness and a quieter way
to express themselves in a way Americans don't always understand.  What
Americans interpret as open and expressive or "cute" or "bouncy," therefore,
might culturally be not as acceptable in Britain.

I'd like to open a new topic...a lot of people on the list have mentioned
that this or that gymnast is injured.  The list seems tremendous, from Jennie
Thompson to Amanda Borden and Dominique Dawes.  Does anyone feel there's a
warning signal here, when so much of our brightest talent is on the sidelines
with injuries?  Is something going wrong?

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:07:19 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Mary Lou/Britain and New Topic

After reading the British perspective on Mary Lou, I just wanted to mention
that there are some cultural differences at work here.  I have lived in both
places, and I think Americans are generally more effusive and expressive in
daily life than the British.  The British value politeness and a quieter way
to express themselves in a way Americans don't always understand.  What
Americans interpret as open and expressive or "cute" or "bouncy," therefore,
might culturally be not as acceptable in Britain.

I'd like to open a new topic...a lot of people on the list have mentioned
that this or that gymnast is injured.  The list seems tremendous, from Jennie
Thompson to Amanda Borden and Dominique Dawes.  Does anyone feel there's a
warning signal here, when so much of gymnastics' brightest talent is on the
sidelines
with injuries?  Is something going wrong?

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:47:46 -0400
From:    ***@PANIX.COM
Subject: Top Ten Olympic Ticket Requests

From today's New York Times, the 10 sessions most requested by ticket buyers:

10. Diving (men's platform prelims)
 9. Baseball (gold medal game)
 8. Gymnastics (EF: men's FX, PH & R; women's V & UB)
 7. Basketball (men's bronze and gold medal games)
 6. Gymnastics (women's team compulsories)
 5. Diving (women's platform prelims)
 4. Gymnastics (women's team optionals)
 3. Gymnastics (EF: men's V, PB & HB; women's B and FX)
 2. Gymnastics (women's AA final)
 1. Opening Ceremony

*Now* can we get better TV coverage??

Debbie

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 09:11:55 -0500
From:    ***@VAXA.CIS.UWOSH.EDU
Subject: Re: New Topic

Date sent:  19-SEP-1995 09:07:25

Someone just opened a new topic for discussion. I think it is very
noteworthy to point out that a lot of gymnasts are out injured, and
it is certainly not new that people are commenting on it (IG made the
point after the 1994 individual worlds that the new Code was forcing
gymnasts to try new and harder skills, and thus getting injured).
But, I think right now, in the case of the US, most of them are fluke
injuries. Dawes has a stress fracture, which, to my understanindg,
is the result of time. Powell tripped over a mat, for goodness sake,
which caused the original injury and probably got the sparined ankle
trying to protect the knee.As for Jennie Thompson, my personal belief
about the girl is that she and her coches pushed her too hard, too soon.
Right now, I think it is a matter of bad luck at a very inconvient
time. Minor injuries are a way of life in gymnastics.

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 10:33:44 EDT
From:    ***@EOS.NCSU.EDU
Subject: Re: Olympic Ticket Requests (& Other Stuff)

> From today's New York Times, the 10 sessions most requested by ticket buyers:
>
> 10. Diving (men's platform prelims)
>  9. Baseball (gold medal game)
>  8. Gymnastics (EF: men's FX, PH & R; women's V & UB)
>  7. Basketball (men's bronze and gold medal games)
>  6. Gymnastics (women's team compulsories)
>  5. Diving (women's platform prelims)
>  4. Gymnastics (women's team optionals)
>  3. Gymnastics (EF: men's V, PB & HB; women's B and FX)
>  2. Gymnastics (women's AA final)
>  1. Opening Ceremony

Would you believe that of the the six choices I made, five of them are
here?  #2, #3, #4, #6, AND #9.  Plus, I had #8 as an alternate.  I sure
can pick'em, can't I?  My question is, where are all of these people
during normal competitions during normal years?  Do people say, "hey,
it's the Olympics!  Let's go see the gymnastics!  The U.S. always does
good in gymnastics!"  I wonder how many folks who want to see the
Olympic competition went to the Budget Invite a couple months back.  I
would have, but being an east coast college student with little money
kinda hinders me from going out to San Jose whenever I want.  Ugh!  I
did sit through several hours of Level 8's on a few occasions, though.

Pardon me, rambling madman coming through. . .

 --Brent

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 10:27:14 -0400
From:    ***@PHOENIX.PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: 7-6-5 rule

Hi!
I have a question about the format of the worlds.  Since this is the
first worlds in which the 7-6-5 rule will be used in a team competition
that qualifies gymnasts to the all-around, I have some questions.  Since
the team coaches choose who competes on each event, it seems they can, in
actuality, choose who makes it into the all-around.  What would prevent a
team coach (of a strong team) from having each of the bottom four girls only
compete 3 events, thus locking the top three gymnasts from the team into
the all-around?  It would be such a shame if someone like Kerri Strug did
not get to compete all 8 routines of the team competition, and therefore
had no chance to make it to the all-around.  While I agree that the new
system will give the teams more opportunity to do well, it also will take
away the drama of seeing who qualifies to the all-around.  We all know
that there can be unexpected errors by team leaders (Zmeskal and Gutsu in
the 1992 Olympics come to mind).  Only, now there may be no chance for
another member of the team to grab the spot into the all-around.
Just curious-is there any way to prevent the coaches from predetermining
their country's representatives to the all-around?  Along the same
lines-now that we know
the official team rosters, when will we know who will compete each event?
-Emily

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 12:25:05 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Top Ten Olympic Ticket Requests/ & RSG

> 8. Gymnastics (EF: men's FX, PH & R; women's V & UB)

> 3. Gymnastics (EF: men's V, PB & HB; women's B and FX)

So the event finals are being divided into two days each for men and women?


Anyone know if rhythmic will be have event finals as a medal event?


Amanda

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 12:55:32 -0500
From:    ***@VAXA.CIS.UWOSH.EDU
Subject: Eating disorders article

Date sent:  19-SEP-1995 12:53:17

*grins* I know I'm asking for it, but here we go anyway. I recently
had an article on eating disorders published in our school newspaper.
I'd like to post it to the list, and get some reaction, and see how
you all think it applies to "real life." Am I allowed to put it up
here? If so, I will do so.

On the same thread, I'm like to type in an editorial that was in
IG regarding Sandy Woolsey's dismissal/non-selection to the 1991
team. Is that possible as well?

Thanks.
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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 12:51:28 -0600
From:    ***@HARRIER.SASKNET.SK.CA
Subject: injuries

Faye wrote:
>I'd like to open a new topic...a lot of people on the list have mentioned
>that this or that gymnast is injured.  The list seems tremendous, from Jennie
>Thompson to Amanda Borden and Dominique Dawes.  Does anyone feel there's a
>warning signal here, when so much of our brightest talent is on the sidelines
>with injuries?  Is something going wrong?

I feel there is a warning signal here, but not the type of one most people
would think of right away.  I think one of the major problems is lack of basics.

Since the '93 Code was introduced there have been more injured gymnasts
than I remember through all my years following gymnastics.  And IMHO this
is one of the easiest Codes since the mid-70's.  Does this not indicate
a problem?  If the gymnasts of today can't go back to doing front-front
vaults, front fulls, and release free bar routines, then there is certainly
a problem.

Now, I'm not saying all of these gymnasts are injured due to a lack of
basics or due to improper technique;  because not all injuries happen
like this.  Some injuries are just an accident (ie - Powell, and I
assume Borden, et al...)

When accidents like this happen, though, one has to wonder about fatigue.
Perhaps being over-worked attributes in a big way towards injuries ... even
the accidental ones.  (I know I'm clumsy/er ;-) when I'm over-tired!)

The other possibility we have to face is that not all bodies are meant
for elite gymnastics.  But don't get me wrong, I'm not at all talking
about height or weight.  I mean things like bone structure, etc.  It is
simply not healthy for some bodies to be in training like that.  I don't
want to start another topic here, because every gymnast has the right
to go as far as he/she wants in the sport.


Jennifer wrote:
>(IG made the
>point after the 1994 individual worlds that the new Code was forcing
>gymnasts to try new and harder skills, and thus getting injured).

I really have to disagree with this.  There's just no comparing a
front-full and a full-in...  The vast majority of gymnasts drastically
*decreased* their difficulty after the '93 Code was introduced.


Time to shut up!  Sorry to ramble on.

Comments?

DORY

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 16:03:52 -0400
From:    ***@ZEUS.TOWSON.EDU
Subject: Re: Retton (Comments from Sarah)

        Once again, I think it is important to mention that Mary Lou's
biggest contribution was to make gymnastics in the United States
the #1 or #2 Olympic sport (figure skating being the other).  Thus,
Mary Lou's impact was felt to a larger extent by those not in the
gymnastic community. Of course membership in gymnastics clubs in
the U.S. went up, but otherwise in a technical sense she did very
little.  I still like Mary Lou, but I understand where others are coming
from.
        Mikester Bee

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 16:20:25 -0400
From:    ***@ZEUS.TOWSON.EDU
Subject: Re: world coach

        It would be good if there could be three coachs.  Forster
deserves to be a coach having three gymnasts on the team.  I think
though having Karolyi and Nunno would be best for the team.  Here is
why:
        1. Both coaches are very experienced in the World Arena, and
           could be a great asset in this way.
        2. Karolyi and Nunno seem to get along much better than they used
           to.
        3. Both have only one athlete on the team.
        4. With Moceanu and Miller securely #1 and #2 they will
           compete in the last two positions, and there shouldn't be
           any of those fights.
Hopefully because of these reasons they can do the best for the U.S.
team as a whole.

        Mikester Bee

> I'm confused about the procedures used to pick the coaches for
> international competition.  I thought I read on the gymn page on the web
> that the men's Olympic coach was already picked, and yet the women's
> world coach is still unsure.  If it were to be Karolyi and Nunno (each
> with only one athlete, granted that they are the top two), what rationale
> would be behind the exclusion of Forster (with three athletes, if Dawes
> withdraws)?  Also, do the athletes get any say in who is chosen?  If a
> vote is used, is it by the coaches of the team members or by USA
> gymnastics officials?
> Thanks
> Emily
>

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 15:21:31 -0600
From:    ***@ZEPHYR.MEDCHEM.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: Monceanu

All this talk about what Monceanu did on th FX at World trials and Nationals
makes me wonder: Anyone know what she can do? People said Bela was talking
like this was the very watered down routine. Can Monceanu do layout double
sides or something else?


Anyone know what her "true" difficulty is?


Jeff

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 15:42:18 CDT
From:    ***@PROCTR.CBA.UA.EDU
Subject: Re: world coach

Why not Mary Lee Tracy?  I think they need a female influence as
well.  Kelly Hill did a very good job last year.

Shawn

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 16:27:15 -0400
From:    ***@ZEUS.TOWSON.EDU
Subject: Re: Olympic Ticket Requests (& Other Stuff)

        I think Brent poses a very good question about why no one
was at San Jose, but everyone wants to go to gymnastics in Atlanta.
My own personal opinion is that it is because everyone knows that there
will be gymnastics in Atlanta.  In the case of San Jose and earlier this
year in Fairfax (Visa Challenge) there was very little general public
advertising.  I think more people outside of the gymnastics world would
buy tickets if they knew that the meets were happening.
        The Mikester Bee

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 15:53:59 -0500
From:    ***@VAXA.CIS.UWOSH.EDU
Subject: Re: Article and coaches and difficulty

Date sent:  19-SEP-1995 15:50:23

1)The article on eating disorders is bound to start some discussion.
Fine. If you hate it, tell me. If you love it, tell me. But if you
are going to flame me or the writing style, all I ask is that you keep
it private. Anything else is fair game, i guess.

2) The coaches for worlds are Nunno and Karolyi. Fine. All I want
to see is a fair shake for the others athletes. Moceanu should not
be going up late in the line up on either floor or bars. Strug and Thompson
and probably even Chow should be in front of her. On floor, Strug should
be placed ahead. I'm just worried that, especially with Strug, the other
athletes positions might be compromised.

3) All I did was quote IG. There have been a rash of injuries since
the new code, and I think it is because gymnasts are trying stuff
that they shouldn't be yet. I guess that comes down to basics, but
it is the difficulty that is the problem.

OK, that's it. BYE

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 16:55:08 -0400
From:    ***@CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: Olympic Ticket Requests (& Other Stuff)

>        I think Brent poses a very good question about why no one
>was at San Jose, but everyone wants to go to gymnastics in Atlanta.
>My own personal opinion is that it is because everyone knows that there
>will be gymnastics in Atlanta.  In the case of San Jose and earlier this
>year in Fairfax (Visa Challenge) there was very little general public
>advertising.  I think more people outside of the gymnastics world would
>buy tickets if they knew that the meets were happening.
>        The Mikester Bee

        Yes, but do people go to meets because they know that they're
happening and then can go to them, or if they're really interested, can't
they just make some effort to find out?  I still think the general public
only really perks up during an Olympic year, and for the other three they
wouldn't know what was going on if they walked into the meed.

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Date:    Tue, 19 Sep 1995 17:39:51 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Introduction and Newcomer-type questions!

Dear Gymn People:
Hi!  I am new to the list & have several questions for you all.  My name is
Meg, and I have a 9 year old son, Patrick,  who is new (10 months or
so) to gymnastics and passionate about it.  He spends every waking hour
talking about the move he's working on, or jumping on the trampoline in the
back yard or counting the minutes till he goes to the gym next.  Which leads
to my questions:
1. The gym he goes to really only has one class a week for boys of his age
and ability.  How do I find out about gyms in the area (Southeastern Mass. )
with more active boys' programs?  He seems to have some talent/ability. He
definitely has the desire for more.
2. People always ask, "What level are you at?" and he wants to have an
answer. His gym just calls the classes beginner and advanced, since their
boys don't compete. Can somebody give me a quick and dirty guide to levels in
boys gymnastics?
3. Does anybody have any general advice for a parent, particularly of a boy,
in this sport?

Thanks so much for your help!

--Meg

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 18 Sep 1995 to 19 Sep 1995 - Special issue
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