GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

314: US Classic Preview with Mary Wise Jul 24, 2018

Show notes

U.S. CLASSIC PREVIEW

This week, we are joined by Mary Wise of Iowa Gym Nest, coach of Adeline Kenlin, to give us some updates on Adeline's progress and help us preview the U.S. Classic!

Jessica has many thoughts on IGN's decoration options
How Adeline is doing in her injury recovery and preparation for Classic
The IGN coaches asked questions of Kerry Perry at the Region 4 Congress. Were they satisfied with the answers, and what kind of information do the coaches want to be getting from USAG leadership?
Her thoughts on Tom Forster and what we, as fans, should know about him.

A Club Gym Nerd mini-commission from Sophie asks what the fans should do about this summer's competitions and how to reconcile fury at USAG—and unwillingness to give money to the organization— with a desire to ENJOY GYMNASTICS and support the gymnasts. Plus, the meet.

Simone's Return AJLKJWS:LDKJS:LDKHJ:LSHLKSJHFLJSAHD
Did we mention that Simone is back?
Simone.
The new seniors you must watch
Jade Carey – all-around star?
Who has the best opportunity to swoop in and win while the big girls only do bars and beam?
Who desperately needs a score from this meet?
Must-watch routines from Madelyn Williams, Emily Lee, Shilese Jones, and Olivia Dunne
50 juniors who are all definitely going to win the meet simultaneously
Previewing the new baby juniors who are about to become your obsessions

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Spencer BlogCast: American Classic Jul 18, 2018

Show notes

This week, it's a special Spencer Blogcast about the American Classic—and all associated streaming controversies. What happened? Why was it weird? And why is this nonsense entirely unsurprising coming from USAG? Plus, some routines or whatever! Playlist Jade Carey - bars Shilese Jones - vault Kara Eaker - beam, bars, floor Audrey Davis - bars Isabel Mabanta - floor Alyona Shchennikova - bars, beam Emily Lee - bars Deanne Soza - beam Madelyn Williams - bars Kayla DiCello - floor Aleah Finnegan - beam, bars

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313: Best Floor Routines EVAH! (Commissioned) Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

This week, we have a special episode commissioned by InterGalactic Champion level Club Gym Nerd member Dee, who requested an episode all about our favorite floor routines ever! We're so, so happy to oblige.

HERE is the YouTube playlist of all the routines we will be commenting on in the episode. We'll tell you when to press play, so you can watch along with us as we die of pretty (or hilarity). Plus...

The word "artistry"—how we feel about using the A word and how we personally define artistry in gymnastics floor routines
What qualities characterize our favorite floor routines
Why we won't shut up about Netherlands floor
The importance of keeping floor exercise weird
How subjective qualities like artistry can be evaluated numerically when determining scores
Why aren't choreographers the stars of gymnastics?

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FURTHER READING ON THE BALANCE BEAM SITUATION

European Championships Team Selections National Team Rankings - July 2018 Quad Records

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312: 4th Is the New 1st (Commissioned) Jul 04, 2018

Show notes

This week, we have a special episode commissioned by Club Gym Nerd member Queen Heather, who requested an episode all about memorable gymnasts and teams who finished 4th!

Part 1: The official induction of the inaugural class of the 4th Place Hall of Fame, recognizing their lifetime achievement in the 4th place arts.
- Aly Raisman and the London tiebreak
- Yelena Produnova and the travesty of the 1999 vault final, where Prod finished behind Olaru and Amanar.
- Shang Chunsong, Anna Pavlova, Vanessa Ferrari, Beth Tweddle, and Eva Bosakova

Part 2: 4th place heartbreaks
- Dominique Dawes and her 1993 vault (and 1994)
- Jordyn Wieber
- Jade Barbosa's 2011 vault final ankle-tastrophe

Part 3: When 4th place is awesome
- The Japanese women's team in 2016
- That time Sacramone got 4th. In the ALL-AROUND.

Part 4: 4th place debates
- The 2008 Olympic vault final–Sacramone v. Cheng
- The 2000 Olympic floor final–Justice for Moya

Part 5: 4th place men
- Kyle Shewfelt and the 2004 vault final debacle
- The 2012 men's team final and Kohei's phantom handstand

Part 6: A round of 4th place trivia, some fun 4th place factoids, and an important discussion about what award should be given to those who finish 4th.

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311: Tom Forster Is the New Martha Jul 04, 2018

Show notes

GYMTERNET NEWS

A mini bonus episode this week in which we discuss the latest urgent, somewhat crazy USAG developments that can't wait another moment!

Thoughts on the Kerry Perry WE HAVE GREAT INSURANCE keynote from last week's episode (HOLLA Iowa Gym Nest!) and the part that...doesn't really add up?
Tom Forster is the new High-Performance Team Coordinator for the US women
- Who is Tom Forster?
- Initial reactions to the announcement (like "phew" and "hrmm")
- The positive tone he's attempting to strike
- What the elite coaches think about the move
- How does someone who has been involved with USAG for decades convince the public that he can make change?
The changes we would like to see made to the camp system (they are many and extensive)
Why aren't the 2008 Olympic teams getting the traditional 10-year reunion at nationals?
The "Cowboy Hat Indictments" coming out of Texas
- Nassar and van Horn are indicted
- We revisit Debbie van Horn's role
- Martha seems totally off the hook. Why?

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310: Suspension and Sabotage Jun 27, 2018

Show notes

IN THE NEWS

To listen to audio recording of Kerry Perry's keynote address with Q&A's from Region 4 Congress go to timestamp 1:40:00
Alex Naddour has been added to the USAG list of Suspended Members (1:50)
- Bylaws 9.3 and 10.5
- What we know from the OC Register
- What we make of the timing and Naddour's response
- Our current multitude of frustrations with USAG
Brazilian Nationals SABOTAGE! (17:35)
- Guys. You guys. Someone cut the power lines to the venue before the second day of Brazilian Nationals so that the rest of the competition had to be canceled. We have conspiracy theories. They're excellent.
National Team Coordinator (28:13)
- Jessica has the latest on the search for a new NTC, and it's slightly horrifying.
- What happened when Kerry Perry gave the keynote address at Region 4 Congress (35:02)
Gymternet Things (53:46)
- Larisa Iordache: 50% chance to continue with gymnastics
- Laurie Hernandez to Gym-Max
- Marcia Frederick is suing USAG, USOC, Richard Carlson, and Muriel Grossfeld
- USAG appoints new Board of Directors

MEET NEWS (1:07:38)

Junior Pan Ams
- Some actual gymnastics!
- Team selection drama and temperature drama steal the show
Guimaraes World Cup
- Maisie and Manrique dominate
- Jorge Vega Lopez has a new, terrible nickname
- Yeo Seojong does a handspring front double full!
Guess who's back this week!
- It's Riley McCusker, Eythora Thorsdottir, and Sophie Scheder!
News roundup
- Eddie Penev and Sam Mikulak are working a 1.6 pass on floor — back 2.5 + front 2/1 + double front
- Jessica wants Spencer to guess how much Oleg makes and Spencer is no fun at all and the worst about it
- Khorkina is a coach for the Russian speed skating team. Because sure. Why would that be weird?
- Rhys McClenaghan has been left with no choice but to get his Vera Caslavska on and train outside like a folk hero

Full Audio Recording of Kerry Perry's Keynote Address/Q&A from Region 4 Congress (1:40:00)

Regional SafeSport directors, decentralized approach for policy interpretation (1:49:11)
Daniels Report 80% implemented (1:56:47)
Investigations "we need to know, what are the facts" (1:58:57)
How will USAG pay for settlements and remain financially viable? (2:18:20)
- Chief Legal Officer, Chris Tebo discusses insurance coverage and filing declaratory judgment action for defense costs.

INTERNATIONAL HANDSTAND DAY CONTEST

Congratulations to our winners!
- Jeannie Weir - Leaning Tower of Pisa Handstand
- Christine Traversa - Singing Handstand!
- Emily Hewitt - Baby's first handstand

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309: Perfect Form The O'Beirne Code Jun 20, 2018

Show notes

This week's episode is commissioned by Club Gym Nerd Member Anna, who requested an episode entitled "Perfect Form," saying, "Please discuss all your favorite gymnasts with execution according to the O'Beirne Code." O'Beirne Code, you say?!?!?! Don't mind if we do. Excuse us while we casually fix all of gymnastics in a single day. You're welcome.

The O'Beirne Code, defined: The intent behind the rules and integrity beyond the code
Is execution a synonym for aesthetic beauty? Should it be?
What is the perfect O'Beirne Code vault?
- Yang Yun
- McKayla Maroney
- Simone Biles
- Shannon Miller 1992 Compulsory, Optional
- DEBATE: Is it possible for an Amanar to have "perfect" form?
- DEBATE: The difference between a deduction and a mistake.
What is the perfect O'Beirne Code bars?
- Alma Kuc
- Ma Yanhong
- Courtney McCool
- Brittany Rogers' Stalders, with Vanessa Zamarripa's handstands, and Alaina Johnson's Ray
- DEBATE: What is the more aesthetically pleasing technique for a double layout?
- Dumb deductions in The Code .03 for walking under the bar after saluting.
What is the perfect O'Beirne Code beam?
- Fan Ye
- Bai Yawen
- Sarah Finnegan
- Kristin Furakawa
- Yang Effing Bo
- DEBATE: If we have deductions for leg and foot form, should we have deductions for arm and hand position?
What is the perfect O'Beirne Code floor?
- Daniela Silivas' 1988 compulsory floor
- Lilia Podkopayeva
- DEBATE: Jessica says something critical about Lilia Podkopayeva and it WILL NOT STAND
- DEBATE: Why are certain things deductions and certain things not? Do deductions need to have a good reason to exist?

READ ON

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308: 2004 Olympic All-Around Final (Commissioned) Jun 13, 2018

Show notes

This week's episode is commissioned by Club Gym Nerd Member Emily, who asked for an episode all about the 2004 Olympic All-Around final: "This meet made me fall in love with gymnastics. SO. MANY. TEARS." We begin this week with our 100% live, real-time commentary on the competition itself, AS WE WATCH IT. So, if you want to sync up and watch the meet along with us like the cozy little family we are, follow THIS LINK and press play when we tell you to press play. We have a heaping pile of thoughts about Khorkina (obviously), Carly, Pavlova, Romania, China, Ukraine, Le Pennec, Slater, and some of the worst leotards...just ever. After the commercial break we pick up the broadcast at the 58:17 time stamp. But that's not all! We'll also break down the epic NBC fluff (Deva castle, Round Lake-Chernobyl, Khorkina inventing hallways, reality show opening credits, a diva is magical—the usual), one of Trautwig's worst moments ever, and poor Carly's cringe-worthy appearance on Letterman following her gold medal (Part 1, Part 2).

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307: SHAME Congressional Hearings Edition Jun 06, 2018

Show notes

DUMPSTER FIRE NEWS

Steve Penny, Rhonda Faehn, and former MSU president Lou Anna Simon appeared in front of the Senate. You can check out the searchable transcript of the hearing, Rhonda Faehn's opening statement and submitted documents, and "Martha's" written statement.

Steve Penny takes the 5th a hundred million times and then hobbles out (SHAME!), but it doesn't really matter because now we have the emails
What we learned from Rhonda Faehn's answers and submitted documents
- 15 people within USAG knew about Nassar (IndyStar)
- Who the eff is Amy White and where does she fit into the medical records moving/destroying allegations?
- Sarah Jantzi's submission clarifies the timeline, and the timeline is BAD for Steve Penny
- How everyone was kept in the dark about Fran "Some Random Lady" Sepler
- The very telling texts between Rhonda and Gina Nichols
- Rhonda was never interviewed for the Daniels report, for the FBI, for any other internal USAG investigation, or for the INDEPENDENT ROPES & GRAY report. Wait...what?
Lou Anna Simon can't figure out how to turn on the mic after 150 tries and it perfectly summarizes everything about her statements.
A ghost named Martha Karolyi
- She did not appear because of medical reasons. YOU GUYS.
- We laugh about how she clearly wrote 0 words of her written statement and has the gall suddenly to recommend athlete chaperones.
Important ideas about the USOC charter

Plus...

Kerry Perry, the interim president of the USOC, and other representatives of NGBs appeared in front of the House, and it was terrible. We talk about how terrible it was.
WTF is the Athlete Task Force, and did Perry lie to Congress about it? We have a statement from USAG.
Why has Ron Galimore escaped consequences, especially after the Nassar-cover-story report (IndyStar), remaining COO of USAG and on the FIG executive board. We have a statement from the FIG below. It's not good.
- FIG Statment on Ron Galimore: "The FIG cannot specifically comment on the article or its contents, insofar as the allegations deal with events that took place nearly three years ago at a time when Mr. Galimore was not an FIG member. All events which occurred during the summer 2015 fall within the scope of an ongoing investigation; one mandated by the US Olympic Committee. This investigation, which is in progress at this time, is being undertaken by the independent law firm of Ropes & Gray. USA Gymnastics is cooperating fully with the investigators. It is our sincere hope, that when the investigation concludes, that all the facts relevant to not only the recent article, but the entire matter at issue will be fully brought to light by this investigation."
USAG is "reorganizing" its board, and the FIG is being sued. Whoopsie!
Some far-too-late resolution (OCRegister) in the Marcia Frederick case.

MEET NEWS

We have actual gymnastics to talk about as well!

Osijek (full broadcast)
- Varinska dominates, winning UB, BB, and FX golds. We swoon about her bars.
- Sighs for our cursed darling Zubova in the beam final.
- Yamilet Peña's vault...whaaaaaat was it?
Koper
- Steingruber pulls out an awesome rudi to win vault, shocking exactly one person
- DR. EPKE IS HERE
- Oliver Hegi and his coach really wanted to be in our Gymnastics Fails episode
Ellie Black and Shallon Olsen dominate Canadian Nationals, and Brooklyn Moors brings the necessary amount of comedy. Plus a round-up of major stories from other national championships, including NINA'S BARS.
The American Classic and Hopes Classic are coming to a Utah near you.

FUN STUFF

An important Bart Deurloo nut-injury update from BART HIMSELF
Gymnastics Greatest Stars is on YouTube!
Nastia did INVERTS on Ninja Warrior

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306: Gymnastics Fails (Commissioned) May 29, 2018

Show notes

This week's episode is commissioned by Club Gym Nerd Member Ryan, who asked for an episode all about GYMNASTICS FAILS—"the craziest, jaw-dropping-est, and most importantly hilarious instances when it simply wasn't someone's day—the most ridiculous falls, the wardrobe malfunctions, and infamous equipment fails. No one is off limits for gymnastics blooper reels. I want this episode to be lighthearted, nostalgic, and a reminder that gymnastics is a struggle for basically all of the human race at one point or another."

Time Stamps

Gymnastics Fail Challenge (2:43)
Vault and Bars (12:36)
Bart Deurloo and The Case of The Wondering Nuts (34:39)
Beam (38:10)
Floor (55:27)
Hilarious Saves (1:02:38)
Wardrobe Malfunctions including Stacey Ervin and the Case of the Escaped Nut (1:06:52)
Equipment Fails (1:13:20)
Oops I Forgot (1:17:51)

WATCH LIST

Follow along as we discuss each magnificent fail, which are linked in the order in which we discuss them.