GYMN-L Digest - 11 Jun 1996 - Special issue

There are 18 messages totalling 607 lines in this issue.

Topics in this special issue:

  1. More WAG:National Championships
  2. John Macready/Lisa Macready
  3. GYMN-L Digest - 10 Jun 1996
  4. Karoli Choreography (2)
  5. GYMNastics on the radio
  6. Media coverage of gymnastics (fwd)
  7. Karolyi choreography
  8. US of A Nationals: WAG (VAULT)
  9. HOPELESS! (was Karoli Choreography) (3)
 10. GYMN-L Digest - 10 Jun 1996 to 11 Jun 1996
 11. Karolyi chor.
 12. M/W Post-US natls prognosis
 13. GYMN-L Digest - 10 Jun 1996 to 11 J
 14. JO mens Program and Team '96
 15. Fwd: one

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 12:35:49 PDT
From:    ***@AMDAHL.CO.ZA
Subject: Re: More WAG:National Championships

And in a recent isuue of IG, Kelli hill says, "Dominique thinks the world of

Jaycie, I can't imagine there ever being unfriendly competition between
them."

---------------Original Message---------------
Actually in regard to what was said about the women's team not liking
each other, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Dawes and miller are great friends, as well as miller, strug, and
thompson.  I also remeber borden saying how much she like dawes fontaine,
strug and miller.  I think that the reason they show no team spirit
during competitions is related to their coaches attitudes.
Alisa

----------End of Original Message----------

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 08:12:47 CDT
From:    ***@PROCTR.CBA.UA.EDU
Subject: John Macready/Lisa Macready

Does anyone know if John Macready and Lisa Macready, formerly of
Univ. of Nebraska women's team, are related?  They kind of look a
like.

Shawn

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 09:43:00 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: GYMN-L Digest - 10 Jun 1996

What I want to know is where is Trent Dimas, I heard he was going to try and
make the 96 Olympics too. Does anyone know?
also Congrats to Shannon, although I doubted her she has really held up. and
good luck to Jaycie Phelps and Vanessa Atler!
Sara

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 09:49:59 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Karoli Choreography

I'm sorry, but I think that the Karoli's win first prize for the worst
choreography in the world. I remember in '92 just laughing at Kerri Strug and
Kim Zmeskals rediculously choreographed floor sets and now they are forcing
Dominique Moceanu to make a fool of herself. I think she is really talented,
but I wish she would just wake up and go to a real coach, like Steve Nunno.
You would think she would have learned after the '92 Olympics when the U.S.
women failed (except for Shannon as usual). Not to be totally critical, I
will say that the us girls have improved greatly since '92 especially in
there difficulty. I remember Elfi and Tim raving about the girls doing full
ins dismounts off bars, and only the best did double layouts, now practically
everyone does double layouts. The women have improved, yes, the US men on the
other hand, one word comes to mind: HOPELESS! First of all Scott Keswick
always manages to fail at major competitions, John MacReady, ha ha, ha ha,
lets not even get into it, he's good on floor and thats it. Mihai Bagu is
usually pretty good, awesome floor set, I love the arabian double front.
Trent and Chris,you had your chance in '92 you blew it, not to mention the
fact that they are like 30. I really like John Rothlisburger, he is the only
good one. And what happened at Nationals? Like every single guy fell of the
pommel horse, I mean they have been doing the exact same routines for what 20
years? come on guys, get a grip. The U.S guys are going to be BLOWN AWAY by
everybody at the Olympics especially Belarus, Ivan, Vitali, and Russia, Alexi
Nemov is unbeatable, and some of China's guys are awesome. I am also sick of
these cheap unentertaining front passes in the floor routines, I mean Blane
opened with a front full ? ? What is that?? I know that the code gives them a
high value, but still they should think of us at home, we dont want to watch
front layouts and fulls that we can already do ourselves. I think that John
Rothlisburger has the best variety in his floor routines, good combos, big
tricks. Anyway, thats all the ripping apart I will do for now

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 08:58:20 +0200
From:    ***@MERCUR.USAO.EDU
Subject: Re: GYMNastics on the radio

it's strange that no one's ever heard of gymnastics being broadcasted on
the radio. the local sports radio channel had full, live coverage of the
olympics, including gymnastics. lots and lots, with commentary on
athletes that wouldn't be on tv, like the israli woman (i can't remember
her name) british, belgum, dutch ect... i did have this on tape, but soon
after that my house was broken into, and they where stolen. (sob)
during the olympic festivil in oklahoma city, kelly garrison did radio
comentary of the gymnastics events. she explained a lot of what we
missed. and her comentary was one step above the one that was doing it on tv.
since i'm in oklahoma city, the local media have decided that if miller
isn't in the competion, it's not news. her "failure" worlds was covered,
but nothing about who won, that wasn't news i was told. sabe wasn't
covered at all because she didn't compete. i kind of feel sorry for her,
all the tv interviews after nationals focused on the fact that she
"failed' on the beam, and she kept apologizing to everyone. when really
she should be proud, after all, she won.
about the papers, and  the coverage, the georga paper might do different
'editions' for the diffrent parts of their readership. the oklahoman
covers OU gymnastics, but only in the sections that are read in okc or
norman, the rest of the state usually gets horse racing results.
i'm glad to see mohini qualify for the olympic trials. she is one of my
fav gymnasts, one of the reasons i like her, is because she persevers,
when many would just give up. and i'm proud she won an individual medal
at nationals, way to go moh!!!!!
this is a really dumb question, but i must ask it, why are the isreali's
part of the europen championships.

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 09:39:04 -0500
From:    ***@MAIL.COIN.MISSOURI.EDU
Subject: Re: Karoli Choreography

> choreography in the world. I remember in '92 just laughing at Kerri Strug and
> Kim Zmeskals rediculously choreographed floor sets and now they are forcing
> Dominique Moceanu to make a fool of herself. I think she is really talented,

Ridiculously choreographed floor sets? I seem to remember that at the
time, both girl's sets were some of the best routines around, especially
Kim's routine which implemented elements (i.e. the triple whip back
tumbling run) which no other gymnast, in my recollection, could pull off.

> but I wish she would just wake up and go to a real coach, like Steve Nunno.

Steve is a good coach, but let's not forget that Bela is the one to have
coached some of the best gymnasts ever (ex. Nadia, Mary Lou, Kim). So,
don't give him short shrift, especially to Nunno. He is not the best by far.

> You would think she would have learned after the '92 Olympics when the U.S.
> women failed (except for Shannon as usual). Not to be totally critical, I

Failed? They earned the bronze team medal, which, I beleive, was the best
showing for the women's team for a long time. Shannon is only human; she
can fall just like the rest of them...and she will, too, one day.

I am all behind Dominique - she has the talent, she has the coach, and
she has the drive to win the all-around in Atlanta.

--Michael :)

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 10:05:01 EDT
From:    ***@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU
Subject: Media coverage of gymnastics (fwd)

Garlfar said:

>Yes, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution did have 2 little articles on rhythmic
>gymnastics. So, technically, they did "cover" the rhythmic national
>championships last week. I, unlike Beth, on the other hand, do not consider
>a brief article on Jessica Davis, and no listing of the results of the
>competition, as real coverage of an event.

As well as the article on Jessica Davis, there was an article on Becky
Turner (candidate for the U.S. Olympic group team).  Results for the all-
around competition were given on the "Scoreboard" page of the AJC.

>When the AJC "covers" baseball, they don't just say the Braves won, or the
>Reds lost to the Padres. We see scores, statistics, and sometimes pictures.
>The AJC can printed the results of every PGA golf tournament, minor league
>baseball, some obscure tennis match overseas, bowling scores, the fishing
>forecast (and people in Atlanta don't go fishing), and who won at the pogo
>jumping finals. EVERYDAY. You mean to tell me that they can't post the
>results of the U.S. Classic, the rhythmic national championships, and even
>the national championships? A few crumby articles about Shannon Miller and
>an very occasional short article about another well-known gymnast (always
>around the time of a big competition) doesn't qualify as real gymnastics
>coverage.

During the recently held mens/womens artistic gymnastics competitions, the
AJC had articles on John Macready, Coach Peter Kormann, Amanda Borden,
Jay Thornton as well as photographs of each (including John Roethlisberger).
Individual scores were also included on the "Scoreboard" page each day for
both mens/womens.

I personally think the AJC has been doing the best job possible considering
the fact that there are MANY pre-Olympic trials/competitions/events/human
interest stories etc. going on at the same time (both now, in the
last couple of months and in the next few weeks).  I'm sure every fan
of ANY of the Summer Olympic events would have a similar complaint about
the lack of media coverage for their particular favorite event.  I enjoy
gymnastics and relish readings any and all articles regarding the sport.
However, I might feel the same about badminton and in that case I WOULD
have a reason to complain.

By the way, when was the article about the pogo jumping finals -- I must
have missed that article.  So who won??????

>I  know from personal experience- TAKE WHAT YOU SEE IN THE MEDIA WITH A GRAIN
>OF SALT. This isn't just about gymnastics, it's about everything. There is
>always more to the story, than what meets the eye.

This statement could apply to other things as well as the media -- maybe
even Discussion Lists?    :-)

Beth-

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 08:38:43 +0100
From:    ***@ASUCLA.UCLA.EDU
Subject: Karolyi choreography

Dont make me laugh...

Geza Poszar (his choreographer) should be tried for war crimes for bringing
misery to the lives of millions worldwide... women and children were not
spared.

Love,
Me

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 11:12:01 -0600
From:    ***@ZEPHYR.MEDCHEM.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: US of A Nationals: WAG (VAULT)

Anyone know why the 0.1 bonus was not used this year at Nationals? Or was it?


Bonus was for throwing two different vaults last year.



Jeff


Dina, Dina, Dina.

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 09:24:32 -0700
From:    ***@IX.NETCOM.COM
Subject: HOPELESS! (was Karoli Choreography)

> Trent and Chris,you had your chance in '92 you blew it, not to mention the
> fact that they are like 30. I really like John Rothlisburger, he is the only
> good one.

Here is a little Olympic History, John:  In Barcelona, 1992, Trent Dimas "blew
 it" by winning a the only Gold Medal that Vitaly Scherbo didn't take.  Wow!  You're
 right, he blew it!!!

> I mean they have been doing the exact same routines for what 20
> years? come on guys, get a grip.

Actually, many if not all of the guys have upgraded their routines from Sabae.
 The top 7 scores C/O from USA's are considerably higher than their AA team scores from
 Sabae. So to answer your question, no, they haven't been doing these routines for 20
 years.

> but still they should think of us at home, we dont want to watch
> front layouts and fulls that we can already do ourselves.

I will pass the word-- I am sure they will be more than happy to change their
 Routines for your viewing pleasure.

I am just amazed at the comments I read here by all the armchair Brevet judges
 after a televised competition.


Kris Bagiu

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 12:55:35 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: GYMN-L Digest - 10 Jun 1996 to 11 Jun 1996

>1.US men as hopeless as ever. I see undertrained, basic-free, basement
>level difficulty totally oblivious to their real placement in the world.
>Macready is doing a highbar set at 1985 difficulty(and because of his great
>form, I actually like him). Not really fair to single him out, because
>there are so many examples. Wilson does seem to have a good level of diff.,
>but are ohio state gymnasts genetically incapable of pointing their feet?
>It is a shame that the one hardworking guy we seem to have, Rothlesberger,
>has no one to back him up. I'm amazed at all the comments about Bill Roth's
>"surprising" breakdown. Has this guy ever hit 6 for 6 in his entire life?
>It was totally expected, as he seems to be incapable of taking gym
>seriously enough to compete at a high level. Considering the amount of
>funding so many of these guys are getting, I would expect a higher level of
>seriousness and a better result for the money.

I wonder if you were at the same Championships that I was.  The men looked
pretty good, with a lot of potential for the future from our younger
gymnasts.

I want to know where you get off making accusations about the guys' training
and work ethic?   Have you been in the gym with them?  Or are you part of
that very strident MINORITY (and I do mean a small minority) of people in
women's gymnastics who celebrate the girls success by slamming the guys'
developing program?

Your pointed criticism of Bill Roth is out of line.  Contrary to your
beliefs, a gymnast can show his love and enjoyment of this sport and still be
successful.  Bill is an outstanding gymnast and his enthusiasm during
training and competition is far better for the gymnasts and the sport than
the exhibitions of the terminally morose or the gymnast with the pasted on
smile.

The funding issue is a cheap shot and way off base.  These guys are not
professional athletes.  They are supported (and this is only the top few) at
a level that allows them to continue to train; I certainly haven't seen any
indications that anyone is getting rich.

Take a good look at the variety and extreme difficulty of skills that are
required to compete at the highest levels of Men's gymnastics.  It should
come as no surprise that it takes a lot of time to move to reach that
performance level.  We are in the middle of a long road back from the
successes of 1984.  A lot of mistakes have been made along the way, but our
program is moving up and will reach the levels we aspire to achieve.  It just
takes people who believe and who are willing to work to that end.  The
critics are just a small and annoying obstacle on that road.

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 19:58:46 PDT
From:    ***@AMDAHL.CO.ZA
Subject: Karolyi chor.

I liked Kim Zmeskal's 1991 FX routine.
I did NOT like Dom M's routine from last year at all! It was really *ick*
especially that funny piano playing on her stomach! :0 I haven't seen her
new floor, so I can't comment.
I also haven't seen Strug's new floor, but if it is bouncy, I'm sure I won't
like it. How old is she now? 18? She is a mature, experienced gymnast. How
can she do a shaky bum floor?
I don't know!!!! :)
Helen.

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 09:43:25 +0000
From:    ***@IGC.APC.ORG
Subject: M/W Post-US natls prognosis

Two thoughts on an earlier post:

> Subject: NATIONALS
> It is a shame that the one hardworking guy we seem to have, Rothlesberger

It's hard for me to believe that  Rothlesberger (sp?) is the "one" hardworking
male gymnast in the United States.

> 2. Girls were very encouraging.  [SNIP]  We have never had this
> kind of depth before, and it bodes well for our team medal chances.

Definitely true about our depth, but I actually had higher hopes for
a women's team medal before I saw Nationals.   Few great vaults
(the Romanians will kick our butt on that score), a lot of steps on
landings, nobody really "sold" her floor routine.   Of course, maybe
it will smooth out by Trials, and once at Atlanta there may be a lot
less at stake.   Thoughts, anyone, after these latest displays of US
routines, how the women will stack up against what we saw at
Europeans, China, etc?

--Mary Lynne

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 11:39:45 +0100
From:    ***@ASUCLA.UCLA.EDU
Subject: Re: HOPELESS! (was Karoli Choreography)

Here is a little Olympic History, John:  In Barcelona, 1992, Trent Dimas
"blew it" by winning a the only Gold Medal that Vitaly Scherbo didn't take.  Wow!  You're
 right, he blew it!!!

Didnt Li Xiaoshuang win floor?


> but still they should think of us at home, we dont want to watch
> front layouts and fulls that we can already do ourselves.

>I will pass the word-- I am sure they will be more than happy to change their
> routines
>for your viewing pleasure.

That would be cool.. thanks... And could you step on it please, theres not
much time will Atlanta.

 -Me

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 11:44:37 +0100
From:    ***@ASUCLA.UCLA.EDU
Subject: Re: GYMN-L Digest - 10 Jun 1996 to 11 J

Take a good look at the variety and extreme difficulty of skills that are
required to compete at the highest levels of Men's gymnastics.  It should
come as no surprise that it takes a lot of time to move to reach that
performance level.  We are in the middle of a long road back from the
successes of 1984.  A lot of mistakes have been made along the way, but our
program is moving up and will reach the levels we aspire to achieve.  It
just
takes people who believe and who are willing to work to that end.  The
critics are just a small and annoying obstacle on that road.

I think "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" needs to be playing in the background
during this speech.. if any of you have seen Cabaret, you will get that
reference, if you haven't, oh well... you miss out.

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 11:52:03 -0700
From:    ***@VALLEYNET.COM
Subject: JO mens Program and Team '96

First let me introduce my self.  I am Kristoffer M.  (not to be confused
this time with Kris B) I am a JO boys coach and a judge.  I have spent
the last two years traveling the world looking at other countries gymnastics
programs mostly in the Former Soviet Union, and Europe.  I am a ture fan of
gymnastics and love good gymnastics regardless of the coutry they are from.

I have been criticized via e-mail and a post to the forum about my view on
the US mens program, posted a couple of days ago.  I have been told that I
lack vision and don't see the real potential of the US team, and the Future
in the JO program.  One Gentlemen commented on the Developmental D's in th
JO program and implied that I do not know what their intentions were.  What
ever their intentions this is what they do.


In regards to the JO developmental D's, this is the exact opposite of what
we should do to encourage the progression of skills.  Increasing their value
make nonforward looking coaches stop at the developmental D.  Why work
double lay when double pike is the same value and an easier skill to make.
The developmental D's on paper and with some coaches do help, I am not
bashing the USGF's attempt to developing skills.  But ask yourself how many
coaches work past the Developmental D's in the JO program?  In my experience
it has been few.

To fix this problem we need to devalue the skills.  In the countries I just
visited most skills are one letter value less than FIG.  Double tuck is a B.
Off high bar it is an A.  This is true for almost all of the skills.  That
is why their gymnasts can do skills beyond the code.  To receive a E in the
former Soviet Union you do a 4/2 double lay out.  Because 1/1 double lay is
only a D.  this requires coaches to push their gymnasts past The basics and
develop bigger and better skills.

The problem with the current JO program is not necessaily the program
itself, although it is part, but the lack of forward looking coaches
training to become World Champions not JO champions.  If you train for the
first the latter will come.  If you train for the latter you get what we
have now.

I sorry that I don't share your view on the potential of the US mens team in
Atlanta.  We do have many gymnasts that can score well on single events,
like Lynch on P-bars, and  Bagiu on horse.  But I do not see any one
becoming an AA threat to the TOP nations in the World.  Be honest with
yourself and look at the top members of the US team.

Wilson - good clean gymnast, lacks a great mount on floor, uses font
tumbling ( no bonus next year).  If his difficulty improved on All of his
events except for maybe rings.  He could be a threat.  But not now.

Rothlisberger - good gymnast, lacks consistency in big meets.  When the
pressure is on he does not always do well.  Look at the USA championship
event finals he only medalled on 1 of the five events he competed.

McCready - does not belong there.  He lacks strength and needs to go back
and fix his basics.  What good is a stutz to one rail if you take .2
deduction on every one and only get .1 back.  Trying to do to much too fast.

Simons - don't know much about Kip.  He hits his routines but lacks the big
skills necessary to win.

Stein -  Know Josh personally.  Good gymanst,  wont be a factor in Atlanta

Denk - no nothig about him

Bagiu -  lacks consistency, needs to get stronger for rings

Lynch - lacks consistency, and ring strength,  perhaps the most under rated
US gymnast.  Will place in P-bars in Atlanta.

Look at these gymnasts  then look at Belarus.  Do you see the depth of
Belarus and China.  China has two guys that could win the AA.  Do we?

I wish I could share in your optimism.  But  I don't.

Sincerly,

Kristoffer M.

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 12:38:50 +0100
From:    ***@ASUCLA.UCLA.EDU
Subject: Re: HOPELESS! (was Karoli Choreography)

 ----------
From: ***
To: gymn
Subject: RE: HOPELESS! (was Karoli Choreography)
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 1996 11:31AM



Here is a little Olympic History, John:  In Barcelona, 1992, Trent Dimas
"blew
 it" by
winning a the only Gold Medal that Vitaly Scherbo didn't take.  Wow!  You're
 right, he
blew it!!!

Didnt Li Xiaoshuang win floor?


> but still they should think of us at home, we dont want to watch
> front layouts and fulls that we can already do ourselves.

>I will pass the word-- I am sure they will be more than happy to change
their
> routines
>for your viewing pleasure.

That would be cool.. thanks... And could you step on it please, theres not
much time will Atlanta.

 -Me

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Date:    Tue, 11 Jun 1996 15:42:27 -0400
From:    ***@ISMI.NET
Subject: Re: Fwd: one

Hey!

Well, I just got up and decided to write.  You didn't write yesterday and I
was wondering why, but now that i've read your comments to gymn-l I
understand, your foot was in your mouth and you couldn't reach the keyboard!
In case you didn't know, Mihai and Waller's Wife are on the list, as is
Keswicks! Ouch!  And I am not sure if you knew this but I am a big Zmeskal
fan and Strug (huge Strug fan). As for Kim's floor in 92, it was great.  Not
only did it pull the crowd into the routine but also the judges high scores.
Next, Bela is a real coach, hello, 2 Olympics champions, one World Champion,
I agree that Steve is a great coach but so is Bela.  FAILED, when did they
fail in 92?  A bronze isn't exactally failing, they won the bronze not lost
the gold.
>Now onto the men, okay?  First off, I agree that MacCready isn't the best
gymnast ever, his difficulty level is definately down, but his form is
awesome, and last time I checked form was a big part of gymnasatics.  Next,
hate to break the news to ya bud, but Trent and Chris may be 30, but Chris
is one of the best gymnast in the country, he has great difficulty and the
US team REALLY needs him in Atlanta.  Trent didn't do as well as he would
have like to but he did try, and I don't think that we should dis on someond
for trying, I didn't see you there competing.  Same routines huh?  Well,
time for a reality check, not only are they harder routines now but scoring
much higher, our scores combined improved 3 to 4 points at nationals, if not
more.  On to front tumbling, well, incase you didn't notice, Belarus, China,
ect. are doing front tumbling, and it is just as boring as the US men's
front tumbling, okay?!!!  Well, not sure if you're speaking to me after this
but if so write back soon!

GO U.S.A. GREAT CHOROEGRAPHY, GREAT DIFFICULTY, AND GREAT FRONT TUMBLING!!!

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 11 Jun 1996 - Special issue
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