Recent content by phoenix7

She has seemed to have stamina issues for a while - often breathing very heavily by the time she's halfway through a floor routine. I think this is why she ends up seeming to choose between difficulty and artistry. She would have done much better in the days when you could pause before every...

My takeaways: Scandinavia had a great competition. That Northern European Championship that always looks so random could be much more competitive over the next few years. But a shame Ireland didn't compete, on that note. Wales had a great competition. Ruby Evans thinks she's not a dancer, but...

It's certainly well covered in their online news sources.

Was she expecting the bonus, do we know? Is there a list of what the WTC counts in each direction?

Yes, I remember that now too. I think that's the one I was looking for - and that was Antwerp. Continental European thing, maybe

Marosan said they'd worked out an elite schedule and training plans with Stanford for Ana, so not impossible. But I think Ana is being careful not to commit herself so soon. Her English is excellent, but she must be anticipating an intense start to her studies in Autumn.

They did it at last year's Euros in Italy too. Is it something they do in their national leagues in these countries, I wonder? It does seem crass

I was just thinking, I've worked hard today - might open a bottle of wine after the medal ceremony. ... On the sofa in the sun getting emotionally invested in gymnastics. Hard life.

Watching Barbosu's expressive floor and warm interactions with other gymnasts, and remembering how Romanian TV used to call her out for looking stony faced as a younger teen. They really tried to push her down, and here she is.

Yes - the Romanians are over their pike jump era. It was such clever if not beautiful routine composition. She isn't at full D at all - she's done triple wolf and punch front from the last pass before. But she looks so secure in that routine.

Barbosu has clever connections - whip to full-in and the second pass - and difficult leaps and spins. She does a double wolf turn, not a triple, but so did Evans. Evans does have lower difficulty, though I like her routine.

That is what the BBC said, but Internet says born 2009 and turning 16 this year. So I think they are confused!

There hasn't been a huge change in the coaching situation really, since the Dutch coaches left. The national team is split across three gyms in Deva, Bucharest, Constanta. Sabrina trains separately from the others with Camelia at Constanta. The Olympic team members are still at Deva until...

It's definitely a third medal for Romania!

I quite like them, but are they only giving them to the women? Haven't seen men posing with them, so what do they get?