Recent content by RAFIKI

I remember thinking this line was odd as a teenager. Now it seems extra sad and poignant.

Extremely. They went for Euros in 2022 but after such a long absence CWG might be a better goal this time around. It will be less competitive but still new for them and with the multi-sport excitement bonus.

He died in 2008/9ish IIRC. At London worlds I asked her to sign a photo of her family in IG (didn’t expect her to be there so didn’t have any of her cover issues with me, but I sent for them because Moceanu got me into this sport and I was obsessed). When this book came out I regretted asking...

Amusing acronym upon translation.

Bloomin heck!

These screenshots are really interesting and are making me wonder what the equivalent is like (or if it even exists) in other countries. Good to see that athlete education starts early.

That’s a great idea. I’d be fascinated to know what Ashley (the young gymnast doing TOPS testing on a broken ankle) and her parents think about it now.

Worth it 😆

Intriging! 🤔

That sounds fascinating and I expect it’s cathartic to write.

Agreed. I treasure his reactions to the team medals in Glasgow. I also miss Barry a lot. I keep meaning to write him a fan letter but have never got round to it.

I’m also a sci-fi geek and I remember being excited that they postponed Star Trek Voyager for gymnastics worlds.

Thank you for pulling all these together.

Agreed. If you’d told her 13th in the world and two EF at the start of the year (or 30/9 as RedBirdie points out), she’d have taken that in a heartbeat.

Definitely another case in point, though I think I found her not making the Athens EF harder to bear. On topic: thats a tough run of EF placings for SMV. I hope she uses this as fuel to improve and medals in the future.