British WAG (and MAG!) talk

[navyblue]

Will this be sufficient, in the adversity stakes, for the gymternet to stop rooting against her if she comes back to elite? Or does that require multiple ACL tears?

Great question. I think, if she is able to make a successful comeback for Paris on all four events, the answer will sadly be ‘no’. If she hangs around until making Los Angeles though, I think she might be able to claim a spot as another peoples’ champion.

 

[RedBirdie]

It’s really terrible timing because coming back in some form for Paris is tantalisingly possible.

The more I think about it, the more I realize Paris is really only possible as a UB/BB specialist, and even then, it may not happen. It takes at least 6 months for the graft to fully heal. That’s typically the earliest someone will be cleared to begin high-intensity physical activity again. There’s just nothing that can be done to sped up the healing process.

6 months is very much on the optimistic end of things. It’s not unusual to see 9-12 month timeframes. Even if she’s cleared at 6 months, Paris is only 8 months away.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Paris is just too tempting and BG will want those potential medals.

Do you think there are any potential medals in that scenario? I think it’d be a very long shot.

At best, if Jess were back on beam she’d be a medal contender in that anyone who hits a high 13 on a good day is. And they’d have to get really lucky in TFs, although I suppose we are on something of a surprise bronze run in the sport now. But… I really don’t see it.

 

[RAFIKI]

Perhaps I’m still in a state of delusion (why is there no Stick It gif for that?)

Agree about beam. Her 14 from qualifications would have only been 6th in the final, but that’s the highest quality beam final we’ve had in a while. Getting event finalists also means quite a lot for BG. They’ve been lucky in an Olympic TF before with mistakes from other teams so you never know. Unless Downie improves a lot on beam there isn’t anyone else (who isn’t already on the likely team) threatening her beam scores. Again, always the assumption she can get back to currentish form and the selectors are willing to put someone on the team with only internal competitions in 2024

Ok let’s try and make a Gadirova-less Paris team:

VT: Evans, Kinsella, Achampong
UB: Kinsella, GMF, Downie
BB: GMF/Downie (sigh), Kinsella, Achampong
FX: GMF, Evans, Kinsella

5th place all being well?

 

[MaryClare]

Perhaps I’m still in a state of delusion (why is there no Stick It gif for that?)

Agree about beam. Her 14 from qualifications would have only been 6th in the final, but that’s the highest quality beam final we’ve had in a while. Getting event finalists also means quite a lot for BG. They’ve been lucky in an Olympic TF before with mistakes from other teams so you never know. Unless Downie improves a lot on beam there isn’t anyone else (who isn’t already on the likely team) threatening her beam scores. Again, always the assumption she can get back to currentish form and the selectors are willing to put someone on the team with only internal competitions in 2024

Ok let’s try and make a Gadirova-less Paris team:

VT: Evans, Kinsella, Achampong
UB: Kinsella, GMF, Downie
BB: GMF/Downie (sigh), Kinsella, Achampong
FX: GMF, Evans, Kinsella

5th place all being well?

Do we know anything about Jon’s status?

 

[makam]

So, uh, has Ellie Downie been keeping her hand in…? (Kidding, i know she retired and probably doesn’t want to deal with bg as an athlete again)

 

[esta]

So, uh, has Ellie Downie been keeping her hand in…? (Kidding, i know she retired and probably doesn’t want to deal with bg as an athlete again)

Funny you mention that! I don’t remember formal retirement announcements from Fragapane and Simm. Are they still training elite? This might perhaps be their opportunity back onto A team?

 

[RichardL]

It’s a shame they had a poor TF this Worlds because it’s unlikely they’ll be as much of a favorite for a team medal next year. I don’t think I’ve processed that we probably won’t see Jess Gadirova in top form in Paris. Really hoping no other top contenders go down, and glad she already has her Olympic medal at least (with the team in Tokyo).

 

[makam]

Wasn’t there a rumor one of the US ladies was looking to compete for the UK? Seems like they might want additional options at this point…

 

[irichluck21]

Wasn’t there a rumor one of the US ladies was looking to compete for the UK? Seems like they might want additional options at this point…

Charlotte Booth.
But that was not actually happening, she was just visiting for a period of time and kept up her training.

 

[Hatsumomo]

Too bad the Belarus fiasco closed that loophole, otherwise I’m sure BG would be tempted to nab a couple of USA’s second- or third-tier gymnasts.

 

[MaryClare]

Wasn’t there a rumor one of the US ladies was looking to compete for the UK? Seems like they might want additional options at this point…

Charlotte Booth, who is a UK-US dual national was training at Park Wrekin with Alice Kinsella. There doesn’t appear to be any indication that she would represent team GB although you do wonder with the injury to Jess Gadirova she might be considering it.

 

[RichardL]

Charlotte Booth, who is a UK-US dual national was training at Park Wrekin with Alice Kinsella. There doesn’t appear to be any indication that she would represent team GB although you do wonder with the injury to Jess Gadirova she might be considering it.

Does she have to get released by USAG or something? I forget how that all worked with Shavahn Church back in the day…

Although honestly I don’t know if Booth’s gymnastics are any better than most of the British B teamers ready to step in for Gadirova if she’s actually still out on all events by next summer.

 

[RedBirdie]

She would have to get released, but USAG has been approving those left and right lately.

 

[MaryClare]

Does she have to get released by USAG or something? I forget how that all worked with Shavahn Church back in the day…

Although honestly I don’t know if Booth’s gymnastics are any better than most of the British B teamers ready to step in for Gadirova if she’s actually still out on all events by next summer.

I think it depends on if she ever held a FIG licence for the US. But it doesn’t appear to be an issue for USAG.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Wasn’t there a rumor one of the US ladies was looking to compete for the UK? Seems like they might want additional options at this point…

There was, but I don’t know that GB will be particularly bothered. The core without Jess are still a top 8 team, and it’s not likely that anyone of the calibre to win medals is going to be available to switch.

I don’t know anything about Charlotte Booth’s plans, but I reckon BG are likely to deal with this particular conundrum by getting more routines out of Alice and Ondine.

 

[makam]

I think it depends on if she ever held a FIG licence for the US. But it doesn’t appear to be an issue for USAG.

I don’t think she has ever done any international comps. And, yeah, a 51AA gymnast (on a good day), isnt a huge add, but if she got consistent, a gymnast like that could be a good leadoff. I don’t recall her gymnastics being bad, anyway.

 

[blake]

There was, but I don’t know that GB will be particularly bothered. The core without Jess are still a top 8 team, and it’s not likely that anyone of the calibre to win medals is going to be available to switch.

I don’t know anything about Charlotte Booth’s plans, but I reckon BG are likely to deal with this particular conundrum by getting more routines out of Alice and Ondine.

They’ll bring a wig and a bottle of spray tan so Alice can do 8 routines in TF. That would be the ultimate culmination of BG running her ragged this quad.

 

[irichluck21]

Jess’ injury hurts Becky’s chances, unless Becky starts showing VT and FX.
If Jess can make it back for bars and beam, you’ll want to take her, but if neither can do floor and vault.

 

[Rich]

Jess’ injury hurts Becky’s chances, unless Becky starts showing VT and FX.
If Jess can make it back for bars and beam, you’ll want to take her, but if neither can do floor and vault.

I know it has been discussed but what happened to Jen G