British WAG (and MAG!) talk

[RAFIKI]

The scheduling is extra hard this year because Euros is also a multi-sport event. Lots of federations to satisfy. It’s only the second multi-sport Euros after Glasgow 2018.

 

[irichluck21]

The scheduling is extra hard this year because Euros is also a multi-sport event. Lots of federations to satisfy. It’s only the second multi-sport Euros after Glasgow 2018.

OH! I forgot about that so it is not the UEG then that makes the schedule.
My bad.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

I think it’s a twofold issue. One, there’s not actually a lot of overlap between the teams in CWG and Euros. It’s only GB, Malta and Cyprus iirc. Meaning it’s a pretty minimal issue for both organising committees. Secondly, two large multisport games that have to be held in the northern hemisphere summer. GB usually want to do events like this in school holidays too, which aren’t the same weeks or the same length in all the home nations so that narrows it down a bit further. I think it’s only 4 weeks max that all of us are off at the same time. The window to fit them both in is never going to be very big.

The problem never existed before multi sport Euros was a thing though, except when CWG were in Australia like in 06. I’m just waiting for the period when we have the European championships, FIFA world cup (usually early summer) and CWG all in Europe in the same year, it’ll be quite the scheduling nightmare.

@RedBirdie there’s information about the MAG selection panel for England below. GB head national coach and England lead coach.

https://www.british-gymnastics.org/...2022/12207-cwg-2022-mag-selection-policy/file

However, Scotland WAG selection doesn’t include any GB representatives.

https://www.scottishgymnastics.org/sites/default/files/imce/scottish-gymnastics/Gymnastics%20Womens%20Artistic%20Selection%20Policyv4%20Feb2022%20FINAL.pdf

I wonder if this is tacitly acknowledging that it’s almost always the English athletes who are going to be in contention for GB teams and therefore there needs to be some reflection of GB selection needs in the English process, in a way that isn’t true of Scotland.

 

[irichluck21]

The other possibility is that the Gadirovas do both but end up specializing at CWG maybe only on a few events.
I would love to see Becky in the AA at CWG and maybe as a specialist at Euros.
In fact both trams of 5 could be the same roster if managed properly.

 

[irichluck21]

What about:
CWG
VT (Becky) Ondine, Jess, Jenn
UB Ondine, GMF, Becky, (Jess)
BB Ondine Becky, GMF (Jenn)
FX (Becky) Ondine, Jenn, Jess
**Jess and Jenn are last up on UB and BB respectively. If three hits before them, they take the 0 or just go ahead if they are feeling up to it.
AA: Becky, Ondine
Euros
VT (GMF) Ondine, Jess, Jenn
UB (Jenn) Jess, GMF, Becky
BB (Jenn) Jess, GMF, Becky
FX (GMF) Ondine, Jess, Jenn
AA: Jess, Jenn, GMF

 

[JoseM]

I fully agree.

Go J & J !!

José M.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Hmmm, I could see the opportunity to win a CWG AA title being an enticing one for both Gadirovas.

 

[MaryClare]

Surely they are in with a shout for the European AA title too?

 

[Bob]

I think it is actually 4 days. Event finals are split over 2 days. Tough schedule.

 

[MaryClare]

That’s slightly better. I’m sure there was one CWGs were womens event finals were squashed into 1 day

 

[RedBirdie]

I’d think healthy Gadirovas definitely have to be considered legit threats for. Euros AA gold. And while I know CWG is a big deal for commonwealth countries…European AA Champ is a much bigger deal in gymnastics.

It would be so much easier to blow off CWG if they weren’t in England. Euros is more important and should be the focus. But I understand desire to compete at home, and for England to have a great showing. No easy answers here.

 

[MaryClare]

I mean, fortunately there’s 2 of them

 

[makam]

Have them draw lots?

 

[RAFIKI]

And while I know CWG is a big deal for commonwealth countries…European AA Champ is a much bigger deal in gymnastics.

Agreed, however Fragapane got a lot more recognition here for winning 2014 CWG than Ellie did for winning 2017 Euros.

I think GBR vs ITA should be really exciting at Euros but I do wonder how Russia’s absence will factor in when GB gymnasts/coaches have this dilemma. Jessica already has a Euros bronze AA behind two Russians after all, would she prioritise CWG because it’s new and at home? Would being the MLR of Euros bother gymnasts? I doubt it would bother federations and going to Liverpool as European champion(s) would be a big deal. Kinsella has a Euros and a CWG beam gold but only a team silver at CWG (4th 2018 team and GB didn’t go to the postponed 2020 Euros). She’s also from the Birmingham area so it’s a home home competition for her.

After all our analysis and pondering, they’ll probably send the same team to both and just hope no one breaks before the home worlds.

It’s insane how many big competitions the UK have hosted since I’ve been a fan…
2000 WCF
2002 CWG
2004 WCF
2009 Worlds
2010 Euros
2012 Olympics
2014 CWG
2015 Worlds
2022 CWG
2022 Worlds

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

I forgot there was going to be one of those this year.

It’s all so difficult to call. There’s really not a lot to choose between home CWG and Euros, and it depends what you prioritise. Europeans are more prestigious in the sport, CWG at home offers more commercial opportunity. The only thing I do think is a pretty safe bet at the moment is that Alice wants to do CWG.

 

[Gymfan93]

Worlds is also a couple of months after both comps. I would imagine GB would want both Gadirovas there. They have a genuine chance at an AA medal there as well.

Relaisitically, top CWG and Euros contenders are probably going to be Gadirova x2, B. Downie, Simm, GMF, Kinsella and Ondine. They could probably fill the other spaces with slightly lower ranked gymnasts and be fine.

 

[MaryClare]

I think we are underestimating just how huge a home CWGs is to British Gymnastics. It is not far off a home Olympics in terms of public engagement. Even more so when they’ll want to sell tickets for worlds later on this year.

CWGs will take top priority

 

[Doug1233]

You’d think that as long as Becky stays healthy she will be able to do AA at at least one of the two.

 

[Bob]

I’m sure she would be able to! The question is how far are they prepared to go making stupid rules to keep her out.

 

[Bob]

I wonder if the Stills will encourage the Gadirovas to do Euros so that Alice has a chance of winning CWG as a parting shot in her career. They are trying to set her up setting merchandise, doing advertising for companies and selling experience days already. It wouldn’t surprise me. Maybe that is why they don’t want Becky around either.

CWG is much bigger here among the general public than euros by a long way. It is massive. And among gym fans if there are no Russians then Euros victory there is lessened also.