Chalked Up: Inside Elite Gymnastics' Merciless Coaching, Overzealous Parents, Eating Disorders, and Elusive Olympic Dreams

[MaryClare]

Was she injury-prone or was she severely malnourished making her extremely susceptible to all these injuries?

Ok, I am going to sound really horrible. But for as much as Sey talks about going to extreme lengths to lose weight, she just doesnt look that small, nor does she look particularly athletic. What height was she when competing? I'll bet there are plenty gymnasts the same height who look much leaner but still healthy

 

[IratePanda]

Ok, I am going to sound really horrible. But for as much as Sey talks about going to extreme lengths to lose weight, she just doesnt look that small, nor does she look particularly athletic. What height was she when competing? I'll bet there are plenty gymnasts the same height who look much leaner but still healthy

She was about 5'3", and her weight seemed to fluctuate from 95 to 110 lbs.

My mom, never one to mince words, remarked during the '86 US Championships telecast that Sey was "awfully big for a gymnast."

 

[MaryClare]

She was about 5'3", and her weight seemed to fluctuate from 95 to 110 lbs.

My mom, never one to mince words, remarked during the '86 US Championships telecast that Sey was "awfully big for a gymnast."

She looks like the body type that doesnt build muscle easily. Usually at the beginning, they can keep up with their peers but as the difficulty level increases they struggle. It was always explained to me that if a gymnast looks slow and sluggish, it is because the muscle ratio is too low. Which is why it is often the case after injury or extended time off. The gymnasts who are able to comeback with relative ease is because they naturally retain muscle or have been able to maintain their fitness levels through other physical activity.

I mean, this could all be nonsense, some of my colleagues believe some weird things. But it does make sense.

 

[IratePanda]

She looks like the body type that doesnt build muscle easily. Usually at the beginning, they can keep up with their peers but as the difficulty level increases they struggle. It was always explained to me that if a gymnast looks slow and sluggish, it is because the muscle ratio is too low. Which is why it is often the case after injury or extended time off. The gymnasts who are able to comeback with relative ease is because they naturally retain muscle or have been able to maintain their fitness levels through other physical activity.

I mean, this could all be nonsense, some of my colleagues believe some weird things. But it does make sense.

Yes, it does. I wonder if she would have had more success in competitive swimming. It's suitable for all body types. Some of the best swimmers I know don't look remotely athletic, but magic happens as soon as they enter the water.

 

[MaryClare]

Yes, it does. I wonder if she would have had more success in competitive swimming. It's suitable for all body types. Some of the best swimmers I know don't look remotely athletic, but magic happens as soon as they enter the water.

Yes. Like Penguins

 

[rlayt]

Yes and some women rugby players who are sensational don’t have a lot of muscle definition.

 

[makam]

It was always explained to me that if a gymnast looks slow and sluggish, it is because the muscle ratio is too low.

Not my field, but anecdotally, I am very out of shape and tried some sprints this summer and it felt like I was running through syrup. I was pushing as hard as I could and am pretty sure a 6 year old could outrun me.

Sey doesn't look bad in her gymnastics, necessarily, just pedestrian. I'm not sure what healthy outlet her personality type would have benefited from but, man, everyone was failing her over and over. And while I am a fan of everyone being allowed to do what they love, people should have been honest with her about her prospects. Since they weren't able to cater to different strengths like they do a little better these days, they should have dialed it back with her and let her get obssessed with school or something. (Not sure that she had any particular strengths though, she definitely isn't as elegant and graceful as advertised though maybe that disappeared as her difficulty increased or with the move to parkettes.)

 

[KristyJ]

Ok, I am going to sound really horrible. But for as much as Sey talks about going to extreme lengths to lose weight, she just doesnt look that small, nor does she look particularly athletic. What height was she when competing? I'll bet there are plenty gymnasts the same height who look much leaner but still healthy

I honestly wonder if the idea that laxatives were so helpful hurt her, too. Bodies learn how to retain the calories they get more efficiently with bulimia.... Laxatives help water weight but don't really do much for long term body composition, and her body would've been hanging on to every last calorie it got on "binge" days.