Warning about US WAG program.

[JaJa]

Yeah, I don't think any country has really tried a long term "what if all our gymnasts were happy and healthy and worked hard because they wanted to be here and not because we are mentally and physically abusing them into submission?" plan to know if it would dominate or not.

Anyone who has achieved a high level of success in any extremely difficult, competitive field understands that being “happy” just can not be a primary objective. That there will be possibly long periods of grueling work, stress , lack of sleep etc etc. that there must be an extremely high level of drive and motivation. Tthe key is how do we get there in a sport when the athletes are so young and also eliminate actual mental and physical abuse.

 

[irichluck21]

In the instance of Ferrari winning with a fall, it was a strange competition where people were trying to figure out the biggest set of rule changes ever.

Yes.
But then the next CoP it was then added in that a fall was now 1.0 instead of .8

If that had been in effect in 2006, Ferrari would still have won but at .075 difference.

I am curious what would have happened if Memmel had been healthy and competed. Memmel had a 61.350 in qualifications which if repeated, she would have repeated as AA champion.

 

[RedBirdie]

I think a healthy Memmel repeats as AA champ.

 

[RichardL]

I think a healthy Memmel repeats as AA champ.

Yeah, I don't remember there being any doubt about that at the time.

 

[Doug1233]

What is your exact E-score breakdown for Skye's routine? Already though this is in alignment with the premise - Skye on the podium and a .4 differential between her and Melnikova compared to what they received.

I have her at an 8.3. I can't be arsed to type it all out (at least not today). But I had Skye 0.2 ahead of Melnikova (Skye 3 ahead on E, and 1 behind on D).

We all know that Melnikova gets overscored.

 

[Puffin]

I have her at an 8.3. I can't be arsed to type it all out (at least not today). But I had Skye 0.2 ahead of Melnikova (Skye 3 ahead on E, and 1 behind on D).

We all know that Melnikova gets overscored.

I am not a judge but personally I think Skye's ub could be better constructed - it looks old fashioned. The best ub workers flow - swing from skill to skill without re-kipping. She has the difficulty but I think 2 kips to handstand in the first 10 seconds disrupts the flow.

 

[MaryClare]

I have her at an 8.3. I can't be arsed to type it all out (at least not today). But I had Skye 0.2 ahead of Melnikova (Skye 3 ahead on E, and 1 behind on D).

We all know that Melnikova gets overscored.

If that is the case, then why do you think she gets overscored? Why are the judges doing that?

 

[Doug1233]

If that is the case, then why do you think she gets overscored? Why are the judges doing that?

Because she has lovely posture and carriage.

 

[flylioness]

Anyone who has achieved a high level of success in any extremely difficult, competitive field understands that being “happy” just can not be a primary objective. That there will be possibly long periods of grueling work, stress , lack of sleep etc etc. that there must be an extremely high level of drive and motivation. Tthe key is how do we get there in a sport when the athletes are so young and also eliminate actual mental and physical abuse.

It depends on how you define "happy". If happy means "only work when you feel like it" and do whatever you fancy at any given time, then I agree that this won't lead you to the top anywhere. However, I do think extreme self-discipline and some sacrifice can coexist with what I would call happiness, namely a state where you are content with and feel good about what you are doing, and feel comfortable and safely supported in your environment.

 

[irichluck21]

Melnikova also gets the benefit of the doubt having been a World and Olympic champion.

 

[MaryClare]

Because she has lovely posture and carriage.

Are you saying that you don’t think gymnasts should be scored favourably for having lovely posture and carriage?

If this is some sort of hack to better scores, then why isn’t every gymnast doing it?

 

[MaryClare]

Melnikova also gets the benefit of the doubt having been a World and Olympic champion.

You forgot the “in the same year” bit. Just thought people should know incase anyone had forgotten