Just picked up Peter Aykroyd's 1987 book International Gymnastics: Sport Art or Science?. Seeing it reminded me that gymnastics is in a constant state of flux and change; its identity has been subject to debate and conflict since the earliest days of competitive gymnastics, well before it existed in the form we recognise today. I want to try to talk about the state of the sport today, how it compares to past models, how it arrived at this point, and what are the questions arising. I make no apologies for publishing the picture comparisons on this page, which were created by Lifje. Some have seemed to find them rather challenging in the past, but they are not airbrushed or altered in any way. Yes, the pictures are purpose selected for the sake of comparison, but they express a truth about the direction the sport has taken over the past few years. They are not so much about Russia versus America as artistry versus athletics. I do not pretend...
Ksenia must be throwing her Amanar if she is slotted last up on vault. Russia will then have two (unless Maria throws her Cheng which I think would be a risky and silly move).
ReplyDeleteInteresting Douglas is in the USA vault line up ahead of Raisman. Douglas only did a DTY in the qualifications. Perhaps Russia will match the US start value on vault. Just such a pity they are so ridiculously far behing on floor....
Yes but that can be compensated with the good advantage they have on UB (three mid 15's), and regarding BB if Maria and Seda hit they're equal in scores with USA.
DeleteI think It´s just because Paseka is the first to compete on Bars. This way she could rest a little more
DeleteSO UPSET AT THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THE TF
DeleteThe only advantage of Americans vs Russians is the Amanar they throw on VT. If Russian's can perform 3 Amanars in Rio for team plus their bars, then they'll give US a run for their money. China beat US at Beijing because they matched the difficulty of the Americans.
ReplyDeletePreparing my tea to cheer for the Russians to win gold -- one can always dream...
ReplyDeleteRussia and Romania are not long for this current gymnastics world.
ReplyDeleteRomania made me cry. Russia made me cover my eyes. Sad.
Rumours of the demise of the Russian team are ill placed. This was a poor performance from gymnasts of great potential. They need to learn to hammer things home even under pressure.
ReplyDeleteThe artistry debate remains important and is not per se connected to Russia's woes.
Russia will rise again, and this blog continues. My next piece to irritate you - when I have some time - will begin to address notions of difficulty and complexity.
Well done to all the teams.
The biggest difference between american gymnasts to the rest of the World is "NUMBERS". The number of competitions the US girls perfom before and after (and by this i mean immediately after, just watch "Tour of Gymnastics Superstars) the Olympc Games is HUGE. Of course they aren't born to deal with pressure, nobody is, they just select those who survive the pressure between several televisioned competitions. They get used to media, to Martha eyes, to coaches fighting to rise them up, since they are tiny juniors. The media is strong as hell btw, it puts Gymnastics in such an important spot as Brazilian Soccer or American Football. Gymnastics in USA today is a show, and every gymnast makes everything to be part of that. When they get to the World's or Olympic's Arena, they consider them EASIER than Olympic Trials for example, that can show us an idea of how much pressure they're used to deal with already inside their house.
ReplyDeleteAs Russian Gymnastics fan, I beg this team to stop isolating themselves all year, to stop locking their best vaults or dismounts because they have to "save their shapes" to the Games only. Come on Russian girls, show us more numbers, don't see a World Championship as little competition, you don't have to be between the 8 best countries only to qualify, you have to be the best, and that requires more and more competitions day by day. I hope we can see soon - not only once a year - nice Amanar vaults, beautiful coreographies + difficult tumbling passes (as 2010 floor routines), beautiful balletic beam routines and the best, the absolutely best uneven bars set of the World. Aliya, please come back soon with all that spirit!
As an American who roots for Russian gymnastics. Gymnastics is no where near as popular as American Football it is actually laughable to think that.
DeleteThe majority of Americans show no interest unless it is an Olympic year. (4 year fans)