Can judging ever be objective? Part 2 Now that the flurry of World Championships is well and truly over, I have been cogitating on the different perspectives on gymnastics discussed earlier in this blog and attempting to analyse what we can learn from the latest developments. The thing that repeatedly strikes me right in the eye is the prescriptive approach of the Code which seems to try to apply a painting-by-numbers type formula for good gymnastics. I believe that this alienates judgement of the aesthetic dimension of the sport and imposes a set of assumptions which not all of us share. In turn, this disadvantages those gymnasts who attempt to express artistry and discourages the development of an artistic approach to the sport. It facilitates an approach to gymnastics marking that favours verbal reasoning over aesthetic judgement, thus opening the door to all forms of behind-the-scenes nit-picking and making the sport increasingly political. Finally, it reinforces a k...
Reporting and analysing Russian gymnastics since 2010. Includes original and exclusive interviews with leading coaches and gymnasts, and historical issues dating back to the Soviet Union. The first blog to report extensively on the sport using Russian language sources. I read, I argue, and I have opinions. Be warned.