The most important thing at this time of year is to wish you all a very Happy Christmas! And I have to record some more thoughts further to Thursday's post on Clive Palmer's thesis. My work on this prophetic piece is ongoing, but there is a considerable volume of thought to digest. To provide the necessary emphasis to each of the author's points, and add currency to his thoughts, will take more than a few days. Palmer's work had me thinking about the degree of authority the FIG wields over the sport, yet seemingly without any consciousness of the gravity of the decisions it takes competition by competition and year by year. The FIG constantly reminds us of the 'accuracy' of judges' decisions, yet recent events and media coverage only serve to stress how wrong this simple assertion is. One example is the ease with which the E or execution judges can award inconsistent and unfair marks without risk of reproach. This is in stark contrast to the closel...
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.