gymn Digest Tue, 1 Nov 94 Volume 3 : Issue 33

Today's Topics:
Amy Chow
Asian Games - Women's EF
Compulsories (resend) (2 msgs)
correction
Fear (Help!) (3 msgs)
Intro
oak trees
Roethlisberger Named Head Coach
Russian Natls and Teams for Worlds
Russian results, articles
Worlds and TV
Worlds and TV (fwd)
Worlds and TV/ home vids & misc (2 msgs)
Yevgeniya Roschina

This is a digest of the gymn@athena.mit.edu mailing list.

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Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 13:49:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: ***@leland.Stanford.EDU
Subject: Amy Chow

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to reply to a message that was forwarded to me by my mom who subscribes to this bulletin board. It is in reference to one reporter's surprise that
Amy Chow said so much upon being interviewed following the World Championship
Team Trials. I am a close friend and used to be Amy's teammate. I can tell you that Amy may appear quiet and focused during competition, but she is very
talkative and outgoing with her teammates and friends. She is also extremely
intelligent and this comes across in speaking with her. She goes to school
full-time and is an A student. obviously she is an incredible worker both
in school and in the gym. I can say that I am so happy to hear Amy say that
she is going to go and have fun, because I know that she will do her best
if she approaches the meet in this frame of mind. Learning to relax has helped
Amy to become a much more consistent gymnast. I spoke with her last night and
she said that she is very excited to have the opportunity to travel with
the team to Germany, and is having fun with her gymnastics. I asked her about
her floor routine, and she had no idea that the crowd appreciated the way she
just kept going. In years past, music going off would have been something that
detracted from Amy's performance, but I think that her focus upon enjoying what
she is doing rather than worrying about an outcome is taking her to new heights in performance.

So, there you have it--Amy may seem like a girl of few words, but she is actually very talkative, intelligent, and a wonderful friend.

Sincerely,
Jen (Former West Valley Gym and Stanford University Gymnast)


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 08:56:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@minerva.cis.yale.edu
Subject: Asian Games - Women's EF

> full-in for 9.862. Kosuge is still around -- front giant to front pike;
> Tkachev; and tucked full-in for 9.587. A good routine, but she doesn't have
> the same speed as she used to.

And I thought that when you're over the hill you pick *up* speed. :D

> Beam:
> Mo was first up, and immediately took the gold with a very solid exercise
> (not a wobble). Her Omelianchik had incredible flight and height
> (definitely NOT an "oak tree"!)

I wonder if anyone is ever going to "re-invent" a *real* Omelianchik and do
3/4 twist.

> FX:
Evdokimova's
> (9.762) and Sugawara's (9.712) routines weren't shown....

I don't know what she did there, but Evdokimova usually tumbles a double
layout (pretty good), Rudi punch *back*, and right now I can't remember
for sure, but I think triple full. Her dance isn't too bad (though not
great).

:)
Adriana

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 94 09:43:14 EDT
From: ***@eos.ncsu.edu
Subject: Compulsories (resend)

(This may be a rerun post. My email tells me that it was unable to send
it for three days. My apologies if it is a rerun.)

[First two paragraphs deleted]

> At one point the FIG talked about an "A" and "B" worlds to divy up the good
> teams from the great ones. I have mixed feelings on the subject. On the one
> hand frankly I don't want to watch the Indian boys go 6 for 6 in the fall
> department again and on the other ... how will countries ever improve their
> programs without the inspiration that a worlds provides? It's a complicated
> issue but like all things it will probably end at the wallet.
>
> -Susan

I know that in international ice hockey, they have a Group A and a Group
B champion, with the Group B being the "not-as-good" group. It works
pretty well, and it could be applied to gymnastics. If a country does
well, it will stay in Group A, but if it (majorly) falters, it would be
demoted to Group B. Plus the best of Group B (in hockey, it is usually the
top one or two teams), would get promoted to Group A. It serves as an
incentive to "run with the big boys". You never know. Russia could
have a REAL BAD Worlds and get replaced by, say, Moldova.

--Brent

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 08:49:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@minerva.cis.yale.edu
Subject: Compulsories (resend)

I was originally opposed to the divided Worlds because I think one learns
so much from being in a meet with the best in the world that I'd rather
travel with my team to watch the A Worlds than go compete in the B
Worlds. Now, however, with individual Worlds, that might not be so much
of a consideration, as long as the individual Worlds remain open to all.
Given that, B Worlds could be a pretty fun and exciting meet.

:)
Adriana

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 10:45:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
Subject: correction

I realized last night (with help from Susan) that I accidentally omitted
Aleksei Voropayev from the list of Russian team members in Dortmund. So he
wasn't being "punished" for that 7.9 on pommels! He's on the official team
list, and should be there (barring injury) :). The Russians DO seem to be a bit
confused about the new format, since they picked teams of 6 and 2 alternatives.
Hopefully someone will clue Arkaev in on the rules before the meet begins!

Beth

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 94 11:46:12 PDT
From: ***@geoworks.com
Subject: Fear (Help!)

> I am 20 years old and have taken up gymnastics recently. I am, however,
> paralyzed by fear whenever I do P-bars. It gets to the point where
> swinging close to horizontal is just, well, terrifying, esp in the back
> swing. I HATE this, but I don't know why I'm frightened like this. Has
> anyone else felt this way? What can I do to overcome this? I have no fear
> on floor at all, and little on the other apparatus, but P-bars: THEY'RE
> THE BANE OF MY LIFE!!!!

P-Bars is one of the scarier events in my oppinion. I believe this
is partly because in no other event do you have so much of the apparatus to
hit on a fall. Despite this, P-Bars is quite fun ;)
You are probably having difficulty because you are still developing
the arm/shoulder/chest strength needed to control your body while swinging.
This will come with practice. Another thing that scares the wits out of
most people is if you don't keep your arms locked while swinging. Having
your arms buckle while going through the bottom of a swing makes you feel
really helpless, and occasionally causes a big crash (if you were swinging
hard).
The moral of the story? Keep up your practice swings to develop
your strength. Don't let your arms unlock and if you find this difficult,
work on your elbow flexibility (many people who lift weights ignore this
and get tight biceps, which makes it difficult or impossible to get their
elbows to lock in a straight position).

Good luck,

Dave

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 11:39:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: ***@netcom.com
Subject: Fear (Help!)

>
> > I am 20 years old and have taken up gymnastics recently. I am, however,
> > paralyzed by fear whenever I do P-bars. It gets to the point where
> > swinging close to horizontal is just, well, terrifying, esp in the back
> > swing. I HATE this, but I don't know why I'm frightened like this. Has
> > anyone else felt this way? What can I do to overcome this? I have no fear
> > on floor at all, and little on the other apparatus, but P-bars: THEY'RE
> > THE BANE OF MY LIFE!!!!
>
David wrote:

> P-Bars is one of the scarier events in my oppinion. I believe this
> is partly because in no other event do you have so much of the apparatus to
> hit on a fall. Despite this, P-Bars is quite fun ;)

Dave is right here. Use some extra crash mats while you gain your confidence.
Nice thick gooey ones. Maybe even raise the aparatus higher to allow for the
extra padding.

I notice that you use the term "fear". Did you even wonder what fear
really is ?


FEAR is an acronym for "False Expectations Appearing Real"

Now we all know that most of these fears are unfounded extremism.
Keep that in mind and apply it to the reall meaning of fear.

You'll do fine !

The one that always scared me was rings. Especially on an inverted move.
I got over it and got off on it. Now if I could just master a plange....



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-texx

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 21 Oct 94 08:55:17 -0400
From: ***@riscee.bxb.dec.com
Subject: Fear (Help!)

Bryan,

texx wrote:

>Use some extra crash mats while you gain your confidence.
>Nice thick gooey ones. Maybe even raise the aparatus higher to allow for the
>extra padding.

I'm all for *lowering* the bars as low as they go (and still be able to swing).
The parallel bars are *high*, especially for us short guys. Do small,
controlled swinging at first, and eventually you'll build up the necessary
coordination, strength and courage to swing higher and higher. Just keep your
elbows locked and your shoulders loose. On your backswing, hollow out your body
(slight pike) and don't lean forward on your shoulders. On your front swing,
don't lean your shoulders back. Always keep you butt tight.

You'll be swinging to a handstand before you know it!

Steve

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 94 17:52:00 -0700
From: ***@hpflash.rose.hp.com
Subject: Intro

Hello all! Although I have already posted one message (twice by mistake!),
I guess it's time to launch my official introduction. My name is
Mark. I'm 36 years old, work for Hewlett Packard in Roseville,
California, and live in Auburn, CA. My wife (Joanne) and I became involved
in gymnastics 5 years ago when our daughter (Jessie) began a program at
Cypress Academy in Texas. We fell in love with the sport at that time. Jessie
did well at Cypress Academy. In '92 her level 5 team took first place in
the state championships (Second place went to Kyroli's). Jessie took 7th
overall and 3rd on the Beam. My job at Texas Instruments was transferred
to Hewlett Packard (they bought us) and we came west to our new home in
Auburn, CA. We were fortunate to find a serious and competitive gymnastics
program in Loomis (just a few miles east of Sacramento) at Splitz Gymnastics.
Head coaches at Splitz are Sam Shaw (anyone remember him...2-time All American
and Nat'l Vault champ....previous head coach at Pozars and Starz and assistant
coach at Scats) and Clark Giddings (dance/ballet specialty). I should add that
Sam is an avid reader of Gymn by way of me bringing him hard copy printouts.
Jessie was 5th in the Northern California level 6 meet. She's now hard at
work training in level 8. First meet is Jan 13 '94 at Stanford.

I would like to hear more about level 5 through 9 as well as the elites. I
should add that while at Cypress, we spotted Kristy Powell and knew she'd
go far. She has! Also, a young gymnast named Kinsey Rowe was on the fast
track. She was a level 7 when we left (2 yrs ago) and I understand she's
an elite now. I think we'll see her name soon. Glad to meet you all!

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 19:32:51 -0700 (MST)
From: ***@asu.edu
Subject: oak trees

Adriana:

>I wonder is anyone is ever going to "re-invent" a *real* Omelianchik and do
>3/4 twist

During warmups at the Worlds in April, I saw someone *mount* beam
with one! (RO 3/4 turn to back hip circle) If I recall, she circled
through the "Y" that holds up the beam! I think she might have been
Argentinan or Cuban (but don't remember and forgot to write it down). I
missed her mount in competition so I didn't get to see if she did it or
not... It was rad though!

Amanda

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Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 03:11:51 -0400
From: ***@aol.com
Subject: Roethlisberger Named Head Coach

>From the Minneaplois _Star Tribune_ (10/11/94) ...

U of Minnesota's head coach Fred Roethlisberger has been named head coach of
the US men's gymnastics team in Dortmund, Germany for the Team World
Championships. "It's a great honor and vote of confidence by my peers. It's
the top position in gymnastics coaching,"

- - - - - - - -

I think that this was voted on at the Nationals (okay I was standing next to
Burch waiting for the elevator when someone came to tell him) and that Yefim
Furman of UCLA is the assistant. If I'm wrong please correct me as my
memory could be failing.

-Susan

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 13:12:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
Subject: Russian Natls and Teams for Worlds

Hi all! I just got the Sept 27 issue of Sovetsky Sport today (Russian mail
service is SO reliable!) and it has the info I've (we've) been waiting for. I
can't post the whole article now, since I'm at work and haven't translated it,
but here are the top 3 AA for men and women in Russian Nationals:
1. Dmitry Karbonenko
2. Yevgeny Shabayev
3. Aleksei Voropayev

(Did I make your day, Susan?)
1. Yevgenia Roshchina
2. Svetlana Khorkina
3. Natalia Ivanova

Svetlana had a fall (beam, I think); Kochetkova did not compete. Don't
know what happened to Fabrichnova.
The end of thearticle lists the teams for Dortmund:

Women: Dina Kochetkova, Svetlana Khorkina, Oksana Fabrichnova, Elena Grosheva,
Yevgenia Roshchina and Natalia Ivanova. Elena Lebedeva and Natalia Bobrova are
listed as alternates.

Men: Dmitry Karbonenko, Yevgeny Shabayev, Aleksei Voropayev, Aleksei Nemov (if
he recovers from some unspecified injury), Dmitry Trush and Anatoly Kurov.
Alternates are Yevgeny Zhukov and Dmitry Vasilenko.

I'll trtranslate the article ad post the rest of the AA (through 6th)
standings, EF results and scores tonight, if possible.

Beth

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 23:12:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
Subject: Russian results, articles

Here are two Sovetsky Sport articles with the results of
Russian Nationals (men and women, AA and EF), the teams for
Dortmund, and an interesting interview with Nikolai Andrianov's
wife about the Russian girls' chances in Dortmund. I was
intrigued by what she said about the floor routines for the top
four girls. They should be gorgeous! I can't wait to see them,
and Billy - bring your camcorder!! :)

Beth

Russian Championships in Artistic Gymnastics: MOSCOW BALLAD. (By
Natalia Kalugina. Sovetsky Sport, Sept. 27, p. 2.) Being an
"outsider," one could, of course, grumble a bit: That Moscow got
lucky again. Being a Muscovite, one could exclaim: "Again we're
ahead of the entire planet!" Or one could simply congratulate
Zhenya Roshchina, Dmitry Karbonenko, Yevgeny Shabayev and Aleksei
Voropayev for winning the AA in the Russian Cup and be happy for
the capital's gymnastics school.
After Dynamo gymnast Yevgenia Roshchina was best in the
compulsories, her coach Natalia Tokareva joyfully said, "The girl
did everything that she could have and everything that she should
have. She loves the 'school' exercises and, objectively, does the
compulsories better and more stably than many. The most important
thing for us in the optionals is to get through them without
losing any ground."
After the first apparatus, the vault, Zhenya was ahead of
one of the stars of the national team, Svetlana Khorkina. On the
bars, Sveta, whose routine on this apparatus is currently one of
the most difficult in the world, passed her. The beam: Zhenya was
the first to perform, and she made it through the event quite
solidly. Svetlana had begun to get slightly nervous, but
outwardly, at any rate, she quickly composed herself - it isn't
without reason that people say that this beautiful girl has the
ideal character for a champion. She approached the apparatus. Her
fall decided the fate of the gold medal. And the happy Zhenya
could only say that her victory was a present to her beloved
Natalia Viktorovna [Tokareva] for her birthday, which was that
very day, September 24. But Natalia Tokareva tried to maintain
objectivity in this joyous situation:
"No, I shouldn't think that my pupil is the strongest in
Russia. Sveta Khorkina's fall was a chance event. And Dina
Kochetkova didn't compete. I told Zhenya even before the
competition, and I repeat it now: It's still too soon to think
ourselves superior. Honestly, it's necessary to perform at full
strength. In other words, the way we know how."
Among the men, perhaps only one medal could be predicted
beforehand. But we could still be mistaken about its color.
Considering the previous results this season, Yevgeny Shabayev
could have become the champion. But making an appearance after an
injury was Dima Karbonenko, who underwent medical treatment and
also had time to get married to a real French woman.
Aleksei Voropayev's bronze was a little unexpected. During
compulsories, he fell off the pommel horse twice and earned a 7.9
on this apparatus. For an ordinary gymnast, it would be virtually
impossible to move up having such a score in one's pocket.
In conclusion, we'll let you in on a big secret. Going to
the World Championships in Germany are Dina Kochetkova, Svetlana
Khorkina, Oksana Fabrichnova, Elena Grosheva, Yevgenia Roshchina,
Natalia Ivanova, Dmitry Karbonenko, Yevgeny Shabayev, Aleksei
Nemov (if he recovers from an injury in time), Dmitry Trush, and
Anatoly Kurov. Elena Lebedeva, Natalia Bobrova, Yevgeny Zhukov
and Dmitry Vasilenko will go as alternates.

The Russian Cup and the Russian Championships in the
Individual Events. Round Lake training center. Sept. 24. All-
Around (sum of the compulsory and optional programs):
Women: 1. Yevgenia Roshchina (Moscow) - 77.125
2. Svetlana Khorkina (Belgorod) - 76.7
3. Natalia Ivanova (Cheboksary) - 76.475
4. Elena Grosheva (Yaroslavl) - 75.45
5. Yu. Korosteleva (Moscow) - 75.0
6. E. Kuznetsova (St. Petersburg) - 74.75
Men: 1. Dmitry Karbonenko (Moscow) - 113.75
2. Yevgeny Shabayev (Moscow) - 113.625
3. Aleksei Voropayev (Moscow) - 112.5
4. Anatoly Kurov (Rostov) - 111.9
5. Dmitry Trush (Voronezh) - 111.15
6. A. Ionov (Cherkessk) - 110.85

Sept. 25. Event Finals. Men.
Floor: 1. E. Podgorny (Novosibirsk) - 9.7
2. Karbonenko - 9.675
3. Shabayev - 9.6
Pommels: 1. Shabayev - 9.75
1. N. Kryukov (Voronezh) - 9.75
3. Trush - 9.35
Rings: 1. Kurov - 9.825
2. Voropayev - 9.8
3. Trush - 9.6
Vault: 1. Voropayev - 9.7
2. Shabayev - 9.65
3. Yu. Gotov (Cherkessk) - 9.537
P-Bars: 1. Karbonenko - 9.6
1. Yevgeny Zhukov (Chelyabinsk) - 9.6
3. Kurov - 9.55
High Bar:1. Trush - 9.6
2. Podgorny - 9.5
2. Shabayev - 9.5

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Artistic Gymnastics: AHEAD OF THE ENTIRE PLANET? (By Natalia
Kalugina. Sovetsky Sport, Sept. 28, p. 1.) The Russian Cup and
the Championships in the Individual Events are over. The names of
the new champions are known. The world has not been turned upside
down: Everything fell into place. For in the finals, even
Svetlana Khorkina confirmed that she is a star. Sveta won three
events.
Those are the particulars. But we spoke with Olympic
champion and international judge Lyubov Burda-Andrianova
[Nikolai's wife] about more general problems concerning the
prospects of the team that was just formed (this was done on the
basis of the results of the competition at Round Lake).
"The most important thing is that young gymnasts - Zhenya
Roshchina or Natasha Ivanova of Cheboksary - were able to win
their spots on the team (I want to note that Ivanova was good and
solid on beam - N.K.) I am very happy for them"
Question: What kind of impression does the team make as a
whole? You have seen our rivals at competitions. Are they worse
or better?
Answer: Let's dot all the i's right away. I haven't seen
anyone's compulsories, except our girls' and the Romanians'. But
it is the compulsories that will lead off the World
Championships. Objectively, the Romanians are stronger on vault.
On the other hand, they lose to us in every respect on the bars.
Beam and floor exercise have been prepared at approximately the
same level. On the beam our girls are more aesthetic to watch,
but as for the floor exercise, "their" coaches have succeeded
in making them a little prettier. Although it is a constant
battle among equals, we did beat the Romanians in the
compulsories at a tri-meet in Italy. Things are approximately the
same with the optionals. But under certain conditions, preference
could be given to our rivals with regard to beam routines. And on
the floor, I like very much the way they have put the exercises
together from the standpoint of composition.
Q. - So we very well might lose?
A. - There are still two months before the World
Championships. The girls are working very hard. For instance, the
four best - Dina Kochetkova, Oksana Fabrichnova, Sveta Khorkina
and Lena Grosheva - are going to Novogorsk, where rhythmic
gymnasts will choreograph new floor routines for them.
Q. - What about tumbling?
A. - Kochetkova and Fabrichnova are doing full-ins for their
last pass. Grosheva is doing a front layout with a double twist.
This is an absolutely new element. Before Lena, no one in the
world had done it.
Q. - Besides the Romanians and the Russians, who will be
able to fight for the gold in Dortmund?
A. - The US and, possibly, Ukraine.

The Russian Cup and the Russian Championships in the Event
Finals in Artistic Gymnastics. Round Lake training center. Sept.
26. Women's event finals.
Vault: 1. Svetlana Khorkina (Belgorod) - 9.762
2. Elena Lebedeva (St. Petersburg) - 9.6
2. E. Dolgopolova (Volzhsky) - 9.6
Bars: 1. Khorkina - 9.8
2. E. Kuznetsova (St. Petersburg) - 9.7
3. Elena Grosheva (Yaroslavl) - 9.6
Beam: 1. Natalia Ivanova (Cheboksary) - 9.8
2. Grosheva - 9.775
3. D. Shamanskaya (Moscow) 9.55
Floor: 1. Svetlana Khorkina - 9.875
2. Yevgenia Roshchina (Moscow) - 9.725
3. Yu. Korosteleva (Moscow) - 9.625

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 94 14:42:44 BST
From: ***@axion.bt.co.uk
Subject: Worlds and TV

>I think Adriana is possibly right on the mark when she said the FIG could
>be catering to the American television networks, which DO pay the most (and
>then provide the worst coverage - go figure).

Well you can assume by that then they dont pay much for their coverage, I
cant see a TV company shelling out alot of money just to get an event just
so they can show it and then show it badly.

>I heard somewhere that it was
>because of American TV that the Winter and Summer Olympics got split up,
>because no network could afford to cover both in one year. I personally enjoyed
>having them both in the same year - it made them more special somehow - but if
>the IOC is going to cave in to pressure from American TV,


Well the olympics are on a slightly bigger scale than a gymnastics world
championship, it involves mega bucks so I can quite see the IOC wanting to
keep everyone happy.

>I could imagine
>the FIG doing the same. And as Adriana said, it's not a question of popularity;
>it all comes down to $$. Very sad in my opinion.

No I agree money is the probable cause but think of it this way round how many
countries do you lose out on if you arrange to only suit the US viewing
habits, the money you get from the US TV companies would be irrelevant
if your losing a greater amount from the other countries. Take the
forthcoming team worlds as an example, the amount of sporting events with
a greater interest in Europe in the month of November basically make it very
unlikely that any of that competition will be shown in Europe even though the
competition is in Germany. There is the final two races of the F1
season, with great European interest in the result, also the final round of
the World Rally Championship another sport followed closely in Europe,
theres also all the European football (soccer) action and all the domestic
leagues. Theres also the start of the Ashes tour of Australia and I think
several other big sporting events.

Now once youve delved through all that lot, theres not alot of space left
for the team world championships so consequently no-one buys the rights and
FIG lose money.

So whats my point then, the point is that either US TV is paying a very
large amount of money enough to off set the loss of several European and
probably several other countries broadcasters money or either that
someones not been checking their sports calendar too carefully.


Clive

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 08:42:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@minerva.cis.yale.edu
Subject: Worlds and TV (fwd)

> >I heard somewhere that it was
> >because of American TV that the Winter and Summer Olympics got split up,
> >because no network could afford to cover both in one year. I
personally enjoyed
> >having them both in the same year - it made them more special somehow
- but if > >the IOC is going to cave in to pressure from American TV,

I'm told splitting up the Olympics was suggested to Samaranch by the
president of ABC Sports, Dennis Swanson (?). But I'm not sure if it was
because of paying for them or just because he thought it would be a good
idea or what. ABC hasn't televised either one lately, so I dunno.
Personally, I like the idea. I was a little weird thinking of 1994 as an
Olympic year and of the whole thing as "really" the Olympics after only two
years, but I think that was a one-time problem that will go away now that
there's four years until the next one again. Having them the same year
makes the Winter Games too much of a "pre-game show" leading up to the
"real thing" and I think they may gain more respect by having the year
all to themselves.

And my guess is the FIG knows its sports calendar and has made the
choices that will get it the most money.

:)
Adriana

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 19:53:49 -0700 (MST)
From: ***@asu.edu
Subject: Worlds and TV/ home vids & misc

> Well you can assume by that then they dont pay much for their coverage, I
> cant see a TV company shelling out alot of money just to get an event just
> so they can show it and then show it badly.

Well, I guess they don't know how disappointed fans are with their
coverage and so they think its great. I mean, none of the network people
ever do any research it seems, and even if they do, it doesn't seem to
matter. Gymnastics is still not that popular, and it shows in the
coverage. I mean, can you imagine if football or basketball was covered
the way gymnastics is? The networks would get lambasted. When is the
last time you saw all four/six rotations in the American Cup? What do you
think would happen if FOX decided to skip the first quarter of an NFL game
to finish an LPGA tournament? Ha that would never happen. Or what if
they cut out a segment of the game to do a profile on an "upstart" that
sat on the bench the whole time anyway?
We never get the good meets anyway, only the MacDonald's American
Crap and Reebok "Who can we screw with made up rules this time?" Mixed
Pairs. I would looooooove to see a decently prestigous meet, one that is
actually held in high regard around the world. But like I said, the TV
people generally (well, David, YOU seem to have an interest in what fans
think) don't know about gymnastics and thus don't know that Chunichi,
DTB, and such exist and are the GOOD meets where the best performances
are.
Re: the worlds and stuff, I don't know why ABC shells out this
supposedly high amount of money only to cover it soo badly and stick it on
the back shelf the way they do. I've come to apprectiate home videos a
lot more because
a) you can see nearly all the routines b) you don't have
obnoxious announcers c) no commercials d) no waiting around for scores e)
no replays (hey I HAVE a slo-mo on my vcr)

The down side is, that the quality isn't as good and sometimes
it's hard to tell who is who. But the ups outweigh the downs, so to
really see a meet I'd rather have the actual meet on tape, instead of the
broadcast.

Amanda


------------------------------

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 09:29:41 +0800
From: ***@Eng.Sun.COM
Subject: Worlds and TV/ home vids & misc

Maybe I've watched too much "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues", but
I've come to peace with TV's coverage of gymnastics. I laughed
at a lot of Tim Daggett's jokes during this year's Nationals
broadcast (but they were pretty funny, so that was easy). It
no longer bugs me when they skip a nice routine (though it would
be nice to see at least *some* of the men's stuff once in a while.)
I don't even cringe at the thought of John Tesh ever rejoining the
announcer team of a major gymnastics broadcast.

Watching gymnastics with my mom (who lives in Atlanta, but she could
easily be living in Peoria), it used to be so frustrating. I'd say
"Watch this, Mom!" before some impressive skill. Invariably she would
either space out and forget to look or say "Wow, look at that baby
flying around like that. Hmm." I don't think I could get her to
focus on an entire meet if her life depended on it. Judging from
the reactions of my normal friends (those that aren't obsessed with
gymnastics like I am) I think this is pretty typical. They like to
see it whenever it's on, but it really won't ruin their day (since
they won't even know) if they miss Lysenko's vault. I'm sure TV
people are aware of this. Because of this I'm just happy to see it
in any way shape or form when it's on.

Now if I owned a TV station, it would be nonstop gymnastics, interlaced
with Twilight Zone and Cops episodes. Maybe a Green Acres marathon
every now and then. They'd call it "the geo channel." ;^)

-George

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 19:56:50 -0700 (MST)
From: ***@asu.edu
Subject: Yevgeniya Roschina

Has anyone ever heard of Yevgeniya Roschina, the new Russian National
Champion, before?

I've never heard of her before and am interested in what her routines are
and everything.

Amanda

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End of gymn Digest
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