[Aug 31-Sept 1] TV Alert: : Marius Urzica in "Intercities" TV show
   Marius Urzica, and Maria  Olaru and Daniela Sofronie can be seen tonight (from 20,45, Semifinals) and tommorow (20,45-Finals) at final editions of "Games at Saint Tropez" (local name of a popular TV show, "Intercities", which has started back in 1962 in France), to be aired by Antena1, available live on web (click here).100 top athletes from each country compete in some funny games.
  Romania, Italy, Ukraine and Russia have their teams at Saint Tropez, a popular French (VIP's) resort. In the end, one country will get the Trophy. Link: Antena 1 live

[Aug 31] Conner to assist in telethon
Pioneer Press Online - Glenview,IL,USA
   Former Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Bart Conner will return to co-host the Chicago segments of the Muscular Dystrophy Association Jerry Lewis Telethon Monday. Conner, who attended Niles West High School, first served as a host for the telethon in1989. The 48-year-old Conner, along with wife Nadia Comaneci, makes nationwide appearaces year-round for the association. The couple's first child, Dylan Paul, was born June 3 and Comaneci will skip this year's event.

[Aug 31] Gymnastics Center Closes, Parents Search For Alternatives
WISC - Madison,WI,USA
  MADISON, Wis. -- The closure of a Madison gymnastics facility on the East Side has left some area parents looking for answers. Signs at All-Star Gymnastics informed parents the facility is closed indefinitely. The signs were posted Tuesday, after the arrest of its owner, who now faces charges of viewing child porn on his office computer.

Videos: New to DVD: See you in September
 Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA
  Sept 12: "The Death of Mr. Lazarescu": Commentary on the failings of the Romanian medical system.
  Sept 19: "Stick It": A talented rebel who once walked away from gymnastics finds herself back in that world, at the order of a juvenile court judge. Jeff Bridges plays a legendary hard-nosed coach.

[Aug 30] Fate Of Madison Gymnastics School Unclear After Owner's Arrest
WISC - Madison,WI,USA
  MADISON, Wis. -- The arrest of the owner of a Madison gymnastics school on child pornography charges could close his facility where 600 students are enrolled -- many of whom are children. Patrick Okopinski, 37, of Sun Prairie, is charged with 26 counts of possessing child pornography. Okopinski is a former University of Wisconsin-Madison gymnast and has owned All Star Gymnastics since 1999.

[Aug 30] Porn case may close gymnastics school
Wisconsin State Journal - Madison,WI,USA
   The owner of an East Side gymnastics school said Tuesday that he might have to sell his business after being charged with 26 counts of possessing child pornography. Police were investigating a separate alleged crime involving an instructor employed by Patrick A. Okopinski when they found what they believe to be child pornography on computers at All Star Gymnastics, 808 Walsh Road, according to court records.

[Aug 30] Gymnastics Owner Charged With Possession of Child Pornography
WMTV - Madison,WI,USA
  Madison: The All Star Gymnastics coach and owner Patrick Okopinski was charged today with 26 counts of possession of child pornography. Okopinski made his initial appearance in court Tuesday, charged with 26 felonies for possession of child pornography. If convicted Okopinski would be on lifetime supervision as a serious sex offender. "This is a very strong case your honor. The defendant has confessed to accessing the child pornography actually at the gymnastics center," says A.D.A. Mike Verveer.

[Aug 29] Study: Gymnasts More Likely To Get Hurt Than Boxers
The Sweet Science - USA
  A new study in the August issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine has been released which states that boxers actually have a lower risk of injury than athletes in sports such as gymnastics.
  Published data on other sports then shows that boxing a less risky activity than contact sports like soccer, rugby, basketball, field hockey and elite-level gymnastics, the study indicates.

[Aug 28] Clock Starts Ticking for Monday Shuttle Launch
Sci-Tech Today - USA
  Atlantis' crew, who have been training together for more than four years, includes pilot Chris Ferguson and mission specialists Joe Tanner, Dan Burbank, Heidemarie Piper and Steve MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency. [the launch was re-scheduled for today]
  "Walking out to the pad will be much like walking into an Olympic stadium for your athletic event," said MacLean , (click for his bio) who was on the Canadian National Gymnastics team three decades ago. "With a team like this ... I promise you we'll bring home a gold medal."

[Aug 28] Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner Baptized Their First Child, Dylan
Jurnalul National - Bucharest,Romania
   We may not be aware which “the wedding of the century” was this year, but we can certainly tell which was the Orthodox baptizing of the year: the one of Dylan Paul, the first child of former Olympic gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner. The three-month old baby was christened in Los Angeles, California, were his godmother Anastasia Soare lives.

[Aug 27] Apparatus finals Romania vs. Great Britain

Vault
1. Imogen Cairns (GBR)- 14.325
2. Sandra Isbasa (ROM)- 14.225
3. Emma White (GBR)- 13. 825

Bars
1. Steliana Nistor (ROM)- 15.200
2. Lynette Lisle (GBR)- 14.700
3. Aisling Williams (GBR)- 14.250

[Aug 27] TV alert: Marius Urzica in "Intercities" TV show
   Marius Urzica will be the Guest Star during this Sunday edition of "Games at Saint Tropez" (local name of a popular TV show, "Intercities", which has started back in 1962 in France), to be aired Sunday (starting 20,45) by Antena1, available live on web (click here).100 top athletes from each country compete in some funny games.
  Romania, Italy, Ukraine and Russia have their teams at Saint Tropez, a popular French (VIP's) resort. In the end, one country will get the Trophy. Many top Romanian athletes, including gymnasts-like Maria  Olaru and Daniela Sofronie could be seen in this show past weeks. Link: Antena 1 live

[Aug 26] Romanian gymnastics Team wins Newcastle contest
Team and All-around Event Three times Olympic, seven times World and four times European Team Champions, Romania, won the Friendly Women’s Gymnastics International in Newcastle versus Great Britain both in the Team (231.80: 223.45) and the Individual All-around events.
Photo: Sandra Izbasa
by A.Edwards

1. Steliana Nistor (59.45)
2. Sandra Izbasa (58.75)
3. Aluissa Lacusteanu (57.10)

[Aug 26] Romanian gymnastics team compete in Great Britain
Saturday 26th - Team Competition from 3pm
Sunday 27th - Individual apparatus from 2pm
  The leading nation in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Romania, (3 times Olympic and 7 times World Team Champions) are coming to Britain to meet the GB National Team in a Friendly International at the Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence in Newcastle on 26/27 August 2006.
  Romanian gymnastics team: Sandra Izbasa, Steliana Nistor, Daniela Druncea, Andreea Grigore and Loredana Sucar.
  Both nations consider this event as an important checkpoint in their preparation for the World Championships in Aarhus (DEN), in October

[Aug 26] TV Alert: Dylan Comaneci Conner christening at ProTV
Romanian ProTV will have special live coverage (Saturday, Aug 26 and Sunday, Aug 27), during their 19.00 news program. Romanian TV star Andreea Esca (famous for her $50,000 monthly income, the biggest in the country) will send live reports about the "Baby Boy Zece" christening.

[Aug 25] Lavinia Milosovici returns from treatment at Beijing Clinic
  Lavinia Milosovici left Beijing this morning, after a 40 days OEC cells treatment at famous Dr.Huang Hongyun Clinic in Beijing, for her daughter Denisa. Julia, secretary of Dr.Huang: "Milosovici and her child flied back to Romania this morning and everything is fine."  

Photo: Lavinia Milosovici and Dr.Huang Hongyun in a Good Bye! photo, this morning in Beijing


[Aug 24] Young gymnasts train with legendary coach
Agoura Hills Acorn - CA,USA
  Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug, Dominique Moceanu. Prestigious names in the world of Olympic gymnasts-all of them champions and all of them coached by Bela Karolyi. Now add Heather Clare, Lexie Katzman, Jessica Lackmeyer, Jordan Landsberg, Eszter Boldis, Katy Rupp and Leah Anderson to the list of girls who have had the chance to train with the legendary gymnastics coach.
  The seven girls, representing Cal Storm All-Star cheer squad from the Superstars Cheer Training Center in Westlake Village, traveled to Texas over the summer with their coach, Kimberly Andersen, for the experience of a lifetime at Karolyi's Camp. The girls were treated to a weeklong training experience at the Romanian coach's 500-acre U.S. Women's Olympic Training Center north of Houston.
  The 63-year-old Karolyi, who has coached both the Romanian and U.S. Olympic girls gymnastics teams to gold medals, made sure the girls had fun as well. The evenings were packed with boat rides, horseback riding, a beauty contest, swimming and other activities. "It was totally amazing,"

[Aug 24] Romanian gymnastics team compete in Great Britain
Saturday 26th - Team Competition from 3pm
Sunday 27th - Individual apparatus from 2pm
  The leading nation in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Romania, (3 times Olympic and 7 times World Team Champions) are coming to Britain to meet the GB National Team in a Friendly International at the Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence in Newcastle on 26/27 August 2006.
  Romanian gymnastics team: Sandra Izbasa, Steliana Nistor, Daniela Druncea and Loredana Sucar.
  Both nations consider this event as an important checkpoint in their preparation for the World Championships in Aarhus (DEN), in October

[Aug 24] TV Alert: Dylan Comaneci Conner christening at ProTV
Romanian ProTV will have special live coverage (Saturday, Aug 26 and Sunday, Aug 27), during their 19.00 news program. Romanian TV star Andreea Esca (famous for her $50,000 monthly income, the biggest in the country) will send live reports about the "Baby Boy Zece" christening.

Edmunds.com/Inside Line - Santa Monica,CA,USA : Generations
1976. It was our country's bicentennial, Jimmy Carter was elected president, "Rocky" was the big movie that year and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci attained the first-ever perfect scores in Olympic gymnastics. Oh, and Honda introduced the Accord.

[Aug 23] Liukin reigns as gymnastics queen, but just barely
USA Today - USA
  ST. PAUL — When her winning score popped up, Nastia Liukin was the most surprised girl in the gym. And the second-place finisher, Natasha Kelley, got a firsthand look at how the not-so-perfect world of gymnastics really works. Liukin won her second straight national title Saturday despite closing her night with a wobbling, warbling beam routine that belied her usual elegance and excellence.
  It might have looked bad for America to sent a relative no-name to this year's worlds as the national champ. Either way, it's hard to deny Liukin is very, very good, even when she makes mistakes.

[Aug 22] Sportsmen, under Securitate collaboration probe in Romania
Axis News - USA
   After politicians, civil servants, teachers, journalists, it’s the turn of sportsmen to admit whether they were involved in political policing or not, Romanian daily Nine O’Clock writes. General Ion Mihai Pacepa, former deputy head of the Communist secret police, Securitate, Foreign Intelligence Directorate, told the Adevarul daily last week that important sportsmen sent abroad had to collaborate with Securitate and that “most of the people at Dinamo and Steaua were recruited by the military counter-intelligence department.”
  Presidential adviser on sports affairs Mariana Bitang does not believe that there were Securitate collaborators in the Romanian gymnastics, and believes this “file craze that has swept Romania for several days now” to be exaggerated.
[romanian-gymnastics.com note: "Fanatik" weekly printed few months ago documents from Karoly's Securitate files which do proves there were Securitate collaborators in the Romanian gymnastics; also Matei Stanei, first Ponor coach, said in "Adevarul that he could not travel abroad for years because somebody has filed reports against him"]

[Aug 22] Go ‘Gyro’ to sculpt, stretch and strengthen
MSNBC - USA
  Years of living with Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder, had caused Kari Hyer's muscles and bones to weaken. After undergoing surgery to treat the condition, she needed to rebuild her strength but weight machines "felt horrible," says Hyer, who lives in Gwynedd Valley, Pa., outside of Philadelphia.
   So she began doing yoga and Pilates, both of which helped. But she credits Gyrotonics — billed as a combination of gymnastics, ballet, swimming and yoga that simultaneously stretches and strengthens the body — with really turning things around.
  "Even though I was weak, I could move," says Hyer, 46. "It felt graceful." Her spine, once rounded, is now almost straight again, and her muscles are stronger. She also says Gyrotonics helped ease the depression she suffered with her condition. Like Hyer, a growing number of people are going "Gyro." In the last five years, the worldwide number of studios and gyms offering it has increased from 300 to more than 1,200, including almost 700 in the United States.
  While Gyrotonics has been gaining momentum in recent years, it's actually been around since the 1980s, when it was developed by Romanian-born ballet dancer Juliu Horvath after he suffered a career-ending injury and began searching for new ways for dancers to improve their technique.

[Aug 22] U.S. gymnastics names worlds coach
SportsIllustrated.com-USA
  NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma's Mark Williams was selected Monday to be the head coach of the U.S. gymnastics team for this year's world championships. Williams, who led the Sooners to four NCAA titles in the past five years, was honored last week as the USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year.
  The world championships will be held Oct. 14-22 in Aarhus, Denmark. The top 12 teams qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Surprise, surprise! Artemev wins unexpected U.S. gymnastics title
SportsIllustrated.com-USA
  ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The plan was for Sasha Artemev to start peaking this time next year. The only question now is whether the gold medal he won Friday night will weigh him down. Artemev, the prodigy of a former Soviet champion, capped his faster-than-expected comeback by winning the U.S. gymnastics title -- a surprise to pretty much everyone in the sport, including himself.
  Still rehabilitating from an extensive shoulder injury 18 months ago, the 20-year-old went 6-for-6 in the finals to win easily, with 180.85 points to 179.3 for runner-up Jonathan Horton.

[Aug 22] Olympic 2012 dream!
This is Swindon - Swindon,Wiltshire,UK
  GYMNASTICS: Swindon Gymnastic and Trampoline Academy Esprit has launched an X-factor style search for potential Olympians to represent the town at the 2012 London Olympics.
  "Gymnastics and trampoline are probably the hardest of all the Olympic sports to master, but by starting at the right age, with the very best coaches, there is every possibility that the next gymnastic superstar is out there, just waiting to be discovered."
   "Gymnastics is so popular that very few children ever leave the sport once they become involved, so lots of children miss out on the chance to start gymnastics at the right age and achieve their full potential."

[Aug 21] U.S. GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Young make way; veterans have say
At 14, Johnson shines; criticisms by Hamm, Moceanu add buzz to event
Houston Chronicle - United States
   Moceanu, however, also added another level of buzz to the proceedings in the wake of her unsuccessful effort to compete in the senior event. As she did during her career as one of the best U.S. gymnasts of the last decade, she had people taking notice this time, however, because of her words, not deeds.
  "I deserved to be here. I earned my right to be here," she said. "They (USA Gymnastics) should be ashamed of what they did to their Olympic champion." Seated with her coach and fiancé, former Ohio State gymnast and Cleveland physician Mike Canales, Moceanu said,
  "I love that I'm not controlled and don't have to be zipped up. I have a mind of my own and will say what needs to be said. In a way, I speak for athletes who can't speak up. A lot of athletes have emotional scars from the sport, and it's unfortunate."

[Aug 21] Nationals produce mixed messages in gymnastics world
San Diego Union Tribune - United States
  ST. PAUL, Minn. – The national gymnastics championships had some refreshing sights: the unexpected emergence of Sasha Artemev on the men's side and a perky new kid called “Peanut” for the women.
  There was plenty of disturbing stuff, too: a wobbly performance by all the other men, the still-unknown future of Paul and Morgan Hamm and a new scoring system that appeared confusing, at best, corrupt, at worst.
  Liukin won despite a terrible wobble on her final beam routine that even she thought might push her back into second place. Judges conferred for an inordinate amount of time before awarding Liukin a score that made her the champion, .5 points better than hard-luck Natasha Kelley. Most of the major characters in this one played it down the middle, stopping well short of charging corruption, but acknowledging the truth in gymnastics – that better athletes can sometimes receive better scores because of who they are as much as how they perform. There also was the theory that the U.S. team doesn't want to head to the worlds with an unknown as its national champion. Much safer, in the big picture, for Liukin to hold that title.

[Aug 20] Happy Birthday! to Catalina Ponor !
Post your greetings messages for her into our Forum, she will read your messages later today.












[Aug 20] Weekend TV highlights
Sunday:
2006 Visa Women’s Championships, from St. Paul, Minn. 7 p.m. on NBC.

[Aug 20] Gymnastics: Wobbly Liukin repeats as champ
Seattle Times - United States
  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Not exactly at her best when it counted most, Nastia Liukin performed well enough to win her second straight national gymnastics title Saturday night. The 16-year-old overcame a big wobble on her closing beam routine to defeat Natasha Kelley, the defending junior champion and one of the few gymnasts who actually professed to wanting to win.
  Under the new scoring system debuting this year, vaults tend to be the highest-scoring events.   "It's the politics of gymnastics," said 1984 Olympic champion Mary Lou Retton, whose daughter trains with Kelley. "I felt the scoring was unfortunate. I believe Natasha Kelley should have won this competition."

[Aug 20] Bela Karolyi, Dominique Moceanu led cheers for Shawn Johnson
DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA,USA
St. Paul, Minn. - Bela Karolyi and Dominique Moceanu led cheers for Shawn Johnson on Saturday, and she rewarded the legendary former Olympic coach and his one-time superstar with the junior national gold medal. It was presented by Mary Lou Retton. "I've wanted to meet her for a long time," said Johnson, 14, of West Des Moines. Where better to bump into the 1984 Olympic champion than the medal podium?

[Aug 20] Quote of the week
"Gymnastics is losing some of its grace," "I don't know how you can put artistic expression into a floor exercise that requires six tumbling elements." - Amanda Borden, a member of the so-called "Magnificent Seven" U.S. women's gymnastics team that won the team gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta
[note for the Romanian coaches & media: please note that US gymnastics & media does pay attention and consideration to the 7th gymnast of the team, the reserve of the team; a nice thing to be done in future in Romanian gymnastics, too]

[Aug 20] Receiving gold medal from Retton 'cool'
Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA
  Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, held onto her first-day lead — thanks in part to a 16.200 score in the balance beam — to win the junior women's all-around title Saturday at the Visa Championships at the Xcel Energy Center.
  Johnson, 14, was supported by a loud cheering section from home and received an extra thrill when her gold medal was awarded to her by U.S. Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton.
  "It was so cool to have Mary Lou Retton give me my medal," Johnson said. "I have wanted to meet her for such a long time."

[Aug 20] Up-and-coming 'Peanut' hopes to peak in Beijing
San Diego Union Tribune - United States
  ST. PAUL, Minn. – Shawn Johnson already knows how to write her name in Chinese. That could, of course, come in handy for the young gymnast in a couple years.
   The 14-year-old from West Des Moines, Iowa, won the U.S. Gymnastics junior title Saturday after a second day of near-flawless performance that separated her from the rest of the field by more than four points.
    None other than Mary Lou Retton put the gold medal around Johnson's neck. “I've wanted to meet her for a long time, or just see her,” Johnson said. “To have her be the one to give me the gold, it's amazing.”
   The 4-foot-6, 85-pound gymnast, given the nickname “Peanut” by former Olympian Dominique Moceanu, caught the eye of team coordinator Martha Karolyi about 18 months ago when Liang sent a video to Karolyi's ranch.

[Aug 19] U.S. Gymnastics Championships Results -WAG
Associated Press
1. Nastia Liukin, Parker, Texas, 123.700 points.
2. Natasha Kelley, Katy, Texas, 123.200.
3. Jana Bieger, Coconut Creek, Fla., 123.000.
4. Chellsie Memmel, West Allis, Wis., 121.400.
5. Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass., 121.000.
6. Ashley Priess, West Chester, Ohio, 120.900.

[Aug 19] Sending the fitness message through gymnastics
Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA
  ST. PAUL, Minn. - Steve Penny wondered why he never thought of it earlier. The president of USA Gymnastics was at a New Year's Eve party, and over a few bottles of wine he asked aloud: Why can't 2006 be the year kids around the country connect fitness and gymnastics? They are, after all, two words that go hand in hand, though not quite as obviously as maybe they should. Eight months later, the idea is alive and well.
  And kids across America are participating, using gymnastics to stay fit in an era where child obesity rates are soaring and the Playstation is outpacing the playground as a prime source of entertainment.
  The initiative is important for USA Gymnastics on another level. The federation needs to keep the pipeline of athletes flowing. For any sport, that effort starts at the grass-roots levels, with programs like this. "In these programs, they're not always there looking for the next Shannon Miller, looking for the next Bart Conner," said Bela Karolyi, who with his wife, Martha, runs the U.S. women's program. "They're also doing the quiet job of helping you grow up as a healthy kid, grow up with confidence, accomplishing something and saying, `Yes, I did it!'"

[Aug 19] Weekend TV highlights
Saturday:
2006 Visa Women’s Championships, from St. Paul, Minn. 8 p.m. on NBC.

Sunday:
2006 Visa Women’s Championships, from St. Paul, Minn. 7 p.m. on NBC.

[Aug 19] World Equestrian Games starts Sunday in Germany
San Jose Mercury News - CA, USA
  Elizabeth Ioannou, a fifth grader at Foothill Elementary in Saratoga, often finds herself suspended 12 feet in the air while sharing a moving horse with two teammates.
  Welcome to the sport of vaulting, which is part of the World Equestrian Games, starting Sunday in Germany. Ioannou, 10, is the youngest athlete in U.S. history to compete in the event. Ioannou discovered the sport three years ago. Mike Ioannou, a San Jose lawyer, said his daughter chose vaulting over gymnastics despite her success in the latter sport.

[Aug 18] Denogean: Community is with gymnast as he recovers
Tucson Citizen - Tucson,AZ,USA
  Coach Yoichi Tomita says, in the sport of gymnastics, you're OK if you get up one more time than you fall. The same is true in life. Andrew Donnellan, a 16-year-old Tucson gymnast, suffered a paralyzing fall in May. But his is more than just a story of a tragic accident.
  Today, as Andrew struggles toward recovery in a specialty hospital near Denver, many caring folks are working here at home to help this brave young man rise to the challenges his future holds. They are organizing fundraisers, remodeling the Donnellan home and keeping Andrew and his mother, Fran Donnellan, in their prayers.

[Aug 18] Artemev Wins an Unexpected Championship
Forbes - USA
  Artemev, the prodigy of a former Soviet champion, capped his faster-than-expected comeback by winning the U.S. gymnastics title - a surprise to pretty much everyone in the sport, including himself.
   Still rehabilitating from an extensive shoulder injury 18 months ago, the 20-year-old went 6-for-6 in the finals to win easily, with 180.85 points to 179.3 for runner-up Jonathan Horton.
   "It's a dream come true," Artemev said. "I've been improving for a while. We came in. No one was talking about Sasha. It feels good."

[Aug 18] U.S. Gymnastics Championships Results
Vault
1. David Sender, Stanford, Calif., 32.600.
2. Clay Strother, Minneapolis, 31.750.
3. Steven Legendre, Flowermound, Texas, 31.650.
4. Guillermo Alvarez, Minneapolis, 31.600.
5. Viorel Popescu, Glen Allen, Va., 31.550.

[Aug 18] Karolyi system pays off for U.S. gymnastics
  ...In 2003, USA Gymnastics opened a state-of-the-art training center on the Karolyis' 2,000-acre spread near Houston. The nation's best gymnasts now assemble there every four to six weeks to train under the direction of Martha Karolyi, who has been the U.S. women's team coordinator since 2001. The sessions last four or five days.
  The girls live together in cabins on the property, where they play cards and watch movies in a summer-camp atmosphere, allowing them to relax and forge friendships. That contrasts with the intensive training that takes up much of their days.
  By regularly working together under Karolyi's strict standards, the athletes learn the skills and style they need to succeed in international competition. Their hometown coaches, who accompany them, learn the same lessons and take them home to incorporate into everyday training. And the atmosphere at once collegial and sharply competitive gives the girls both the toughness and the support system they need to reach their sport's highest levels.

[Aug 18] U.S. GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Top women all have reasons to be happy; Liukin leads over Kelley
  ST. PAUL, MINN. - Women's gymnastics in the United States has become a marathon, with competitions leading to training camps, followed by more competitions leading to selection camps and the 2006 world championships — and that's even before the final two-year run leading toward the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
  Nastia Liukin, the defending national champion from suburban Dallas, held the opening-day all-around lead and had the night's top scores on uneven bars and balance beam as she continued to tune up new elements in three of four events.
   Defending world all-around champion Chellsie Memmel, who began training on uneven bars and vault less than a month ago while recovering from a shoulder injury, was tied for third in the all-around behind Liukin and Kelley and performed well enough to stay on track for a repeat trip to worlds. And Alicia Sacramone, the defending world champion in floor exercise, defended her turf in that event and had the night's best score on vault as she, too, tuned up for another world championships.

[Aug 17] BBC to make epic Olympic series
  The BBC is to make an epic documentary on the history of the Olympics which will air in the run-up to the 2012 games in London.
  Five hour-long programmes have already been sold to 22 territories. Faster, Higher, Stronger will tell the stories behind memorable Olympic moments, using unseen archive footage and interviews with sports stars.
  The influence of the Cold War will be seen through the story of Nadia Comaneci, who was first put under pressure by her native Romania to become the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect 10 score.

[Aug 17] Moceanu Blocked from Competing at U.S. National Championships
  Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Dominique Moceanu will be present at the USA Gymnastics national championships in St. Paul this week, but she won't be competing, despite an appeal to USAG to permit her to do so. Moceanu will be on hand with her former Olympic teammates to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Magnificent Seven's triumph in Atlanta.
   After bouncing back from surgery for Achilles tendonosis, participation at this year's Team USA Training Camp, and a crowd-pleasing performance at U.S. Classic last month, Moceanu had hoped to be given an opportunity to compete at Nationals this week, but lost her appeal to USA Gymnastic's grievance panel last Thursday in a 2-1 vote and will not be allowed to participate.
   "The bottom line is that I simply wanted to be given a chance to compete," said Moceanu. "My coach Michael Canales and I had been notified that two specific criteria needed to be achieved to enable me to compete at Nationals - to attend a National Team Training Camp and to compete at the U.S. Classic meet on at least one event. I completed both of these criteria."

[Aug 17] World Exclusive: Romanian Gymnastics Stars Boulevard in Deva!
Deva, Romania
  Local Hunedoara county Prefecture*, headquarted in Deva, has announced today, during a press conference, that it will support the project initiated by
www.romanian-gymnastics.com and will start to work for transforming the Deva city central Boulevard into a Romanian Gymnastics Stars Boulevard. All important names in Romanian gymnastics will have their own Star, same way as the famous "Walk of Fame" -a Hollywood Boulevard, which was transformed into a Movie Stars Boulevard.

[Aug 17] The Biggest event in Romanian gymnastics, since Montreal!
(coming in minutes)

(another) World Exclusive!
On Aug 17, after 10,00 EST: important news about Romanian gymnastics!
Related story:World Exclusive: Perfect Ten Broadcast into Space

[Aug 16] Cracked code
Houston Chronicle - United States
  Since the new International Gymnastics Federation code of points was instituted after the controversial markdowns given Alexei Nemov on high bar during the 2004 Olympics, several gymnasts and coaches find it ironic that the new code has influenced gymnasts to cut back on release moves and stick to safer pirouettes on the bar.
  "I can't say that's the best thing, because gymnastics is known for being big and bold and strong," said 2004 Olympic alternate Raj Bhavsar. "The code is pushing them to do intricate things to stay on the bar, whereas in the old days you'd see guys making three and four huge releases. Now there's such a risk with point deductions."
  "It's kind of boring," said Miles Avery, who coaches at Ohio State and coached 2000 Olympic all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm and his twin brother, Morgan. "You'll see guys here doing lots of pirouettes. It all looks the same." One who won't stick to that mold is Jonathan Horton of Houston, who plans three Kovacs releases in his routine. "Most times, people who do my type of high bar (routine) look sloppy. It doesn't look good," Horton said. "I've done it so long that it looks decent, and judges don't take too many deductions."

[Aug 16] One step at a time for area gymnast
Dallas Morning News - TX,USA
  PLANO – Between SAT preparation classes and the dream of attending SMU next year, gymnast Nastia Liukin works steadily on her game plan for the 2008 Olympics. The key word is "steadily."
  For Liukin, 16, nothing matters more than having a strategic plan, well-paced and with the flexibility to allow her a balanced life. And oh, yeah, a bit of fun is on the agenda. A new beach volleyball court is taking shape in the backyard of the family's home in Parker, where Liukin moved with her parents, Valeri and Anna, from Plano last fall. In the next two years, Liukin intends to add new skills and refinements for the Beijing Summer Games.

[Aug 15] Katy gymnast ready for first senior national
Houston Chronicle - United States
   ...Business for Natasha, a high school junior, includes daily training and home schooling. "She gets her classes on DVD, and she almost does school on her own," Troy Kelley said. "She manages every moment really well. She remains focused on what she's doing. And you'd never know she was a national champion, because you'll never hear her talk about it. She's an ordinary kid." Others have noticed, though.
   Martha Karolyi, USA Gymnastics' national women's team coordinator, praises Kelley's balanced skill set, and Karolyi and Kathy Kelly, a USA Gymnastics vice president see a hint of past champions in her businesslike approach. "Shannon (Miller) was a lot like that," Kelly said, referring to the seven-time Olympic medalist. "So was Nadia (Comaneci)," said Karolyi, recalling the five-time Olympic gold medalist. Kelly laughed, adding, "We don't want her to change."

[Aug 14] Passion, perseverance define Karolyi
Minneapolis Star Tribune-Minneapolis,MN,USA
  "I had a dream," said Karolyi, who coached Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton and the 1996 U.S. women's team to Olympic gold. "Where I grew up, it was a coal mining town. No one did sports. But I went back and organized the kids in gymnastics, and I felt a satisfaction I never had before."
  "People here told me, 'American kids are lazy.' I knew that wasn't true. Every child wants to have a great achievement. I made it because I believed in the potential of kids."

[Aug 13] U.S. gymnasts working behind the scenes: Spirit of '96 lives on
Houston Chronicle - United States
  Had things gone according to plan, Dominique Moceanu would be wearing her warmup suit and competition leotard when she joined six teammates from the 1996 U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team — the Magnificent Seven — next Saturday in St. Paul, Minn.
   However, with last week's decision denying Moceanu the chance to compete at the USA Gymnastics national championships that begin Wednesday, that scenario isn't happening.
   Moceanu, 24, still plans to be in St. Paul on Saturday with the darlings of Atlanta as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their dramatic gold medal victory and their first appearance together since at least 1997.

[Aug 13] Scoreboard watching isn't so easy in gymnastics
Duluth News Tribune - Duluth,MN,USA
All that booing at the last Olympics sparked some big changes in the world of gymnastics. The scoring and judging systems have been revamped. The perfect 10 is out and video replay is in. And now, many insiders believe, the fans might be too confused to boo. Gymnastics of the future takes its first big step onto the American stage next week at the U.S. Championships. Not all the reviews are positive.
   "For me, it hasn't really created what we hoped it would create," said men's national team coordinator Ron Brant. "It wasn't tested well before it was implemented. There are many problems with it."
   The scoring system has been so poorly received around the world that the International Gymnastics Federation already is committed to adjusting the Code of Points for the 2007 season. Whatever is agreed upon then will be used through the Beijing Olympics. "We're working with it, accepting it, making the best of it," Brant said. "It would have been nice if it had been tested prior to implementation." At a recent international event, scoring took an inordinate amount of time because judges were dissecting each and every routine on replay.

[August 13] TV alert: Daniela Sofronie in "Intercities" TV show
Daniela Sofronie is the top star during this week edition of "Games at Saint Tropez" (local name of a popular TV show, "Intercities", which has started back in 1962 in France), to be aired tonight (20h45) by Antena1 TV station in Romania.100 top athletes from each country compete in some funny games. Romania, Italy, Ukraine and Russia have their teams at Saint Tropez, a popular French (VIP) resort. In the end, one country will get the Trophy. Maria Olaru played as Captain for the Romanian team back in July. Link: Antena 1 live

[Aug 13] New scoring on display at championships
Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA
   All that booing at the last Olympics sparked some changes in gymnastics. The scoring and judging systems have been revamped. The perfect 10 is out and video replay is in. And now, many insiders believe, the fans might be too confused to boo. Gymnastics of the future takes its first big step onto the American stage next week at the U.S. Championships.
  World champion Chellsie Memmel and Nastia Liukin are the favorites on the women's side.
   In place of the perfect 10 is a two-level scoring system. One panel of judges will rate the difficulty of the routine, combining the preset value of the 10 highest elements and adding points for connections or required skills. The other panel takes deductions from a 10-point base. The two marks are combined and the final number is the total score.

[Aug 12] Report: China school preparing gymnasts for 2008 Olympics
NDTV.com - New Delhi, India
  Over the years gymnastics is a sport in which the Chinese have dominated and one of its most famous sports schools has played a huge role in grooming these young athletes. The Shichahai sports school in downtown Beijing is seen as the cradle of China's future stars. This 20-year-old sports academy has produced several world-class gymnasts and badminton champions.
  But all these efforts in grooming champions have often been criticised as being little more than physical abuse, a very tough training regimen at an age when the body hasn't been fully formed. This controversy over Chinese training practices has raged for more than a decade. In the meanwhile, this school quietly goes about its business of producing champions with a view to topping the medals tally in Beijing in 2008.

Zee News - Noida,India : Broadcasters in midst of tough meetings
  They want to move the finals of the swimming, gymnastics and men's basketball to morning sessions to ensure live coverage in prime-time for American television audiences.
  NBC paid US$ 3.55 billion for the rights to three Olympic Games, including Beijing, and the International Olympic Committee was immediately accused of bowing to financial interests at the expense of its athletes.
  "First of all, the session should create good environment for the athletes to have high performance and this in line with the athlete-centred approach that has always been advocated by the IOC. On the other hand, we will also take consideration of the stakeholders of different regions and different interests": Wang Wei, Vice President of BOCOG.
  However, if NBC and its billions prevail, the IOC is certain to be accused of putting the almighty dollar ahead of the interests of its own athletes.

[Aug 11] Panel rejects gold medalist's attempt to enter nationals
Associated Press
  INDIANAPOLIS - A USA Gymnastics appeals panel rejected former Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu's petition to compete at next week's national championships.
  Moceanu, attempting a comeback at age 24, competed in vault and floor exercise last month at a qualifying event and finished among the bottom five in both events. She petitioned the athlete selection committee to advance to nationals, but that petition was denied. She appealed that decision to the grievance panel, and the appeal was denied Thursday, with regrets. "Everyone wants to give an Olympic gold medalist a chance to come back if they can," the panel wrote in its decision. But "despite the selection committee looking at several creative ways to analyze Dom's performance, they could not find a fair way to justify her readiness for the competition."
  Moceanu acknowledged the decision Thursday on her Web site. "Sometimes life is unfair and corruption outweighs justice (in my case anyway), but in the end my life WILL continue and I WILL be happy," she wrote.
  "However, this is not over yet. I will be posting some recent training clips before the weekend."  

[Aug 11] Bevacqua named state's sports official of the year
Moultrie Observer - Moultrie,GA,USA
  MOULTRIE — When Becky Bevacqua decided to become a gymnastics judge, she thought it would help enable more high school meets to be held in South Georgia. Little did she know that four years later, she would be honored by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and the Georgia Athletic Officials Association as their All-Sports Official of the Year. The Georgia High School Gymnastics Judges had already named her as the state’s Judge of the Year. And those two awards came on the heels of her being named the county’s STAR Teacher by STAR Student Stuart Cashwell.
  Bevacqua says the two judging awards help validate that gymnastics in South Georgia is being taken seriously around the state.

[Aug 11] Chinese Olympic veterans set to compete in gymnastics worlds
People's Daily Online - Beijing, China
  China will send a team combined with veterans and youths to the Aarhus world artistic gymnastics championships in October. Chinese head coach Huang Yubin hinted on Thursday that Sydney Olympic champions Yang Wei and Huang Xu, who missed the Melbourne championships last year to make places for rookies, would compete in Aarhus, although their leading gymnast Li Xiaopeng had been confirmed to be absent due to injury.
  "Different from the Melbourne tournament, this time we will select gymnasts depending on their performances. I think it will be a squad consisting of veterans and young gymnasts," he said.

[Aug 11] Dominique Moceanu rejected from Nationals
Washington Post - United States
GYMNASTICS: A USA Gymnastics appeals panel rejected former Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu 's petition to compete at next week's national championships in Indianapolis. Moceanu, attempting a comeback at age 24, competed in vault and floor exercise last month at a qualifying event and finished among the bottom five in both events

[Aug 10] Quotes of the week
Hartwell Sun - Hartwell,GA,USA
  “I like my friends and stuff, but (Moceanu, Patterson and Kuppetts') lives were in the gym - no proms, cheerleading or stuff like that."
  Bowers grew up idolizing former Olympic gymnasts, Dominique Moceanu, Carly Patterson and Courtney Kupets, who is currently a Gym Dog.
  “I try to be in the gym for five or six hours every day,” Bowers said. “These girls do more than that; I wish I was as dedicated as them.”

[Aug 10] EXCLUSIVE! American gymnast, training in Romania
Atlanta, Georgia, US
...They (US) took your coaches, they took our former Champions; it's time now for Romanian gymnastics to take their gymnast! :-). If we manage to use their Champion-Winner-spirit gymnasts and train with our top coaching, that would be the Gold receipt of ancient Alchemists!
   A 6-years old gymnast- Olivia from Atlanta, Georgia, is moving with her family in Romania and will take gymnastics classes with top Romanian coaches. Her mother was so kind to answer our questions...

[Aug 9] St. Vincent- Official Health Care Provider For USA Gymnastics
Inside INdiana Business - Indianapolis,IN,USA
INDIANAPOLIS – Today, St.Vincent Sports Performance Center and USA Gymnastics announced a partnership that will enhance the quality of injury prevention and sports medicine support for USA Gymnastics’ national teams and establish the Indianapolis-based hospital as the official health care provider of the USA Gymnastics.

[Aug 9] The Apocalyptic Paroxysm of Numbers And Crazy Men
Men's News Daily - Guerneville,CA,USA
Ball players have their lucky bats. Nadia Comaneci had her teddy bears to bring her luck on the balance beams. Hillary had séances with Eleanor Roosevelt when they told her to go be quiet, and Nancy Reagan would hire astrologers to forecast her husband’s day. We can only wonder what President Bush does to feel lucky.

TV Alert: "Campioana" ("The Champion") at B1 TV
Romanian TV station B1 TV (available on web for a $9.95 fee, click here) will broadcast again the movie "Campioana" (The Champion"), on August 9, at 22,00.
   You may see Nadia Comaneci during late 80's (as referee), former Romanian gymnastics National Team coaches Tatiana Popa, Sergiu Popa and some "real" gymnasts of the late 80's-early 90's (Daniela Silivas, Eugenia Popa), filmed at Ploiesti (during International Championships) and Deva.

[August 8] Courier Mail - Australia: Aussies' Games dismay
  AUSTRALIAN Olympic president John Coates has confirmed morning finals in swimming and possibly artistic gymnastics will probably be rubber-stamped by the International Olympic Committee.
  Gymnastics, the men's basketball final and diving could also be affected by the dramatic schedule changes and may be switched from the evening to daytime at the Beijing Games. The IOC has been lobbied by American network NBC to make the changes so that big-ticket items can be televised live for prime-time evening programming in the US.

[August 8] The Countdown for Worlds Championships has begun
Deva, Romania                                              
Romanian gymnastics team have assisted today at the installing of the new gym equipment which just arrived. It's a new type (no more J&F), same type to be used at the Worlds Championships in Denmark.
    This event can mark the beginning of a countdown to Worlds Championships. Former team member Floarea Leonida has returned at team this week. "Despite the fact she was very criticized in the past for some of her bad moments, Floarea has jumped to help the team in a difficult moment. She didn't thought much about her personal chances for medals, she will compete for the team and this is great" -said main coach Nicolae Forminte
for romanian-gymnastics.com earlier today.

[August 6] Draft Report Shows Beijing 2008 Events In A.M.
  While it has not received final approval, a leaked draft report obtained by the Herald Sun that has been circulated to national Olympic committees and international broadcasters, confirms that the swimming finals and the artistic finals in gymnastics will be held in the morning. According to the schedule the swimming finals will be raced at 10 a.m. in Beijing and the artistic finals in gymnastics will be held in the late morning and not in its traditional evening time slot, reports the newspaper. A source said, “this is so unfair on Chinese fans and athletes and is simply satisfying American television audiences”.
  The newspaper says European broadcasters have threatened to sue the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if they rubber stamp the changes and Australian rights-holder Channel 7 said it will use a series of high-level talks in Beijing next week to convince the IOC to reconsider the schedule.

[August 5] Karolyi helps Cats flip
Bainbridge Post Searchlight - Bainbridge,GA,USA
   Karolyi and his wife, Marta, coached the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996 U.S. gymnastics teams. During those years, they coached some of the biggest names in gymnastics, including Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, Kim Zmeskal, Dominique Moceanu and Kerri Strug. Murkerson pointed out that at Karolyi’s camp, which is also the designated training center for the U.S.A. Gymnastics National Team, every camper is treated like a star.

[August 4] Cartwheeling to a record
Minnesota Public Radio - Saint Paul,MN,USA
  These gymnasts are here to set the record for the largest number of simultaneous cartwheels. There's no number to beat. It's never been done before.
  Almost a thousand people came to propel themselves into the Guinness Book of World Records. The event was a promotion for the Visa Gymnastic Championships coming up in St. Paul in a few weeks. That is where the national team members are picked.
  Sixteen-year-old Micah Elofson from Minneapolis is one of Minnesota's national hopefuls. He explains how to judge the good from the bad when it comes to cartwheels. "A good cartwheel would be straight arms, straight legs, making it around to your feet and making a good presentation at the end," he says. "A bad cartwheel would be bent arms, bent legs, and then not making it to your feet. Falling down, or something like that." But it was quantity, not quality that mattered most on the Capitol lawn in St. Paul. And the cartwheelers came from far and wide to participate.
Romanian Gymnastics World Records:
Youngest Female World Gymnastics Champion: Aurelia Dobre
Youngest Female Gymnastics Champ In One Event : Daniela Silivas

[August 4] World Record for simultaneous cartwheels: 932
SFCPressPoint (press release) - Tampa,FL,USA
  ST. PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn./ More than a thousand people were on hand at Minnesota’s State Capitol when 932 people set the world record for the most cartwheels performed at one time.
   Legendary gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi and members of the University of Minnesota gymnastics teams led the participants in setting the record, which is a prelude to the 2006 Visa Championships, Aug. 16-19 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., and an early start of the nationwide celebration of National Gymnastics Day on Aug. 5.
  Registered world record participants received an adidas sack pack full of goodies, including a free ride pass at the Mall of America and a ticket voucher to the opening night of the 2006 Visa Championships on Wednesday, Aug. 16, the first day of the senior men’s competition. The festivities also included autograph signing, human bowling, an interactive lacrosse activity with members of the Swarm and an appearance by T.C., the Minnesota Twins mascot.
Romanian Gymnastics World Records:
Youngest Female World Gymnastics Champion: Aurelia Dobre
Youngest Female Gymnastics Champ In One Event : Daniela Silivas

[August 4] Spinning for a record at the Capitol
KARE - Minneapolis,MN,USA
  In the shadow of the State Capitol, where legislators regularly engage in verbal gymnastics, hundreds came to do the "real thing" today. Setting a new world record for the most cartwheels ever performed at one time. 932 gymnasts from as far away Florida, came to the front lawn of the state capital to participate.
  Steve Penny, president of USA gymnastics said, "there's nothing like setting a world record to demonstrate the values of gymnastics and the positive things that the sport can do for young people."
   Karolyi also had a message for parent's. "It doesn't matter if you dream of becoming an Olympic champion or just like a healthy child, give them the opportunity and you will see the benefit. It will give your kids more discipline, personality and confidence."
 Video: W orld Gymnastics Record for most Cartwheels, click here
Romanian Gymnastics World Records:
Youngest Female World Gymnastics Champion: Aurelia Dobre
Youngest Female Gymnastics Champ In One Event : Daniela Silivas

[August 3] National Gymnastics Day Saturday at Flip Flop Shop
Newton Kansan - Newton,KS,USA
  The Flip Flop Shop Gymnastics Fun and Fitness Center, 205 W. Sixth, and Coach JoAnne Thaw will host a National Gymnastics Day clinic Saturday. 

[August 3] US Senate passes stem cells bill
Hua Hin Today - Hua Hin,Prachuab Kirikhan,Thailand
  AFTER two days of emotional debate, the US Senate voted to extend federal funds to embryonic stem cell research; but President George Bush has vowed to veto the measure as morally indefensible. The bill was passed by 63-37 votes, four short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override the presidential veto.
   President Bush left little doubt that he would veto the bill, his first in nearly six years as president, despite late appeals on its behalf from fellow Republicans Nancy Reagan and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Polls show as much as 70 per cent public support embryonic stem cell research.

[August 3] Gymnastics coach charged after police raid for porn
Toronto Town Crier Newspapers - Ontario, Canada
  A 33-year-old gymnastics coach who taught children at the East York Gymnastics Club for eight years has been charged with several counts after police raided his home for child pornography.
   Last month, the Edmonton Police contacted Toronto Police’s Child Exploitation Section informing them of a Toronto man who had advertised himself online saying he was a gymnastics coach, pedophile and was sexually attracted to children between six and 16.

[August 2] Atlanta Games resonate: Women ruled sports in '96
Cincinnati Post - OH,USA
  It was the Kerri Strug vault, landed with her left ankle sprained, so far beyond pain that she told coach Bela Karolyi, "I can't feel my leg." And he told her, "You can do it."
  So she did. Under the bright spotlight of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics...

[August 1] August Birthdays
 3:Dana Dumitru, coach Mariana Bitang
 8: Mariana Oboroceanu, Madalina Daniela GUTU
11:Augustina Badea
12:Iuliana Chindea
13:Nadia Hatagan
14:Marilena Neascu
16: Oana Zbenghea
18:Madalina Tanase
20: Catalina Ponor
23:Roxana Becheanu
24 Ana Maria Zaharia
26: Flavius Koczi
28: Corina Ungureanu, Gabriela DRAGOI

[July 30] EXCLUSIVE! Post card from Deva: Romanian Gymnastics Team
Earlier today, few different generations of Great Romanian Gymnastics Team have met at Deva Gymnastics School: Daniela Silivas, Lavinia Agache, Ecaterina Szabo, Gina Gogean Maria Olaru have met Sandra Izbasa, Steliana Nistor and all the members of the 2008 Olympics Romanian Gymnastics Team. Thanks to all for sending us this picture and make it available to their worldwide fans.

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