Liukin named to U.S. Women’s Team for 2006 American Cup
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– 2005 world uneven bars and balance beam champion Nastia Liukin of Plano, Texas, has accepted an invitation to represent the United States in the 2006 American Cup, March 4, at Global Spectrum's Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia. Nine other women are attending the selection camp, Feb. 22-25, at the USA Gymnastics’ National Team Training Center in Huntsville, Texas, from which three will be invited to compete.In addition to the United States, the American Cup field is expected to feature gymnasts from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Romania and Russia. Participating athletes will be announced closer to the event.

[Jan 30] One million euros from Romania to Europe's children
The charity event "Romania for Europe's Children" managed to raise over one million euros from the dinner on Wednesday evening and the teledon on Thursday. The charity event was organized by the High Level Group led by Baroness Emma Nicholson and had as its main guest author J.K. Rowling who visited Romania over two days. Several important sports figures also became involved, such as Nadia Comaneci, Ilie Nastase, Laura Badea, Andreea Raducan, Leonard Doroftei and Violeta Beclea. The dinner raised 886.500 euros, 10000 from each of the 34 tables, 171,000 euros from an auction as well as other donations, according to the organizers.

[Jan 28] "The Secrets of a Gymnast" - the English edition- on Sale!
"The Secrets of a Gymnast" (the English edition) by Andrei Nourescu, is on sale now at CafePress (click to see). "The secrets of a Gymnast" (the Romanian language edition) was voted "The Book of The Year" by the Romanian Sport Press Association (2003).
...The coaches hardly tolerated any mistake, they had become irascible and agitated and they were punishing even the girls’ smallest mistakes. The only problem was that they couldn’t behave as they did at home, because all the trainings in Atlanta were open to the public and most of the time the gym was full. Thus they found an alternative solution for the usual slapping from Deva. “They would come close to us when we failed some element and put their hand on our shoulder like a father. Only that the hand would grab us by the muscle and tighten us very hard, that we almost burst into tears...

Romantically Romania
By Arlina T. Onglao
Romania reminded me at first of the land of Dracula and the land where gypsies all over Europe who pry on other people’s belongings as a trade come from.Romania boasts not only of its beautiful scenery, monasteries, and castles but its famous people too, the likes of Johnny Weissmuler of the Tarzan fame, world renowned gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and film and theater actress Gina Patrichi.

[Jan 28] Integration of refugees : Malta can do more – UNHCR
Although Malta has a large population density and is a small country, it can still do a lot more to facilitate the integration of refugees in society, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Jurgen Humburg said on Wednesday. UNHCR’s PR officer, Laura Boldrini, said that the organisation had 6,500 staff employed worldwide to help asylum seekers. She also gave details of a campaign being organised by the UNHCR that will feature in newspapers and on TV entitled “Flowers”. Personalities such as Nadia Comaneci, Albert Einstein and Sir Georg Solti (who were all refugees) are featured in the project.

[Jan 27] Gymnastics coach pleads not guilty
The East Rochester gymnastics coach accused of having sex with one of his 13-year-old students is going to stay in jail. 39-year-old Marian Penev pleaded not guilty in Federal Court Friday. He is accused of rape and sexual abuse against the girl. He is also facing a federal charge that says he used the internet to entice her. The U.S. Attorney said the accusations against Penev were quote "chilling" and a parent's worst nightmare.

[Jan 27] J K Rowling promotes children's rights in Romania
BUCHAREST: Harry Potter creator J K Rowling has thrown her weight behind efforts to help abandoned children in eastern Europe during a two-day visit to Romania, where childcare was crippled by communism."I have been inspired by everything I have seen during this very brief visit," the multi-millionaire author said today during a fundraising event in Bucharest.Romania's two most famous sports stars, gymnast Nadia Comaneci and tennis player Ilie Nastase, together bought a Harry Potter book signed by Rowling during the fundraising event for 2500 euros ($NZ4500).

[Jan 27] Comaneci says Romanians taught American gymnastics
Former gymnast Nadia Comaneci said yesterday that Romanians sold the Americans the "magic pill" revealing the secret in Gymnastics; training for several hours. "Everybody was wondering why Romania is better than all the rest. We sold the magic pill when we told the Americans that it's a lot of work, namely seven hours of training a day. They were only training for three hours a day and when they started to train for seven hours they became very good," Comaneci said, adding that when she was competing only three countries were represented in competitions while now the number has grown to 15. She also said that the idea of setting up a sports academy in Romania is extraordinary as long as it does not enter a conflict with the Gymnastics Federation or creates something that could be damaging for sports.

[Jan 27] Harry Potter author speaks about child welfare in Eastern Europe
Rowling was in Bucharest for two days this week, meeting some of the country's institutionalized children. She was guest of honor at a celebrity gala held at Ceausescu's former palace which raised more than €170,000 (US$209,000) for the foundation.

Rowling, who shuns the trappings of celebrity and has three children aged 1, 3 and 12, said fame has one great advantage: "You can parlay that kind of interest in you personally into awareness of issues you'd like to raise," she said.


Photo Gallery: J.K Rowling meeting with Romanian President Basescu
Photo: J.K Rowling attending a Romanian Governement meeting dedicated to children (click)
Photo Gallery : J.K Rowling attending a Romanian Gov. meeting
Photo Gallery(1): J.K Rowling and Romanian Prime Minister (click here)

[Jan 25] Belu and Bitang present first projects as presidential counselors
Former gymnastics coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang have presented on Monday their first projects as President's counselors on sports issues. One of them is creating a "council of the wise" formed of experienced sports figures and also a project meant to involve institutionalized and homeless children in sports activities. The council should be formed of 10-12 members, in Belu's and Bitang's visions; up to now, Alexandru Lazarescu, member of the Romanian Olympic Committee and CS Dinamo member Alexandru Mogos have accepted to get involved in the project. The former coaches said that they will also talk to other sports legends like athletes Iolanda Balaci and Gabi Szabo, gymnast Marius Urzica, rower Ivan Patzaichin and sabre champion Mihai Covaliu.
Related stories:
Romanian media comments over Belu & Bitang press conference
# "Mariana Bitang have admitted of not receiving any concrete offer from the Chinese Federation" -"Cotidianul"

# "Nothing concrete for the sport, only public relations services for the President"- Romania Libera

# "Indirectly, the two coaches have admitted that "The Chinese Offer" never really existed-in the way that they would been offered the leading positions at the Chinese team."- Atac

# "Belu and Bitang started to mime working; [...]once more, the two coaches didn't come with any concrete for sustaining the Romanian sport.They just thought about having on their side as many public figures as possible, to avoid future critics when people will see they have accepted a job where, more often than not, much of the time is devoted to...slepping in the offices, rather than doing something." -Gardianul
Related story: Belu & Bitang doesn't have any job offer in China
"Cotidianul": O minciuna la Cotroceni mai mare decit China
"Ziua": Consilieri prezidentiali din gluma

Former gymnastics coach who molested students gets another 3 years
WHEATON, Ill. A former gymnastics coach who is serving a 20-year prison term for molesting several young girls received an additional three-year sentence today for harassing a witness in the case. The DuPage County state's attorney's office says Michael Cardamone was ordered to serve the three-year bid after he completes the other sentence.Cardamone was convicted earlier this month of witness harassment and disorderly conduct for making a false police report in 2004 alleging traffic violations by a witness in his molestation case.

[Jan 24] /AP/ J.K. Rowling to visit Romania tomorrow
Best-selling author J.K. Rowling is to visit Romania this week to take part in a fundraising gala to help children in need in Romania and across Europe, organizers said Monday. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, recently became a trustee of the newly established charitable foundation The Children's High Level Group, which raises funds to support children in need, focusing on child health and development in Romania and across Europe. She will be in Romania Jan. 25-26, where she will be the guest of honor at a gala at the former palace built by late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Romanian star gymnast Nadia Comaneci and former tennis star Ilie Nastase will be among the guests, a press statement said.

[Jan 23] Positive Coaching Alliance: National Youth Sports Awards Finalists
STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From a field of 4 million youth sports coaches nationwide, just 20 are finalists for honors at Positive Coaching Alliance's Fifth Annual National Youth Sports Awards dinner at Stanford University on Friday, March 24. Five of those 20 will receive expenses-paid trips to the event, where they will receive PCA's coveted Double-Goal Coach(TM) Award for their positive impact on youth athletes. Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a Stanford University-based non-profit dedicated to transforming youth sports so sports can transform youth. Since 1998, PCA has conducted thousands of workshops nationwide for youth sports leaders, parents, coaches and athletes in an effort to ensure a youth sports culture that delivers a positive, character-building experience. Espousing Double-Goal Coach techniques -- where the first goal is winning and the second, more important goal is teaching life lessons through sports -- PCA has garnered support from National Advisory Board members Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Doc Rivers, Dean Smith, Herm Edwards, Bill Walsh, Barry Zito, Alexi Lalas, Joy Fawcett, Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci and other noted athletes, coaches, and academic and business leaders.

[Jan 22] Romania: Promoting Romania’s Image in the EU
...unionized Europeans don’t seem to know very much about Romania. In fact, their entire perception of this large and diverse nation seems to fall into very specific categories. For most Europeans, Romania’s only claims to fame are Ceausescu, Hagi, Nadia Comaneci, illegal immigration, gypsy beggars and, of course, Count Dracula. However, Romania of course has a lot more to offer in terms of culture, history, economic products and tourism destinations. And it has a very smart and well-educated young workforce in areas like foreign languages and computer science.

[Jan 21] Romanian gymnastics officials denies China *jobs* for B&B
During a interview for TVR1, former RGF President Nicolae Vieru said that there was no job offer in China for former coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang. Nicolae Vieru, which is also a FIG official, said that the Chinese Gymnastics Federation would not offer a job to the famous Romanian coaches without the knowledge of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (RGF).
"The whole discussion was about lecturing in China, not about any coaching position. During the World Championships last year, I spoke with Chinese officials and they told me they didn't make any job offer", said Nicolae Vieru.
TVR 1 video with Nicolae Vieru interview , click here (and go to 1h02min).
Mariana Bitang, named (along with Octavian Belu) as Presidential counselors earlier this week, said for same TVR1 that: "The discussions with Chinese officials were over the phone and it was supposed to go there after their New Year (Jan 29). It's a little bit strange how others know the details."
Mariana Bitang already prove it's a...politician, because her words doesn't fit well previous past weeks statements for the Romanian press and TV:"We didn't have had any direct contact with Chinese officials; all discussions about the job offer were through a third person.".
It's a common mistake of many local politicians: to lie and forget (or hoping people have forgot) their previous statements. No, we didn't. To be a good politician these days, at least lying convincingly it's a must. Try harder next time. At least this you can do for $1000 a month (more than 50% of Romanians have to live -or, better say, survive- with a $125 income, according to statistics). TVR 1 video with Nicolae Vieru interview , click here (and go to 1h02min); available one week only.
Related story: Belu & Bitang doesn't have any job offer in China
"Cotidianul": O minciuna la Cotroceni mai mare decit China
"Ziua": Consilieri prezidentiali din gluma

[Jan 21] Nadia Comaneci will attend Bucharest charity Gala
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, will take part in a charity benefit in Bucharest next week to help “the underprivileged children of Romania and Europe,” event organizers said yesterday. Rowling will attend a fundraising dinner next Wednesday with celebrities, including Romanian gymnastics champion Nadia Comaneci. (AFP)

[Jan 21] Gymnastics instructor faces more sex charges
ROCHESTER, N.Y. More sex charges are lodged against a Rochester gymnastics coach who was accused last month of raping a 13-year-old girl. Federal prosecutors say the charges against 39-year-old Marian Asenov Penev accuse him of using his computer to entice a 13-year-old girl into sexual acts. Assistant U-S Attorney Richard Resnick said the charges against Penev are related to pending charges of sexual abuse, but would not say if they involved the same victim. Resnick said that in regards to the computer sex charges, the girl's parents became suspicious of her activities and installed spyware software on their home computer. Some 20 instant messages, some described as extremely sexual in nature, were received in December.

[Jan 20] Dominique Moceanu Gymnastics Invitational
Where: Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, 6380 Mill Road, Broadview Heights. Call: 440- 740-4770. When: Friday, competition begins at 6 p.m. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for students.
Competition among private club gymnasts in levels 4 through 10 will take place Saturday and Sunday. Moceanu will perform an exhibition floor routine Saturday at 3 p.m. and a vault Sunday at noon. Photo and autograph opportunities will be available throughout the weekend.
Award presentation: Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu, 24, who at 14 was a member of the 1996 United States Atlanta summer Olympic Games when the "Magnificent 7" became the first U.S. women's gymnastics team to win gold, will present awards following the competition.

[Jan 20] Gymnastics instructor facing federal charges
A local gymnastics coach is facing more criminal charges. Marian Penev was arraigned in federal court on Thursday. The 39-year-old is charged with using the Internet to solicit sex from a 13-year-old girl. The alleged victim was a student at Penev’s gymnastics studio, “Penev’s Gymnastics”, for seven years. Penev also faces charges of second-degree rape, sexual abuse and a criminal sexual act. If convicted, Penev faces up to 20 years in prison.
see the video Report of News 10 NBC, click here

Romanian gymnastics fans comments over the new B&B jobs
It's funny how all their "offers" from China have suddenly dried up. (Aevera)

COOL!!!! Now they can advise how to starve the athletes, beat them, substitute one qualifier from another, call the athletes names, and have affairs among the coaches!! Now ALL Romanian sports can do what gymnastics did! YAY!!!! (chocdave)

Damn, the Romanian government must be really scraping the bottom of the barrell if they need to bring in the TerrorTwatsies to advise them on sports. The only thing I would let them advise me on is on how to throw up the TEARS I ate for dinner. (tigger21)

I'd definatly agree this is insane, but I personally think they are being put in that position to keep them away from the Romanian team.... (DocMarten) Yes

Um, are they trying to recreate the Ceausescu days in Romania or something? (CRAZY).

[Jan 19] Reuters: New Romania coach hopes to revive old glories
BUCHAREST: Nicolae Forminte has set his sights on reviving the former glories of Romanian gymnastics after a torrid year in which the national women's team disbanded and its long-time coaches resigned. Forminte was appointed last month to lead a team which is now a shadow of the side that brought home four gold medals from the 2004 Olympics in Athens, including the women's team title. He has none of the former leading lights and many of his charges are battling weight and health problems.
''I have 22 young girls in a new Romanian Olympic team, aiming at the Beijing Olympic Games,'' he told reporters. Only three of them, Sandra Izbasa, Steliana Nistor and Andreea Muntean, would be ready to compete at the European team championships in Volos, Greece, in April, he added.

[Thursday, January 19, 2006] Belu and Bitang to be presidential advisors
Gymnastics coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang yesterday accepted the offer made by president Traian Basescu to become presidential advisors on sports related issues. "We have no clear information about what we are supposed to do but as far as I am concerned, it will be only issues related to sports, general problems that sports are facing and monitoring sports events that have great importance for Romania," Belu said adding he hopes their work will be important for the president. Belu also said that he does not consider his activity as a presidential advisor as a sort of good-bye to gymnastics.
Related story: Belu & Bitang doesn't have any job offer in China
"Cotidianul": O minciuna la Cotroceni mai mare decit China
"Ziua": Consilieri prezidentiali din gluma

Anything To Win
The fierce competitive edge, the heart of a champion, and the blinding determination to win is what encapsulates the newest original documentary series, “Anything To Win”. The series not only includes athletes in all genres of sports and competitions, but also the drive of non-sports individuals, such as the late and famed Johnnie Cochran and John DeLorean. Upcoming episodes include the bizarre, ice-skating turmoil that plagued the 1994 Olympics. Tonya Harding and her unfortunate fall from grace, gets more undeserved publicity as her “alleged” role in the plot to destroy the competition, namely Nancy Kerrigan, to increase her chances of winning is told in this stranger than fiction tale. Interviewing team members Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strug, as well as legend Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner, this episode spotlights the triumph and sacrifice of winners.
“Anything To Win” airs Tuesdays at 9 pm (et) on the GSN.

 Romania's 2005 top athletes awarded at Sports Gala
Gymnast Marian Dragulescu and sabre fencing world champion Mihai Covaliu were declared Romania's top male athletes in 2005, at the Sports Gala organized by the National Sports Agency and the Romanian Olympic Sports Committee on Sunday. Member of the C.S. Dinamo Bucharest gymnastics team, Dragulescu obtained two gold medals last year; one in vault at the Melbourne World Championship and another in floor at the Europeans in Debrezen. Gymnasts Catalina Ponor, Alin Jivan and Ioan Suciu were among the 12 athletes awarded for their individual performances.

Writer J.K. Rowling confirms trip to Romania
Baroness Emma Nicholson confirmed on Friday that British writer J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, will visit Romania for a charity dinner and a teledon to help European orphans. The charity action "Romania for Europe's Children" will include a dinner organized on January 25 with the participation of important personalities in various fields and a fundraising teledon which will be broadcast the next day by Romanian public television.
Among others who will be present at the dinner are former athletes Nadia Comaneci, Ilie Nastase and Gheorghe Hagi.

Former Gymnastics Coach Convicted Of Harassing Witness
Sex Offender Found Guilty Of More Charges
(AP) WHEATON, Ill. A 28-year-old gymnastics coach has been found guilty of harassing a witness before he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for molesting several girls at his family's gym. Authorities say Michael Cardamone was convicted of witness harassment and disorderly conduct for making a false police report of traffic violations by a witness involved in Cardamone's molestation case.

"Stick It"-trailers and photos to see
"Stick It", the gymnastics inspired movie to be released this Spring (in USA) has now some trailers, videos and photos available. Release: 2006 ( USA ) Director: Jessica Bendinger Starring: Jeff Bridges, Vanessa Lengies, Missy Peregrym, Jon Gries. Click here to see it.

Vehicle keeps children hopping
Tumblebus, a mobile gymnastics center, is a fun way for kids to learn fitness
Ringlespaugh owns and operates Indy Tumblebus, a traveling gymnastics facility housed in a former school bus. Mostly, she stops at day-care facilities, and she also has been known to show up at birthday parties.
"It seems like every generation has some sort of gymnastics role model kids want to be like. I had Nadia Comaneci, and then kids had Mary Lou Retton. Everyone has someone, so I figured there was a need."

[Jan 13] Monica Rosu has retired, missing Worlds; exclusive interview
Monica Rosu has retired and announced herself this sad moment, during an interview for Antena 1 TV aired this afternoon. Monica Rosu (blonde, long hair) said that she was disappointed for not having a chance to compete at Worlds. Her plans are to focus on school and will go to University; she still want to be around the gymnastics world.

Conner cleans rust off his skates to challenge for Olympic berth
Forty-nine-year-old Kildeer resident Bruce Conner tried out for the U.S. speedskating team last month, 30 years after just missing a trip to the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. United Airlines captain Bruce Conner has viewed plenty of mountain tops. Last month, the 49-year-old Kildeer resident reached out and grabbed one. Conner, competing against world-class athletes half his age, fulfilled the loftiest of personal goals last month by qualifying for the U.S. Speedskating Championships, culminating a nearly masochistic nine-month training regimen to become one of the nation's 25 fastest long-track skaters. "It's just an unbelievable, amazing accomplishment," said close friend Carl Alguire of Barrington. "All of a sudden, he's done all this, including being the fastest skater in his (45-49) age group. And you'd never know it. Bruce is just a regular guy, an incredibly humble person." The older brother of former Olympic gymnast Bart, Conner finished 25th of 29 in the 1000-meter race with a personal-best 1:15.78 at the national finals Dec. 28 in Salt Lake City.

HILTON SKATING AND GYMNASTICS SPECTACULAR
SUNDAY, 4 P.M., ET: NBC Sports presents the Hilton Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular, this Sunday at 4 p.m., ET from the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. The show features both the world's top gymnastics and figure skating stars.
Gymnasts include Athens gold medalists Carly Patterson and Paul Hamm, two-time Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu and U.S. Olympic team members Mohini Bhardwaj, Morgan Hamm and Jason Gatson. International gymnasts performing include two-time World All-Around Champion Ivan Ivankov and Olympic silver medalist Jordan Jovtchev. NBC's Rosalynn Sumners, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci will provide commentary.

[Jan 13] Romanian Olympic gymnastics teams objectives in 2006
The President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (FRG), Adrian Stoica, presented in a meeting of the board's Executive Committee yesterday the objectives for the men's and women's Olympic teams in 2006. "In past years our objectives were similar," said Stoica, explaining he doesn't consider these expectations to be modest. "The more medals the team won, the better it was. Things are the same this year too," the FRG President said. The European Gymnastics Championship will take place in Volos, Greece in April for women, and the men's team will wait until May to compete. The Worlds will take place in Aarhus, Denmark.

Hilton Family Flips for Skating & Gymnastics
Hilton Family Announces Title Sponsorship of Exhibition and First-Ever High-Definition Broadcast of Skating and Gymnastics
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hilton Family of Hotels proudly presented a night of excellence as the title sponsor of the Hilton Family Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular which is scheduled to air on NBC on Jan. 22, 2006. In collaboration with NBC Universal, this milestone presentation of some of the world's top athletes in skating and gymnastics will mark the first-ever high-definition broadcast of a skating or gymnastics event. Taped at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga., the event was awe inspiring as some of the world's most renowned athletes in gymnastics and skating, including Carly Patterson (gymnastics), Paul Hamm (gymnastics), Brian Boitano (figure skating) and Elvis Stojko (figure skating), wowed audiences with triple jumps and back handsprings.

Fluid as the flame
Yana Guberman struggles with the laws of physics to balance 50 candles on her body and leaves ANAND SANKAR stunned and wondering if the Ukranian circus artiste has any bones in her body
"She is the woman with no bones!" the voice on the microphone booms as Yana Guberman steps in to perform her act at the Gemini Circus, which has pitched tent at Palace Grounds. In addition to the usual flying trapeze and the cycle-riding poodles, this time around, the circus is offering something quite exotic — circus acts from Russia and Eastern Europe. Yana is part of a contingent from that distant world.

[Jan 12] Belu considers multi-national job offers
Gymnastics coach Octavian Belu declared yesterday that the Romanian Olympic Sports Committee (COSR) might propose a project coordinating the activities of a gymnastics academy similar to the one run by Nadia Comaneci and her husband Bart Conner in the USA, in order to keep him from leaving Romania.

[Jan 12] Ponor taken into consideration for 2006 competition
The president of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, Adrian Stoica, said yesterday that the competition strategy for 2006 includes triple Olympic medalist Catalina Ponor and that the federation and the gymnast will hold talks to establish her training schedule. The gymnast had said a few days ago that she intended to continue her competition activity but that she wanted to train in Bucharest with her current coach, Matei Stanei.

[Nov 26, 2005] Belu & Bitang dosen't have any job offer in China
According to an article on sina.com, Gao Jian, head of the Chinese gym federation, has denied making an offer to Belu and Bitang. Apparently, B & B have been invited to Beijing for a series of lectures in early 2006, but nothing beyond that. Gao Jian doesn't know how the international media got the idea that the Chinese Federation planned to hire B & B as coaches or technical advisors.

Alexandra Marinescu "The secrets of the gymnast" - on sale worldwide
Hello!
I want to know where I can find the book "Alexandra Marinescu's secrets" or something.
Also, if you read it, what is your opinion on it?
Katy, USA

The book "The secrets of the gymnast" by Andrei Nourescu, is (now) available online to worldwide gymnastics fans, at Romania's largest library, www.dol.ro (the online shop for famous Romanian Diverta library, which owns all the Romanian Malls libraries). Excerpts from the book "The secrets of the gymnast" were published online, click here to read. 


The challenges and teaches of gymnastics
"(Gymnastics) It challenges you in every way, physically and mentally," she said. "It teaches you to know what your limitations are and try go up and beyond and see how far you can push them."
Pomerleau was asked what captivated her about a sport that looks like an endeavor where you're constantly risking such an injury. "It's the thrill of being out there in front of everybody and showing hat you can do," she said. "I've loved it for so many years ... The most fun things are, well, the tsukahara (vault) if you can do it, and on floor just all the jumping around, and on the balance beam my back flips, I'll really miss those, and my giant swings on the parallel bars."

International Gymnastics Federation: New fair play rules boosts confidence
On Nov 26 in Melbourne, the FIG Executive Commission, comprising president, Bruno Grandi, three vice-presidents, Dr Michel Leglise, Koji Takizawa and Slava Corn and secretary-general, Andre Gueisbuhler met during the 38th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships to discuss the matter.
The commission approved the Code of Points for artistic gymnastics, while emphasising that the criteria for global standards will undergo fine-tuning in 2006. There will be two juries – jury A and B – who will award values for each routine. A gymnast starts with zero. He or she will perform successive elements . The element’s score stands at A (0.1), B (0.2), C (0.3), D (0.4), E (0.6), F (0.8) and G (1.0). Meanwhile, jury B, made up of two or four judges, will evaluate the routine according to its technical and artistic aspects, execution, composition and aesthetics. The judges will start from a 10 point score, from which they will deduct penalties. At the end, both scores will be added for the total.

[Jan 09] City finds few takers for gymnastics
Lucknow, January 8: NOT many in the city want to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics. In fact, not many want to get into the sport at all, despite year-long training facilities being available at the K D Singh ‘‘Babu’’ Stadium here. The training fee is only Rs 50 per month, and yet coach Richa Singh cannot find many takers. In fact, there are only 25 students enrolled for the classes at present. A few months back, there were only 15...

Olympics should be reserved for the rising stars
"What makes the Olympics truly special are the stories behind the young "amateur" athletes -- the ones who are practically unknown to the general public before the Games and end up becoming household names. Think of gymnast Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Montreal Games."

[Jan 09] Gymnast Ponor considers circus career
Gymnast Catalina Ponor said in an interview for Mediafax news agency that she would be tempted to be part of the "Cirque du Soleil" circus group, as she received a proposal in this respect while she was participating in last year's European Gymnastics Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. "I do not dislike the idea. On the contrary, I am quite tempted by the idea and do not exclude this option. I also saw some tape recordings of them and I think the whole thing is very beautiful. And there is also a lot of money that can come out of this," Ponor said.

[Jan 08] Oana Ban at sky, exclusive interview and photos
r-g.com: Hello, Oana , how are you?
Oana Ban: Very well, thanks. Just returned home from sky.
r-g.com: Did you went every day? How come you like going to sky?
Oana Ban: They teach us at University (sport University). I go almost every day, when the weather is good.
r-g.com: Where do you go for sky?
Oana Ban: At Baisoara, a small mountain resort 40 miles (60km) nearby Cluj.
r-g.com: The weather and roads were pretty bad these days, how you manage to drive?
Oana Ban : I already have a small experience on driving, made like 9,000 miles (11000km) and haven't any problem. Beside, when the road is covered with ice, I don't go. (read more...

[Jan 04] Concerned Parents Fill Gymnastics Center
East Rochester, NY)- Hundreds of parents whose children attend Penev's Gymnastics Center in East Rochester are facing a difficult decision: Whether or not to let their kids still practice there. Police recently arrested two coaches who work there for sexual abuse related charges involving young students Last week, police charged Marian Penev, who owns the center, with raping a 13-year-old student. In November, former coach Todd Beaney was charged with sexually abusing another teenaged student.

Former gymnast looking for gym videos
Hello guys!
I was just wondering if you can help me to find any video-tapes with me from some competitions! Let me know! Thank you!
Lenuta Rus
[If you have videos with this gymnast, you may use our Contact  page]

[Jan 03] Romanian gymnastics new stars: Munteanu, Nistor, Izbasa
Romanian TVR1 aired the first interviews of the new (official) Romanian gymnastics team and her "Stars": Steliana Nistor ,  Sandra Izbasa and  Andreea Munteanu . The team went to Hunedoara city (15 miles/ 20km from Deva), to have their first training session for 2006, at the local swimming pool.
Andreea Munteanu : "Let's hope we catch the Euros with the team and we win; same for next Worlds".
Sandra Izbasa : "I want to become an European Champion at AA and FX; same for Worlds."
Steliana Nistor : "If we want to achieve something, we have to work and push ourselves to the limits."
coach Nicolae Forminte :"We have a new gymnastics team and also a new staff, too. We have to face the situation and get results.The team has priority; from the team members the new specialists for AA and apparatus have to step behind the team."
TVR1 video (go to 1h 03min; available one week)

Catalina Ponor- thoughts for 2006
For one week only, you may see the recorded TVR1 broadcast with Catalina Ponor interview for TVR1 (it looks more like a diashow, but still useful); here is the direct link: Catalina Ponor interview  and go to minute 56; following Catalina's story, another report with men's team.

[Jan 02] Parents meet about charged gymnastics instructor
The empty parking lot at Penev's Gymnastics School in East Rochester filled up quickly Monday with spill-over traffic lining the street. Concerned parents poured in to ask about rape charges against the gym's onwer.
39-year-old Marian Penev is accused of abusing a 13-year-old girl at the gym. "Shocked and surprised," were the words that came to Bryn Nakamura. Her 6-year-old is one of more than 600 students at Penev's, but whether they remain enrolled is up for debate.

A healthy new you
IT'S Madonna's latest fitness fad and the biggest fitness craze to hit America and Europe. And now it's arrived in East Boldon. For people who are tired of the same old fitness regime and not seeing results, this could be just the thing to kickstart your New Year. Gyrotonic is currently being hailed as yoga for the 21st century. It's a mixture of yoga, Tai Chi, gymnastics, swimming and dance. Invented by Juliu Horvath, 63, a Romanian ballet dancer, gymnast, swimmer and yogi, he developed his own system of exercise which completely healed his body after being injured as a dancer.
Before you even begin to exercise you literally "wake up" your body, starting with sitting on a stool, as you work your way from your head to your toes, pulling your eyelids, squashing your ears, massaging your neck and stomach, beating your legs and bottom and stretching your toes amongst other things. Sounds crazy? You would be surprised. You feel energised and rejuvenated afterwards and then the real work starts. There are exercises to tone and stretch every part of the body to try and bring the body into balance and correct alignment. A typical beginners' class lasts for one hour. The workout benefits a variety of people; especially sufferers of arthritis, neck stiffness and overall joint problems. Just 20 minutes a day can eliminate permanent stiffness and stress-induced back problems we often experience in our daily lives. It is fast gaining credibility in the UK, thanks to the likes of Madonna, Teri Hatcher and a variety of A-list celebrities practising the method.  

[Jan 02] Catalina Ponor (still) think about 2006 Worlds
In a TVR1 (State TV) interview aired tonight, Catalina Ponor said she (still) want to go for 2006 Worlds (a revenge for 2005?) and will try hard for this. The Euros are not a goal for her, Catalina said. If you look on the recorded broadcast (www.tvr.ro -go to minute 56, this direct link is available for one week only!), you may see Catalina presenting her little (black) cat "Miti"and her (very colorful) parrot "Coco". Somebody, please learn him to say "Go, Cata!"

[Jan 01] Meeting For Parents At Penev's Gymnastics
(East Rochester, NY) 01/01/06 -- Parents with children enrolled at Penev's Gymnastics will have a chance to learn more about two investigations of staff at the center. The center will hold an informational meeting for parents of students at the center in East Rochester on Monday at noon. Penev's Gymnastics is known for having some of the best young female gymnasts in the country. Police said that, on Friday, gym owner Marian Penev was charged with raping a 13-year-old student. In November, a former coach at the center, Todd Beaney was charged with sexually abusing another 13-year-old student.

January Birthdays:
6:Ioana Ojog, Raluca Vinatoru
10:Georgeta Gabor
11:Oana Ban
13:Florica Leonida
22:Ecaterina Szabo
24:Angela Ghimpu

How coaches should speak about the gymnasts?
“I have a lot of respect for those kids who walk through those doors every day.” -coach Milan Malder ("Season of change for Lakeville gymnastics")
compare with:  Belu's (stupid) remark on girls, hard criticized by gym fans

Romanian Gymnastics News Archive.

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