Podcasts Sports GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast 207: A History of Political Protests in Gymnastics

207: A History of Political Protests in Gymnastics

Published: July 27, 2016, 8:36 a.m.

IN THE NEWS

In the news, Uncle Tim, Dvora\xa0and Jessica chat about:

  • Russia has not been banned as a country, but the FIG must decide on individuals. (3:00)
    • Valentina has declared\xa0Ksenia Afanasyeva retired, might not be true but\xa0Afan is out.
    • Kuksenkov\xa0was cleared of all Meldonium doping charges earlier this year and is in Rio.
  • Marta Karolyi Press Conference (9:25)
    • We've decided Rhonda Faehn and Simone Biles/Aimee Boorman have started working Marta's mouth like a puppet because she held an open practice and even said the gymnasts must all be trained as individuals! Praise the gym gods!
  • Germany, Steingruber Win in Chemnitz\xa0(14:00)
    • Sophie Scheder scored a 15.25 on bars \xa0(better at\xa0German Nationals with 15.5 which ranked her 8th in the World)
    • Catalina Ponor scored a 14.700 on VT in Chemnitz. She outscored Larisa Iordache (FX, double Y turn immediate illusion turn!) on every event (except bars, which Ponor didn't do) \xa0
    • Ponor has a\xa0full twisting\xa0DLO
    • Ponor took on her haters on Instagram--straight up Gabby Douglas style. \xa0
  • Insane Skill Alerts (17:40)
  • A History of Political Protests in Gymnastics (27:45)
    • Are political protests allowed by the IOC and what are the rules about free speech for athletes?
    • Vera Caslavska (CZE) wasn't punished for her protest against the Soviets by the IOC but Americans\xa0Tommie Smith and John Carlos were expelled from the Games.
    • 1991 World Championships, Kuwait's thank you t-shirts.\xa0
    • Statements by gymnasts that could have been taken as protest speech.
    • Politically charged uniforms: Korea vs. Japan's rising sun throwback flag leotards.
  • Black Lives Matter (56:30)
    • Should the US gymnastics team be prepared to answer questions about Black Lives Matter?
  • Rio Olympic Athlete Village update. (1:02:00)
  • Dvora's experience interviewing\xa0Oksana Chusovitina\xa0and Svetlana Boginskaya\xa0for\xa0Elle magazine.
  • Khorkina \u201cBiles will always be second.\u201d
  • Maggie Nichols continues to be a shining light of joy.

INTERVIEW\xa0 Because the end of the quad is a time for competitive retirements and new artistic beginnings, we have a little glimpse into a gym nerd dream job with the casting director of Le R\xeave,\xa0Louanne Madorma. (1:17:19)

  • They have self-taught, level 8 and Olympians all in the show, there are knitting circles and dance contests, but unfortunately it's\xa0nothing like the movie DreamGirls.
  • Louanne\xa0was in the roller-skating sensation, Starlight Express, and has hilarious blooper stories.
  • The Wynn hotel, where Le Reve lives, pays for college at nearby UNLV!
  • Contact Louanne Madorma\xa0at Le R\xeave casting\xa0here.
  • Listen to Jessica's review of\xa0Le R\xeave\xa0in episode 41\xa0here.

CONTEST Win: \xa0The End of the Perfect 10:\xa0The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics\u2019 Top Score \u2013 from Nadia to Now\xa0by Dvora Meyers What: Write a new rule for the next quad How: #Endofthe10Book @GymCastic on Instagram or Twitter\xa0 Deadline: Sunday, July 31st at midnight. \xa0

SUPPORT THE SHOW

  • Join Club Gym Nerd\xa0here.
  • Buy one of our awesome apparel, notebooks, wall art, mugs, or cases \xa0here.
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