The 1952 Soviet Team and Anti-Semitism
To give context to the significance of the 1952 Soviet WAG team having two Jewish gymnasts, I discuss the history of anti-Semitism in the USSR in 1952. Continue reading The 1952 Soviet Team and Anti-Semitism
Author: Mike Davis
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1960s
Who was the best gymnast of the 1960s? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1960s
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1970s
Who was the best gymnast of the 1970s? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1970s
You Can’t Google Romania Without Getting Nadia Comaneci
For Romania, Nadia was more than just a gymnast. Continue reading You Can’t Google Romania Without Getting Nadia Comaneci
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1980s
Who was the best gymnast of the 1980s? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1980s
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1990s
Who was the best gymnast of the 1990s? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1990s
The Russian Gymnasts Who Broke Our Hearts
The Russian gymnasts who should have won more medals. Continue reading The Russian Gymnasts Who Broke Our Hearts
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 2000s
Who was the best gymnast of the 2000s? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 2000s
Thoughts on the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the Decade (2010s)
After ranking gymnasts based on the number of medals won, I give some thoughts on the results. Continue reading Thoughts on the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the Decade (2010s)
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the Decade (2010s)
Who was the best gymnast of the last 10 years? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the Decade (2010s)
Non-Olympians Who Should Have Gone to Multiple Olympics
The fascinating trend of great non-Olympians who came close to being 2x Olympians. Continue reading Non-Olympians Who Should Have Gone to Multiple Olympics
The History of Olympians Competing Under the Olympic Flag
Unified Team, Olympic Athlete From Russia, Refugee Olympic Team, and more. I recap the history of Olympians comping under the Olympic flag. Continue reading The History of Olympians Competing Under the Olympic Flag
USAG: The Consequences of a Cover-Up
USAG’s conduct during the Nassar scandal caused more pain than was necessary. Continue reading USAG: The Consequences of a Cover-Up
The 2019 World Championships Curse
In early 2019 there were nine active gymnasts with AA medals. Only one of them made it all the way to the end of the 2019 World Championships. Continue reading The 2019 World Championships Curse
Elena Mukhina’s Trip to America
In the wake of her 1978 AA title, Elena Mukhina went on a world tour. Among her stops were 10 American cities. Continue reading Elena Mukhina’s Trip to America
The Disputed Olympic Medals in American Gymnastics
How an Austrian gymnast and a triathlon made USA the most decorated MAG program up until the 1968 Olympics. Continue reading The Disputed Olympic Medals in American Gymnastics
USA Gymnastics: Why the Men Have More Olympic Medals Than the Women
It may come as a shock, but in the USA program MAG has more Olympic medals than WAG. Continue reading USA Gymnastics: Why the Men Have More Olympic Medals Than the Women
Dispelling the Myth: Jade Carey and Her NCAA Eligibility
Disproving the myth that Jade Carey will lose 1-year of NCAA if she takes the year off to train for the Olympics Continue reading Dispelling the Myth: Jade Carey and Her NCAA Eligibility
Gymnastics Bios #2: Carla Marangoni
The story of the 12-year old gymnast with an Olympic medal who lived for over a century. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #2: Carla Marangoni
Why Canadians Pick UCLA
No college program has been so successful in recruiting Canadians. But why is this the case? Continue reading Why Canadians Pick UCLA
Gymnasts Throwing a First Pitch (Gif Guide)
When baseball meets gymnastics, the result is usually entertaining. Continue reading Gymnasts Throwing a First Pitch (Gif Guide)
How Many Medals Would Larissa Latynina Have Won Under Modern Scheduling?
Larissa Latynina won her medals in an era where the World Championships were held once every four years. What would have happened if she competed under the current format where they are held 3x every four years? Continue reading How Many Medals Would Larissa Latynina Have Won Under Modern Scheduling?
Shortly After Her Paralysis Elena Mukhina Wrote a Letter
A catastrophic injury cost Mukhina the use of her limbs. But that didn’t stop her from handwriting a letter 18 months later. Continue reading Shortly After Her Paralysis Elena Mukhina Wrote a Letter
The Year Without Gymnastics
In 1963 Caslavska and Latynina were poised for an epic showdown. Instead a boycott would prevent it from happening. Continue reading The Year Without Gymnastics
Data Crunch #4.2: Ranking AA Champions by Number of Medals Won
Awarding 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, & 1 for Bronze. I try to find the most dominating performance in WAG history. This article is writeup to accompany the data. Continue reading Data Crunch #4.2: Ranking AA Champions by Number of Medals Won
Data Crunch #4.1: Ranking AA Champions by Number of Medals Won (Data Hub)
Awarding 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, & 1 for Bronze. I try to find the most dominating performance in WAG history. This article features three graphics listing the results. Continue reading Data Crunch #4.1: Ranking AA Champions by Number of Medals Won (Data Hub)
The 1981 World Championships Conspiracy Theory (Part II)
A series of unusual events at the 1981 World Championships caused speculation that something was going on behind the scenes.
This is Part II that covers the actual competition itself. Continue reading The 1981 World Championships Conspiracy Theory (Part II)
The 1981 World Championships Conspiracy Theory (Part I)
A series of unusual events at the 1981 World Championships caused speculation that something was going on behind the scenes. This is Part I that covers the buildup to the 1981 World Championships. Continue reading The 1981 World Championships Conspiracy Theory (Part I)
How Olga Bicherova Defied Sexism in the USSR
After finishing up a successful athletic career Olga Bicherova decided to do something unconventional. Continue reading How Olga Bicherova Defied Sexism in the USSR
The Differences Between Nadia and Olga Korbut
They are two of the most famous names in gymnastics history, but they couldn’t have been any more different. Continue reading The Differences Between Nadia and Olga Korbut
Why So Many Gymnasts Come From Voronezh
Viktoria Komova, Angelina Melnikova, and Elena Davydova. Why is a relatively small Russian city a gymnastics powerhouse? Continue reading Why So Many Gymnasts Come From Voronezh
The First Time Turischeva Met Nadia Was an Outlandish Incident
In 1974 Turischeva first crossed paths with Nadia. The problem was, Nadia wasn’t supposed to be there. Continue reading The First Time Turischeva Met Nadia Was an Outlandish Incident
Simone Biles is Already a Legend, But She is Capable of Much More
Biles has already established an incredible legacy for herself. I came up with four things Biles can accomplish that will enhance her legacy even further. Continue reading Simone Biles is Already a Legend, But She is Capable of Much More
Data Crunch #3.3: Ranking the All-Around Champions by Apparatus Placement
In this Data Crunch I rank the AA Champions based on how they placed on each apparatus. This is the writeup for Data Crunch #3. Continue reading Data Crunch #3.3: Ranking the All-Around Champions by Apparatus Placement
Data Crunch #3.2: List of All-Around Champions by Apparatus Placement (Counting Ties)
The following is a list of AA Champions ranked by how well they perform on each apparatus.
This version of the data does count ties. Continue reading Data Crunch #3.2: List of All-Around Champions by Apparatus Placement (Counting Ties)
Data Crunch #3.1: List of All-Around Champions by Apparatus Placement (Not Counting Ties)
The following is a list of AA Champions ranked by how well they perform on each apparatus.
This version of the data does not count ties. Continue reading Data Crunch #3.1: List of All-Around Champions by Apparatus Placement (Not Counting Ties)
Gymnastics Bios #1: Annelore Zinke
The 1975 European Championships are best known for establishing the careers of Nadia Comaneci and Nellie Kim. This is the story of the gymnast who finished 3rd. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #1: Annelore Zinke
The Soviet Gymnasts Who Were Victims of Their Own Success.
In the mid 1960s a new generation of Soviet gymnasts revolutionized the sport. But little did they realize, the revolution they started would be their undoing. Continue reading The Soviet Gymnasts Who Were Victims of Their Own Success.
Two Months After the 1964 Olympics, a Little Known Event Would Change Women’s Gymnastics Forever
The 1964 Olympics featured an epic showdown between Caslavska and Latynina. But it was the results of a minor competition two months later that would change the course of gymnastics history. Continue reading Two Months After the 1964 Olympics, a Little Known Event Would Change Women’s Gymnastics Forever
Data Crunch #2.2: Margin of Victory in Women’s Gymnastics
In Data Crunch #2 I’ll analyze the margin of victory of every WAG competition.
Why does the most dominating WAG performance of all time belong to a gymnast most fans have never heard of? Why is Lilia one of the most talented gymnasts of all time? Why did Shannon Miller lose the 1992 Olympics in such a close competition?
Read the article to find out. Continue reading Data Crunch #2.2: Margin of Victory in Women’s Gymnastics
Data Crunch #2.1: A List of the Margin of Victory For Every Gymnastics Competition
In Data Crunch #2, I will be examining the margin of victory (MOV) at various WAG competitions. The first article is a list of MOV for all WAG competitions. Continue reading Data Crunch #2.1: A List of the Margin of Victory For Every Gymnastics Competition
Data Crunch #1.5: A Breakdown of Every Perfect 10 Ever Awarded
In my inaugural Data Crunch series, I will analyze the Perfect 10 and how often it was given out.
#1.5 is the main hub of the project featuring a writeup and analysis of how often the perfect score was handed out. Continue reading Data Crunch #1.5: A Breakdown of Every Perfect 10 Ever Awarded
Data Crunch #1.4: Gymnasts Who Accounted For the Most Perfect Tens in a Single Competition
In my inaugural Data Crunch series, I will analyze the Perfect 10 and how often it was given out.
#1.4 is a list of competitions where a single gymnasts accounted for the highest total of all Perfect 10s scored. Continue reading Data Crunch #1.4: Gymnasts Who Accounted For the Most Perfect Tens in a Single Competition
Data Crunch #1.3: Gymnasts Who Scored the Most Career Perfect Tens (Counting Olomouc)
In my inaugural Data Crunch series, I will analyze the Perfect 10 and how often it was given out.
#1.3 is a list of career Perfect 10s ranking the gymnasts by the most amount of Perfect 10s. This list counts Perfect 10s scored at the 1984 Alternate Olympics (Olomouc) as equal to those scored at the World Championships and Olympics. Continue reading Data Crunch #1.3: Gymnasts Who Scored the Most Career Perfect Tens (Counting Olomouc)
Data Crunch #1.2: Gymnasts Who Scored the Most Career Perfect Tens (Not Counting Olomouc)
In my inaugural Data Crunch series, I will analyze the Perfect 10 and how often it was given out.
#1.2 is a list of career Perfect 10s ranking the gymnasts by the most amount of Perfect 10s. The 1984 Alternate Olympics (Olomouc) are not included in the data. Continue reading Data Crunch #1.2: Gymnasts Who Scored the Most Career Perfect Tens (Not Counting Olomouc)
Data Crunch #1.1: A List of Every Perfect 10
In my inaugural Data Crunch series, I will analyze the Perfect 10 and how often it was given out.
#1.1 is nothing more than a simple list of every Perfect 10 that has ever been awarded. Continue reading Data Crunch #1.1: A List of Every Perfect 10
