Gymnasts With the Most 4th Place Finishes
The list of gymnasts with the most career 4th place finishes at the World Championships and Olympics Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most 4th Place Finishes
Author: Mike Davis
The Elena Mukhina Tapes
In 1978 Elena Mukhina was asked about the possibility of serious injury. Continue reading The Elena Mukhina Tapes
Gymnasts With the Most 4th Place Finishes at the Olympics
These are all the gymnasts who finished in 4th place at the Olympics ranked by the number of times they have done so. Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most 4th Place Finishes at the Olympics
Gymnasts Who Swept a Competition
The gymnasts who won a medal on every event at a single competition. Continue reading Gymnasts Who Swept a Competition
Gymnasts Who (Almost) Swept a Competition
Gymnasts who would have medaled on every event, if not for a 4th place finish. Continue reading Gymnasts Who (Almost) Swept a Competition
Ranking the Most Dominant Olympic All-Around Champions
In a data metric that I like to call “AA Showdown” gymnasts are ranked based on how they perform across common routines. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Olympic All-Around Champions
The Dominance of Simone Biles is Insane (Part III)
When Simone Biles’ medal tally is added up, it looks like a mountain compared to every one else. Continue reading The Dominance of Simone Biles is Insane (Part III)
The Shannon Miller Exception
Prior to the 2008 Olympic quad, the gymnasts with the most career medals came from Eastern Europe. Shannon Miller is the only exception to this trend. Continue reading The Shannon Miller Exception
The Quirky Rule Which Allowed Seniors to Compete as Juniors
Due to a quirk in age limits, for three decades gymnasts could compete in an Olympics and then return to junior competition. Continue reading The Quirky Rule Which Allowed Seniors to Compete as Juniors
The Story Behind the Basketball Coach Miss Val Likes to Promote
Miss Val has always held John Wooden in high regard, but who was John Wooden? Continue reading The Story Behind the Basketball Coach Miss Val Likes to Promote
Nina Dronova: The Nadia Before Nadia
This gymnast was beating Turischeva at 13 years old, scored a Perfect 10 and was named to an Olympic team the following year. But her name isn’t Nadia… Continue reading Nina Dronova: The Nadia Before Nadia
The Lesser Known Leotards of Oksana Omelianchik
Going through pictures of Oksana Omelianchik’s leotards reveals an interesting trend. Continue reading The Lesser Known Leotards of Oksana Omelianchik
Gymnastics Bios #6: Natalia Tereschenko
Natalia Tereschenko isn’t the most famous gymnast from the Soviet program, but she is certainly amongst its most interesting. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #6: Natalia Tereschenko
The Six Flags of Svetlana Boginskaya
Boginskaya went to three Olympics and was represented by a different flag on each occasion. But there was more to the story than that… Continue reading The Six Flags of Svetlana Boginskaya
Would Elena Mukhina Have Made the Olympic Team if Not For Her Paralyzing Injury?
Elena Mukhina missed the 1980 Olympics due to a tragic injury. But would she have made the Olympics if that injury had never happened? Continue reading Would Elena Mukhina Have Made the Olympic Team if Not For Her Paralyzing Injury?
Texas Dreams: The Questions That Were Never Asked
With Texas Dreams embroiled in controversy, it is time to examine the questions that were not getting asked. Continue reading Texas Dreams: The Questions That Were Never Asked
The Legend of D-D Breaux
D-D Breaux was more than a legend, she was the last of her kind. Continue reading The Legend of D-D Breaux
A Breakdown of Confusing Cold War Era Terms
This is a tool to make it easier to understand Cold War era terminology in my future articles. Continue reading A Breakdown of Confusing Cold War Era Terms
Marcia Frederick and Shawn Johnson Experienced the Same Struggle 28 Years Apart
In July of 2020 Shawn Johnson reflected on her experiences. Her comments were almost identical to what Marcia Frederick had said nearly three decades earlier. Continue reading Marcia Frederick and Shawn Johnson Experienced the Same Struggle 28 Years Apart
Gymnasts Who Have Won the Most Medals in Event Finals
Which gymnast are the career medal leaders when only medals won during Event Finals are counted? Continue reading Gymnasts Who Have Won the Most Medals in Event Finals
Athlete A: One of the Most Successful Gymnastics Documentaries of All Time
Gymnastics fans know all about Athlete A, but most are unaware as to just how much success the film is having. Continue reading Athlete A: One of the Most Successful Gymnastics Documentaries of All Time
How Mary Lou Retton Tries to Rewrite Gymnastics History
Why does Mary Lou Retton contend that Ecaterina Szabo was the 1983 World Champion? Continue reading How Mary Lou Retton Tries to Rewrite Gymnastics History
Quick Reaction: British Gymnastics Abuse Allegations
Some quick thoughts on recent allegations that have surfaced within the British gymnastics program. Continue reading Quick Reaction: British Gymnastics Abuse Allegations
Was Maggie Nichols Unfairly Left Off the Olympic Team?
Why Maggie Nichols was left off the 2016 Olympic team is fiercely debated, these are the points that get lost in the discussion. Continue reading Was Maggie Nichols Unfairly Left Off the Olympic Team?
Ranking the Best Gymnasts of Each Olympic Quad
An analysis of gymnasts who were the most dominant in an entire Olympic cycle. Continue reading Ranking the Best Gymnasts of Each Olympic Quad
Ranking Gymnasts By Points (Data Hub)
Who is the best gymnast for each country? For each decade? For each Olympic cycle? The answers are all located here. Continue reading Ranking Gymnasts By Points (Data Hub)
Maggie Haney: The Real Question is What Comes Next
With the Haney ruling announced, now comes the question of what it means for future abuse cases. Continue reading Maggie Haney: The Real Question is What Comes Next
American Gymnasts Are Better Than You Think
American gymnastics has seen tremendous growth, but its growth has been considerably larger than people realize. Continue reading American Gymnasts Are Better Than You Think
The Number of Olympians in this Picture is Insane
In 1990 the Soviets posed for a team photo. Little did they know the breakup of the USSR was about to alter the course of their Gymnastics careers. Continue reading The Number of Olympians in this Picture is Insane
Ludmilla Turischeva Went Out Like a Legend
Turischeva rebounded from a devastating defeat at the hands of Nadia to salvage the final two years of her career. Continue reading Ludmilla Turischeva Went Out Like a Legend
The Hidden Difficulty of the Vault
The difficulty of performing well on vault in an Event Finals in more difficult than people realize. Continue reading The Hidden Difficulty of the Vault
Vault Queens Who Did Not Win an Olympic Gold Medal
Three vault legends seemed to be unbeatable on the apparatus, only to make a mistake at the worst possible moment. Continue reading Vault Queens Who Did Not Win an Olympic Gold Medal
Gymnasts and the Handstand Challenge
Gymnasts have joined in on a viral trend to pass the time while they are stuck in quarantine. Continue reading Gymnasts and the Handstand Challenge
The Unapologetically Bad Judging in Early Olympic History
Judges once had the power to single handedly award their own country a medal. It went about as well as one would expect. Continue reading The Unapologetically Bad Judging in Early Olympic History
The Media Needs to Stop Comparing Konnor McClain to Simone Biles
Konnor McClain is a great gymnast, but pegging her against Simone Biles is unwarranted and unfair. Continue reading The Media Needs to Stop Comparing Konnor McClain to Simone Biles
Myth vs Reality: Is Simone Biles Breaking an Age Barrier?
As Simone is forced to wait another year for the Olympics, she enters deeper into uncharted territory regarding her age. Continue reading Myth vs Reality: Is Simone Biles Breaking an Age Barrier?
McKayla Maroney: A Case Study of How Television Should Not Treat an Athlete
It is normal to cover gymnasts reacting to a tough loss. But did putting Maroney in 93.8% of their coverage cross a line? Continue reading McKayla Maroney: A Case Study of How Television Should Not Treat an Athlete
Tokyo 2021: What Comes Next
As the Olympic Games are moved to 2021, Gymnastics has four major logistical problems that need to be resolved. Continue reading Tokyo 2021: What Comes Next
How Bela and Marta Karolyi Got Their Daughter out of Romania
The road to retrieve their daughter from Romania took Bela and Marta Karolyi to a little known Congressman who worked on trade deals. What happened next would change the course of American gymnastics history. Continue reading How Bela and Marta Karolyi Got Their Daughter out of Romania
The IOC is in Denial and it is Only Hurting Athletes
The IOC’s defiance has unfairly put athletes in a state of limbo. Continue reading The IOC is in Denial and it is Only Hurting Athletes
Two-Time Olympians Who Never Competed in a World Championships
The idea of a gymnast making it to the Olympics 2x but not the World Championships may sound ludicrous, but a surprising number of gymnasts have done it. Continue reading Two-Time Olympians Who Never Competed in a World Championships
Coronavirus: What Olympic Sports Fans Need to Know
What fans of Olympic sports need to know as the COVID-19 situation develops. Continue reading Coronavirus: What Olympic Sports Fans Need to Know
Lorette Charpy: A Case Study In Mental Strength
After experiencing an equipment malfunction, it was how she reacted that makes Lorette Charpy an example of the mental strength gymnasts have. Continue reading Lorette Charpy: A Case Study In Mental Strength
The Queens of 4th Place (Part II)
The gymnasts who have had the worst luck with 4th place finishes. (Part II) Continue reading The Queens of 4th Place (Part II)
The Queens of 4th Place (Part I)
The gymnasts who have had the worst luck with 4th place finishes. (Part I) Continue reading The Queens of 4th Place (Part I)
Gymnasts of the 2010s Visualized
Gymnasts of the 2010s are visualized to show how dominant they were and on which events they had the most success. Continue reading Gymnasts of the 2010s Visualized
After Her Injury a Soviet Coverup Hurt Elena Mukhina Even More
Unable to hide the fact that their top gymnast had been seriously hurt, the Soviets found other ways to downplay the events that had transpired. Continue reading After Her Injury a Soviet Coverup Hurt Elena Mukhina Even More
How Fan Mail Bothered Elena Mukhina
After her injury Elena Mukhina received letters of support from fans, some of which did more harm than good. Continue reading How Fan Mail Bothered Elena Mukhina
Missouri Gymnastics: A Program Run Like The Ranch
How a humorous Tweet and a controversial award nominee expose a college program rife with problems. Continue reading Missouri Gymnastics: A Program Run Like The Ranch
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of All Time
Who is the best gymnast of all time? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of All Time
Dispelling the Myth: Title IX and Cuts to Men’s Athletics
Title IX is often blamed for the downfall of wrestling and men’s gymnastics. The real culprit is anything but. Continue reading Dispelling the Myth: Title IX and Cuts to Men’s Athletics
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnastics Programs
A ranking of the top gymnastics programs based on how many medals their gymnasts won in the individual events. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnastics Programs
Ranking the Most Dominant American Gymnasts
Who was the best America gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant American Gymnasts
The Dominance of Simone Biles is Insane (Part II)
After positive feedback from the Gymternet on Part I, I decided to rearrange the data to give additional recognition to Aliya Mustafina. Continue reading The Dominance of Simone Biles is Insane (Part II)
Ranking the Most Dominant Russian Gymnasts
Who was the best Russian gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Russian Gymnasts
Ranking the Most Dominant Romanian Gymnasts
Who was the best Romanian gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Romanian Gymnasts
The Fall of Eastern Europe Visualized
A visual perspective of when precisely Eastern Europe lost its dominance of women’s gymnastics. Continue reading The Fall of Eastern Europe Visualized
Ranking the Most Dominant Japanese Gymnasts
Who was the best Japanese gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Japanese Gymnasts
Ranking the Most Dominant Chinese Gymnasts
Who was the best Chinese gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Chinese Gymnasts
The Perfect Ten is Misunderstood
The perfect 10 made Nadia and Ohashi famous, but it didn’t make gymnastics famous. This fundamental difference is why the perfect 10 is misunderstood. Continue reading The Perfect Ten is Misunderstood
Ranking the Most Dominant Ukrainian Gymnasts
Who was the best Ukrainian gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Ukrainian Gymnasts
Is it Harder to Win Medals in Men’s or Women’s Gymnastics?
Is it easier to win medals in men’s gymnastics or women’s gymnastics? The question sounds simple but the answer is anything but. Continue reading Is it Harder to Win Medals in Men’s or Women’s Gymnastics?
Ranking the Most Dominant East German Gymnasts
Who was the best East German gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant East German Gymnasts
The Gymnastics Side of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was famous for basketball. His involvement with gymnastics was not as well known. Continue reading The Gymnastics Side of Kobe Bryant
Ranking the Most Dominant Czechoslovakian Gymnasts
Who was the best Czechoslovakian gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Czechoslovakian Gymnasts
There is no Defense for the Actions of Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton notoriously meet with Congress over the Sex Abuse Bill. Here’s what actually happened. Continue reading There is no Defense for the Actions of Mary Lou Retton
Ranking the Most Dominant Hungarian Gymnasts
Who was the best Hungarian gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Hungarian Gymnasts
Ranking the Most Dominant Soviet Gymnasts
Who was the best Soviet gymnast? I give 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and 1 for bronze to find out. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant Soviet Gymnasts
Thoughts on the Data: Which Countries Have Produced the Most Medalists?
The unappreciated success of France. The differences between Romania and China. The changing of the guard. I give my thoughts on Data Crunch #5.10 Continue reading Thoughts on the Data: Which Countries Have Produced the Most Medalists?
Which Countries Have Produced the Most Medalists?
This is not a list of how many medals a country has, but how many DIFFERENT gymnasts have won a medal for each country. Continue reading Which Countries Have Produced the Most Medalists?
The Dominance of Simone Biles is Insane
When Simone’s medal count is presented in a different way, her dominance is even more staggering. Continue reading The Dominance of Simone Biles is Insane
A History of the Average Age in Women’s Gymnastics
What year did the ages started falling giving us 14 year olds like Nadia? What year did they start rising giving us more 2x Olympians like Aly Raisman? I calculate the data to find out. Continue reading A History of the Average Age in Women’s Gymnastics
What Happens When You Put a Gymnast Through Spellcheck?
Aly Irishman, Lilia Padlocked, McKayla Marooned, Aliya Mustang, Mo Hilda, Nastia Licking. What happens when a gymnast is put through Spellcheck? Continue reading What Happens When You Put a Gymnast Through Spellcheck?
The Time an 11 year Old Nadia Defeated a Legend
In a little known competition from 1973, Romania’s best Olympian was beaten by an 11 year old. Continue reading The Time an 11 year Old Nadia Defeated a Legend
When Iran had Women’s Gymnastics
The little known story of the time Iran sent a gymnast to the Olympics in WAG. Continue reading When Iran had Women’s Gymnastics
The Bizarre Backstory to Atlanta Winning the 1996 Olympics
Few Olympic bids seemed more unlikely to win than Atlanta-1996, but to the surprise of everyone, it did. Continue reading The Bizarre Backstory to Atlanta Winning the 1996 Olympics
What the Atlanta Olympics Gave Us
An iconic American win on American soil produced a series of events that would impact the future of the sport in more ways than one. Continue reading What the Atlanta Olympics Gave Us
Why Texas Doesn’t Have College Gymnastics (Part II)
For a state that is an Olympic power in the sport, it lacks any noticeable presence. Part II covers the numbers and why Texas schools don’t fit the profile of the typical NCAA school that sponsors gymnastics. Continue reading Why Texas Doesn’t Have College Gymnastics (Part II)
Why Texas Doesn’t Have College Gymnastics (Part I)
For a state that is an Olympic power in the sport, it lacks any noticeable presence. Part I covers the history of Texas college athletics to explain why. Continue reading Why Texas Doesn’t Have College Gymnastics (Part I)
Ragan Smith is Already an NCAA Success Story
Ragan Smith’s arrival at Oklahoma has given her new life and has transformed her for the better. Continue reading Ragan Smith is Already an NCAA Success Story
How Should Germany’s Olympic Medals be Counted?
German Empire, East Germany, West Germany. What happened to the Olympic medals of all these countries? Continue reading How Should Germany’s Olympic Medals be Counted?
Add Another Jewel to Simone’s Crown
As Simone wins another award, her legacy continues to grow. Continue reading Add Another Jewel to Simone’s Crown
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1930s
Who was the best gymnast of the 1930s? 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 1930s
Gymnastics Bios #5: Olga Koval
In 1975 the USSR had a famed quartet of juniors. Three of them became legends. This is the story of the 4th gymnast. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #5: Olga Koval
Italy: An Overlooked Gymnastics Program
For Italian WAG, its success goes far beyond a single class of 2003 gymnasts. Continue reading Italy: An Overlooked Gymnastics Program
The Russian High Jumper Everyone Should Root For
The dominant high jumper who is quickly becoming a modern day Mostepanova. Continue reading The Russian High Jumper Everyone Should Root For
Some Thoughts on Sexual Misconduct in Sports
A recent story in figure skating leaves lessons we should all learn from. Continue reading Some Thoughts on Sexual Misconduct in Sports
Ranking the Most Dominant Gymnasts of the 1950s
Who was the best gymnast of the 1950s? 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 1950s
Gymnastics Bios #3: Galina Urbanovich
The little known gymnast who was the grandmother of the Soviet WAG dynasty. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #3: Galina Urbanovich
Gymnastics Bios #4: Maria Gorokhovskaya
The life of the Olympic Champion who survived a brutal WWII siege, the Holocaust, and hid her Jewish background from Soviet officials. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #4: Maria Gorokhovskaya
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
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)
