Remembering the Afghanistan Women’s Soccer Team
Reflections on the Afghanistan women’s soccer team and the powerful figures who led it. Continue reading Remembering the Afghanistan Women’s Soccer Team
Author: Mike Davis
What Simone Biles did for Elena Mukhina
Simone Biles may not realize it, but she just gifted Elena Mukhina something that is long overdue. Continue reading What Simone Biles did for Elena Mukhina
Whacky Stats and Records From the 2021 Olympics
42 bullet points representing the most funky and compelling statistics from the 2021 Olympics Continue reading Whacky Stats and Records From the 2021 Olympics
The Growing Strength of Angelina Melnikova
Angelina Melnikova is the unusual case of a gymnast who only seems to get better with time. Continue reading The Growing Strength of Angelina Melnikova
Did Everyone Go to the Olympics Without Me? (Part II)
In this 2-part series I cover the rare phenomenon of the “near-Olympic team.” Part II covers teams from the 2000s-present Continue reading Did Everyone Go to the Olympics Without Me? (Part II)
Did Everyone Go to the Olympics Without Me? (Part I)
In this 2-part series I cover the rare phenomenon of the “near-Olympic team.” Part I covers teams from the 1970s-1990s. Continue reading Did Everyone Go to the Olympics Without Me? (Part I)
Gymnasts Who Were Role Models For a Future Olympian
These gymnasts didn’t make an Olympic team, but their young training partner did. Continue reading Gymnasts Who Were Role Models For a Future Olympian
Ranking the Most Dominant All-Around Podiums
Ranking the strongest All-Around podiums in gymnastics history based on success throughout the rest of the competition. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant All-Around Podiums
Ranking the Most Dominant All-Around Podiums (By Year)
Ranking the strongest All-Around podiums in gymnastics history based on success throughout the rest of the competition. Continue reading Ranking the Most Dominant All-Around Podiums (By Year)
Three Reasons Why Simone Biles Should Compete in 2024
Simone Biles in Paris 2024? Here is why it makes so much sense. Continue reading Three Reasons Why Simone Biles Should Compete in 2024
France 2021: The Olympic Team From Three Different Continents
2021 France will be represented by gymnasts born in the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. More importantly, all of them were born French and have always lived in France. Continue reading France 2021: The Olympic Team From Three Different Continents
Quick Reaction: Great Britain Names 2021 Olympic Team
My take on the 2021 British Team Continue reading Quick Reaction: Great Britain Names 2021 Olympic Team
The Becky Downie Situation
Analyzing the decision to not name Becky Downie to the 2021 Olympic team. Continue reading The Becky Downie Situation
Simone Biles Always Wins
Simone isn’t just beating her competitors, but anyone who dares to oppose her. Continue reading Simone Biles Always Wins
How Will Simone Biles’ Career Be Remembered?
It is not what you win, it is not how you win, it is the story that gets told along the way. Continue reading How Will Simone Biles’ Career Be Remembered?
The 2021 U.S. Classics Features an Incredibly Young Field
The 2021 U.S. Classics is shockingly young, over half the competitors are 1st or 2nd year seniors. Continue reading The 2021 U.S. Classics Features an Incredibly Young Field
Can We Talk About How Impressive this 2021 U.S. Classics Start List Is?
The 2021 U.S. Classic will feature 42 gymnasts, it may be one of the most talented fields ever assembled in a domestic American meet Continue reading Can We Talk About How Impressive this 2021 U.S. Classics Start List Is?
Dominique Dawes is on a Mission to Fix Gymnastics
Dominique Dawes wants to change gymnastics, and she won’t mince words in an attempt to accomplish that goal. Continue reading Dominique Dawes is on a Mission to Fix Gymnastics
The Gymnast Who Died at the Berlin Wall
In the final days of the Cold War, a 20 year old former gymnast made a daring attempt to scale the Berlin Wall. Continue reading The Gymnast Who Died at the Berlin Wall
Viktoria Listunova Achieved a Record Only Held by Nadia Comaneci
For 1st-year seniors it is usually impossible to win the All-Around at the European Championships. Only Nadia Comaneci had done it, now Viktoria Listunova can say the same. Continue reading Viktoria Listunova Achieved a Record Only Held by Nadia Comaneci
Quick Reactions: Daniela Trica Retires
Three thoughts on what the reitement of Daniela Trica means for the future of Romanian gymnastics. Continue reading Quick Reactions: Daniela Trica Retires
What the 2021 European Championships Tell Us About Age Trends in Gymnastics
The 2021 European Championships proved gymnastics is still dominated by young athletes, but exceptions are becoming more common. Continue reading What the 2021 European Championships Tell Us About Age Trends in Gymnastics
The Arrival of Jessica Gadirova
After two years of being overshadowed by her sister, Jessica Gadirova has crashed onto the scene in her international senior debut. Continue reading The Arrival of Jessica Gadirova
The Unusual Rise of Viktoria Listunova
In any other era Viktoria Listunova would be your typical child prodigy, but between COVID-19 and Simone Biles, this era has been anything but typical. Continue reading The Unusual Rise of Viktoria Listunova
Quick Reactions to the 2021 National Championships
Michigan winning a National Championship is both a homage to the past and a homage to the future of the sport. Continue reading Quick Reactions to the 2021 National Championships
The Unlucky Generation of Soviet Gymnastics
If you were a Soviet gymnast, you did not want to be born in the 1940s. Continue reading The Unlucky Generation of Soviet Gymnastics
How Close Did Olga Korbut Come to Not Making the 1972 Olympic Team?
What would gymnastics be like if Olga Korbut had been left off the 1972 Soviet Olympic team? This scenario came awfully close to happening. Continue reading How Close Did Olga Korbut Come to Not Making the 1972 Olympic Team?
Gymnastics and #StopAsianHate
At a time when acts of hate are being committed against Asian-Americans, it is important to reflect on what that means for the Asian-Americans who represent Team USA. Continue reading Gymnastics and #StopAsianHate
2021 Russia: A Team Hungry for Success
As Russia gears up for the 2021 National Championships, the program enters a new era unlike the previous decade. Continue reading 2021 Russia: A Team Hungry for Success
USAG Is Only Pretending to Follow Child Protection Recommendations (Literally)
In USAG’s 2021 audit, glaring flaws can be found as to how it is implementation recommendations stemming from the 2017 Deborah Daniels Report. Continue reading USAG Is Only Pretending to Follow Child Protection Recommendations (Literally)
The Unlikely Gymnast and the Unlikely Coach (Part II)
It was the most unconventional duo in gymnastics history. The partnership between Elena Mukhina and Mikhail Klimenko was highly successful, but also proved to be mutually self-destructive. Continue reading The Unlikely Gymnast and the Unlikely Coach (Part II)
The Unlikely Gymnast and the Unlikely Coach (Part I)
It was the most unconventional duo in gymnastics history. The partnership between Elena Mukhina and Mikhail Klimenko was highly successful, but also proved to be mutually self-destructive. Continue reading The Unlikely Gymnast and the Unlikely Coach (Part I)
Oksana Chusovitina Is No Longer the Oldest Olympic Gymnast
Due to newly surfaced research, it has been discovered that there is an Olympic gymnast who is even older than Oksana Chusovitina. So, Oksana Chusovitina will just have to break that record again. Continue reading Oksana Chusovitina Is No Longer the Oldest Olympic Gymnast
The Absurdity of Li Li Leung’s Statement
In a poorly thought out attempt at damage control, Li Li Leung provoked the ire of the Gymternet. Continue reading The Absurdity of Li Li Leung’s Statement
What the Trial of John Geddert Could Have Accomplished
As the gymnastics community reflects on the passing of John Geddert, I give reflections on what could have been had a trial occurred. Continue reading What the Trial of John Geddert Could Have Accomplished
2032 Olympics Will Most Likely Go To Australia
In a decision that is being called “all but certain” Australia is expected to host the 2032 Olympics. Continue reading 2032 Olympics Will Most Likely Go To Australia
The News: February 23rd, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from February 16th, 2021 to February 23rd, 2021 Continue reading The News: February 23rd, 2021
The News (Special Edition)
Recapping select non-gymnastics news events February 16th, 2021 to February 23rd, 2021 Continue reading The News (Special Edition)
List of 2021 AAI Award Nominees
The following 29 gymnasts were nominated for the 2021 AAI Award. Continue reading List of 2021 AAI Award Nominees
Simone Biles: The Power of Having a Voice
Simone uses her body to win medals, she also has a voice which she uses to help others. Continue reading Simone Biles: The Power of Having a Voice
The News: February 15th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from February 11th, 2021 to February 15th, 2021 Continue reading The News: February 15th, 2021
Dianne Durham Honored in Kentucky House of Representatives
In 1983 Dianne Durham visited Kentucky, 38 years later that visit was remembered in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Continue reading Dianne Durham Honored in Kentucky House of Representatives
The News: February 11th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from February 8th, 2021 to February 11th, 2021 Continue reading The News: February 11th, 2021
USAG Athlete Representatives Should be a Level-10 or NCAA Gymnast
USAG has a problem with bad athlete advocates, perhaps it should recruit from the NCAA ranks to find better candidates. Continue reading USAG Athlete Representatives Should be a Level-10 or NCAA Gymnast
McKayla Maroney is Awesome (Part II)
For someone who has been knocked down so many times in life, all McKayla Maroney wants to do is give back to the world with continued messages of positivity. Continue reading McKayla Maroney is Awesome (Part II)
The Magic of Coach Jordyn Wieber
Jordyn Wieber is one of the youngest coaches in NCAA history, but what does this mean for college gymnasts who grew up watching her compete? Continue reading The Magic of Coach Jordyn Wieber
The News: February 8th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from February 2nd, 2021 to February 8th, 2021 Continue reading The News: February 8th, 2021
Dianne Durham: A Career That Mattered
As the gymnastics community mourns the passing of a legend, now is the time to reflect on the importance of her career. Continue reading Dianne Durham: A Career That Mattered
The News: February 2nd, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 25th, 2021 to February 2nd, 2021 Continue reading The News: February 2nd, 2021
McKayla Maroney is Awesome
McKayla Maroney is celebrated for being an amazing athlete, she should also be celebrated for her courage. Continue reading McKayla Maroney is Awesome
Why Does Li Li Leung Keep Treating Gymnastics Fans Like Trash?
Li Li Leung treats gymnastics fans like trash because her views don’t align with a fanbase that wants accountability and reform. Continue reading Why Does Li Li Leung Keep Treating Gymnastics Fans Like Trash?
The News: January 25th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 23rd, 2021 to January 25th, 2021 Continue reading The News: January 25th, 2021
The News: January 23rd, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 20th, 2021 to January 23rd, 2021 Continue reading The News: January 23rd, 2021
Remembering Julissa Gomez
People remember Julissa Gomez for the way her career ended, but the rest of her story should be remembered as well. Continue reading Remembering Julissa Gomez
The News: January 20th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 17th, 2021 to January 20th, 2021 Continue reading The News: January 20th, 2021
The Rise and Fall of Kim Gwang Suk
Kim Gwang Suk was a fascinating gymnast, she emerged in an era of chaos while her disappearance was equally perplexing. Continue reading The Rise and Fall of Kim Gwang Suk
The Wolf Turn Was as Popular 50 Years Ago as it is Today (Part II)
In Part II of this series, I cover the history of the wolf turn and why it should be considered one of the most sacred skills in gymnastics history. Continue reading The Wolf Turn Was as Popular 50 Years Ago as it is Today (Part II)
The Wolf Turn Was as Popular 50 Years Ago as it is Today (Part I)
It would shock you to know that the wolf turn is not a modern skill. It was as popular 50 years ago as it is today. Continue reading The Wolf Turn Was as Popular 50 Years Ago as it is Today (Part I)
The News: January 17th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 13th, 2021 to January 17th, 2021. Continue reading The News: January 17th, 2021
The Best Way to Honor a Legend is Knowing When to Say Goodbye
The best way to honor Simone Biles is to celebrate what she has already accomplished, not endless speculation on a 2024 comeback. Continue reading The Best Way to Honor a Legend is Knowing When to Say Goodbye
The News: January 13th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 10th, 2021 to January 13th, 2021 Continue reading The News: January 13th, 2021
The News: January 10th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 9th, 2021 to January 10th, 2021 Continue reading The News: January 10th, 2021
1928 Italy: The Most Tragic Record in Sports
In 1928, a team of child athletes won a silver medal in the gymnastics team competition. Shortly afterwards, one of them died. Continue reading 1928 Italy: The Most Tragic Record in Sports
The News: January 9th, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from January 6th, 2021 to January 9th, 2021 Continue reading The News: January 9th, 2021
Reunion: The Little French Island That Produces So Many Olympic Gymnasts
This small island off the coast of Madagascar has produced seven Olympic gymnasts. Continue reading Reunion: The Little French Island That Produces So Many Olympic Gymnasts
The News: January 5th 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics news from January 1st, 2021 to January 5th, 2021. Continue reading The News: January 5th 2021
The Forgotten Countries of the 1980 Boycott
The 1980 Olympic boycott is widely portrayed through the lens of the USA, here is how it impacted everyone else. Continue reading The Forgotten Countries of the 1980 Boycott
How the 1980 Olympic Boycott Altered the Career of Olga Mostepanova
Olga Mostepanova is well known for being affected by the 1984 Olympic boycott, this is how the 1980 boycott impacted her career as well. Continue reading How the 1980 Olympic Boycott Altered the Career of Olga Mostepanova
The News: January 1st, 2021
Recapping all the Gymnastics events from Late-December to January 1st, 2021. Continue reading The News: January 1st, 2021
The Swiss Gymnastics Paradox
The unique arrangement of the Swiss program handicaps the careers of its gymnasts. Creating a paradox for its athletes in the process. Continue reading The Swiss Gymnastics Paradox
Swiss Gymnastics: A Long History of Overcoming Adversity
Two Olympic boycotts and a program that spent decades being neglected due to sexism, Switzerland had to overcome so much adversity before it could win an Olympic medal. Continue reading Swiss Gymnastics: A Long History of Overcoming Adversity
The Worst Olympic Qualification Model Ever Devised
The 1976 Olympic qualification process was so flawed, teams could easily cheat the system and FIG had to scrap it three months before the Olympics. Continue reading The Worst Olympic Qualification Model Ever Devised
Which American Cities Have Produced the Most Olympians?
Which region of the United States is a gymnastics power? I tracked the hometown of every Olympian born in the United States to find out. Continue reading Which American Cities Have Produced the Most Olympians?
The List of Every Olympian Born in the United States
These are the Olympic gymnasts who were born in the United States. Some competed under the American flag, many did not. Continue reading The List of Every Olympian Born in the United States
Which American States Have Produced the Most Olympians
Which American state has produced the most Olympians? I crunch the numbers to find out. Continue reading Which American States Have Produced the Most Olympians
The Arrival of Anastasia Motak
Anastasia Motak entered the 2020 European Championships as a relatively unknown gymnast. She left with three medals and is the breakout star of 2020. Anastasia Motak has officially arrived. Continue reading The Arrival of Anastasia Motak
Larisa Iordache Has Unfinished Business
How has Larisa Iordache managed to stage such an improbable comeback? With so many goals yet to be achieved, Iordache still has unfinished business. Larisa is not leaving the sport until she has achieved what she has set out to do. Continue reading Larisa Iordache Has Unfinished Business
Beth Tweddle: The Most Under-Rated Gymnast of the Last 50 Years.
This article makes the case for Beth Tweddle being the most under-rated gymnasts of the last 50 years. I measure her consistency, longevity, medal count, and status as a trailblazer in the sport to make the case. Continue reading Beth Tweddle: The Most Under-Rated Gymnast of the Last 50 Years.
Why Sandra Izbasa is a Romanian Icon
An analysis of Sandra Izbasa’s career and why her unique experiences made her a Romanian icon. Continue reading Why Sandra Izbasa is a Romanian Icon
Gymnasts With the Most Top-8 Finishes in the All-Around
What if gymnast was credited for appearing in an AA finals in the same way they are credited for appearing in an apparatus finals? I crunch the numbers to find out. Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most Top-8 Finishes in the All-Around
The Most Successful Gymnasts Who Never Won a Gold Medal
These gymnasts never won a gold medal. But that didn’t stop them from becoming icons of the sport. Continue reading The Most Successful Gymnasts Who Never Won a Gold Medal
Why Gymnastics Was the Hardest Hit Olympic Sport in the Holocaust
In this article I examine the unique history of gymnastics that put the sport at the center of the Holocaust. Continue reading Why Gymnastics Was the Hardest Hit Olympic Sport in the Holocaust
Gymnastics and the Holocaust
Gymnastics was by far the hardest hit sport in the Holocaust. In this article I recount the careers of over 20 elite level gymnasts who had been murdered during World War II. Continue reading Gymnastics and the Holocaust
When Ukraine Ruled Gymnastics
Oksana Omelianchik, Tatiana Gutsu, and Lilia Podkopayeva. From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, Ukraine was an unstoppable force in gymnastics. Continue reading When Ukraine Ruled Gymnastics
When Ukraine Ruled the Artistic Sports
Tatiana Gutsu, Oksana Baiul, Lilia Podkopayeva, and Alexandra Timoshenko. Ukraine’s dominance of artistic sports in the 1990s was a sight to behold. Continue reading When Ukraine Ruled the Artistic Sports
How Dominant Was the Eastern Bloc in Gymnastics?
The Eastern Bloc once dominated gymnastics, but how should their medal count be interpreted? Continue reading How Dominant Was the Eastern Bloc in Gymnastics?
Elena Shushunova and the Impact of Body Shaming
How the topic of body-image affected Elena Shushunova. Continue reading Elena Shushunova and the Impact of Body Shaming
Gymnasts Who Were Named After Other Gymnasts
Usually it is a coincidence when two gymnastics share a name, but what about the times when it isn’t? Continue reading Gymnasts Who Were Named After Other Gymnasts
Gymnastics Bios #9: Maria Tyshko
Maria Tyshko was the first Soviet gymnast to win an AA title in international competition. But she never made it to the Olympics due to the Soviet refusal to join the Olympic movement prior to 1952. Continue reading Gymnastics Bios #9: Maria Tyshko
Gymnasts Who Wore the Elena Mukhina Leotard
In 1977 Elena Mukhina made the daisy-dot leotard iconic iconic, but she was far from the only gymnast who wore this leotard. Continue reading Gymnasts Who Wore the Elena Mukhina Leotard
Gymnasts Who Have Appeared in Event Finals on Every Apparatus
Gymnasts who have appeared in an Event Finals on vault, bars, beam, and floor. Continue reading Gymnasts Who Have Appeared in Event Finals on Every Apparatus
The Time Larissa Latynina Won Five Gold Medals While Four-Months Pregnant
In 1958 Larissa Latynina produced one of the most impressive performances in gymnastics history. Unbeknownst to her coaches, she competed while four-months pregnant. Continue reading The Time Larissa Latynina Won Five Gold Medals While Four-Months Pregnant
The Most Dominant Performances in Gymnastics History
Gymnasts with the most impressive medal haul in a single competition. Continue reading The Most Dominant Performances in Gymnastics History
Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Event Finals
The number of times every gymnast has appeared in an event finals at the Olympics and/or World Championships. Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Event Finals
Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Floor Finals
The number of times every gymnast has appeared in a floor exercise finals at the Olympics and/or World Championships. Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Floor Finals
The Continued Stupidity of USA Gymnastics
How USAG has dealt with the Azarian Gymnastics abuse allegations is a new low for the organization. Continue reading The Continued Stupidity of USA Gymnastics
Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Beam Finals
The number of times every gymnast has appeared in a balance beam finals at the Olympics and/or World Championships. Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Beam Finals
Is There Anyone Left to Win the European Championships?
With so many nations pulling out of the 2020 European Championships, here is a breakdown of who remains. Continue reading Is There Anyone Left to Win the European Championships?
The Margin of Victory in Every All-Around Battle
A list of every margin of victory in every competition. Continue reading The Margin of Victory in Every All-Around Battle
Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Uneven Bars Finals
The number of times every gymnast has appeared in an uneven bars finals at the Olympics and/or World Championships. Continue reading Gymnasts With the Most Appearances in Uneven Bars Finals
An Old School Gymnastics Blog 