Monday, July 16, 2012

This and That


Sandra Izbasa and Adi Pop working on perfecting the Eurotrash dance.

A translated interview with Komova about being a favorite at the Olympics and Team USA:

Gymnast Victoria Komova, world champion in 2011 in an exercise on the parallel bars, in an interview with "Soviet Sport" has admitted that the upcoming Olympics she does not want to speak or think,
- I do not like being called a favorite. I do not think a favorite. And Aliya Mustafina, for example, the same favorite, as I do. I am the way, really like that we train in the same room. When I see something that Alia's good at it, I 'looking for some ", I immediately want to go out and do, at least, not worse!
- Is it true that your main rivals in London will be the first American woman? What do you think of them?
- I like their mental toughness. They go on to the platform in the "impenetrable" mood, they do not sobesh. But too much I do not think about them. There is no hatred towards them I have not. I'd like to beat them, and we are quite capable. That they hate us. As they looked at us at the last world championships in Tokyo! About how to say hello when they met, there was no question, they deliberately did not talk with us. This is after our victory in Rotterdam. When they managed to beat us, they are relaxed and even came up at a banquet to congratulate you. With silver medals ...



Chen Yibing injured his knee in training.  It is believed to be meniscus damage.  Chen believes he can recover enough to compete in two weeks.  Chen is the master of the rings.  If anyone can take a dismount for gold, it is Chen.


A look at the Chinese Team.  It looks like He Kexin did indeed get the fifth spot despite Lu Shanzhen's statement that it was undecided.  Maybe she had a bad bars day and it was his inner Martha emerging?


A look at the Chinese Women's sendoff to Northern Ireland.  What is truly most amazing is how Deng Linlin has not aged a day since Beijing.  Middle School is usually a time of so much change.

















The debut of Grant Hochstein's long program.



Sean Rabbitt, who is now being coached by Tammy Gambill, he actually defeated training partner and good friend Ricky Dornbush in the short program.  Ginger Jackson is looking all grown up and madly in the sport.  There is even a hint of heterosexuality, which makes him an absolute unicorn in the sport.  His skating has certainly matured, as has his confidence.



I'm not one to post montages, but here is a lovely look of the choreography of Anastasia Grishina.  NBC is going to butcher her last name during the Olympics.  Just know it is not pronounced Grisheeeeeenuh.

18 comments:

  1. I hope the Russians win. I think that it was pure snobbery not to talk to someone until you know you have beaten them. Not sportsmanlike at all. Sure be competitive, till your hearts bleed, but be nice. Don't be rude.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG you're soooo right!! All of these girls should be focused on saying hi to each other and making small talk in the gym instead of being focused on their own training. I mean it's not like there is this huge language barrier or anything

      How absolutely bitchy for the Americans to be in their own bubble in Tokyo during the competition and then let go and have fun afterwards.

      I just hope these snobby Americans learn some sportsmanship from the Russians, mainly in the form of taking your medal off, crying and refusing to shake your competitor's hand

      Delete
    2. okay enough, this is the second time you've responded like this in two days. it's unnecessary. i guess if you want to bring up khorkina as a model of russian sportsmanship, i'll raise you paul hamm.

      Delete
    3. Stupidity must be fought by sarcasm.

      Delete
  2. I hope anyone but Russia wins. I am tired of people like Anon at 9:13 projecting their ridiculous opinions based solely on a poorly-translated article. Give me a break. Did you watch the video of worlds, when Komova refused to acknowledge the other medalists until the ceremony? The third-place Chinese girl attempted to come and to shake her hand, but Komova ignored her. I didn't see her congratulate Jordyn either. And did you catch the expression she made when Raisman completed floor?

    ReplyDelete
  3. well, you have to be fair to her - it's painful to watch raisman compete floor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Who cares!!! Just bring your A game and perform your routines like life depended on it. May the best girl win ( even if she is a bitch)! I don't give a fuck what these girls personalities are like.
    I agree that watching Aly do floor is like taking a dump when you have hemmorhoids.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Komova has a lot of nerve saying that after what the whole world witnessed at 2011 Worlds! I wish the Russian coaches would do their jobs and redirect the bad attitudes of some of these kids. The media may be leading this, but still.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So she was upset and showed emotion? She wasn't rude to anyone. She kept to herself. She didn't snub anyone on the podium or make a display. There is a difference between having emotion and being a bad sport like Alicia was to Shawn in 2007. Komova showed emotion because she was upset about not achieving her dream in 2011. That is respect for the importance of the competition. I am sorry that she didn't try to hog Nastia's spotlight like Shawn did in 2008 and then refuse to speak to her from that day onward.

      Delete
    2. Apparently Shawn stood up and clapped with Nastia's standing ovation at Trials. I NEED that video/picture in my life

      Delete
    3. Shawn must've thought cameras were on her in that moment.

      Delete
  6. i hope the chinese win :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Not sure why there are so many Raisman haters on here - She may not point her toes or have an elegant form, but she has a boatload of difficulty - If what was said about Komova is true (i.e., sneering at Raisman's floor routine), then she needs a serious reality check - Komova has clean lines, but her routine is not as difficult, and she looks like a weakened, starved waif when performing it - Hardly the look that any gymnast should be aiming for

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally agree!!! Aly exemplifies what gymnastics should be....MEN'S gymnastics!

      Delete
  8. the vitriol and negativity from posters is amazing to me. come on, is just gymnastics. I don't understand how some of you can form opinions on these girls who you guys don't even know on a daily basis.
    yes part of being involve in sports is having that believe that you are the best to the point of being egotistical, but that is during competitions. I clearly remember Raisman saying that Mustafina and her keep in touch and are nice towards each other, but come competition everyone has to focus on their own things. gymnastics is mostly an individual sport, even when competing in team qualifications you have to focus on yourself to qualify for the all around and events final against your own teammates. people can become bitchy and upset if things go wrong and you see your dreams melt in a matter of seconds. its hard to be nice especially when you may have only have one shot when it comes to gymnastics, the code of points changes and the it becomes harder and harder. you may not make it next year for whatever reason.
    i don't get the battle of nations thing, because to me its about the gymnastics style and the performance of the gymnast. for example I love Mustafina, but don't like Komova style of gymnastics. but i understand that Komova is good in her own way. I love Gabby, but dont like Weiber type of gymnastics. but i recognize Weiber potential and her ability to perform under pressure. I think Ponor gymnastics is overdone in the popping of her back and flopping of her arms, but I love Larissa. also love Jinnan, but at the end of the day is whomever hits when it matters and may the best that night wins. if it comes down to wire well is a matter of subjectivity in the judges minds

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said. I don't like that popping weirdness from Ponor it looks like she has tourettes syndrome...

      Delete
  9. Is it just me, or is He Kexin quite pretty now she's all grown up? She does look around the age her passport says now :)

    If Mustafina/Komova don't win UB I would like to see He take it again - then Tweddle of course.

    ReplyDelete