My Boycott
THE 2010 COMPETITIVE season is well under way, and
we are pleased to highlight both the Nadia
Comaneci International Invitational and the
Tyson American Cup in this issue.
The Nadia Meet is developing into a wonderful cele-
bration of gymnastics as well as an exceptional interna-
tional competition as it also broadens its scope. This
year, in addition to the gymnastics component, a
health fair and the first indoor U.S. championships in
kayaking were held. Yes, indoor kayaking—on machines, of course, but world
and Olympic medalists participated, so the level of competition was very high.
With an audience of nearly 3,000, gymnasts from nine countries competed for
both their clubs as well as for individual honors. The overall winners for junior,
senior and club all came from Gemini Gymnastics, coached by Yelena Davydova, the 1980 Olympic all-around champion. Both Kristina Vaculik and
Riley Cholod showed excellent difficulty with artistic presentation way beyond
the norm now. Plus, I am thrilled that Vaculik will attend Stanford University next
fall on a full scholarship. I did my graduate work at Stanford, so I know how much
she will enjoy her college education there. Congratulations to all the 740 gymnasts who competed in this growing event that truly celebrates the athletes.
Unfortunately, I did not attend or watch the Tyson American Cup. After hearing the news prior to the competition that Ivana Hong had torn her ACL while
vaulting at the Karolyi ranch—the U.S. National Training Center for the
women’s program—I decided to personally boycott the event. I just don’t understand how so many people can stand by quietly while so many lovely young
ladies incur so many injuries at that ranch. Is it the facility, or is it the program
being used there that results in a huge upward spike in risk of injury to the athletes? I hope Ivana can make it back. I have always
enjoyed watching her gymnastics.
Another gymnast I really like is current world
champion Kohei Uchimura. I hope you enjoy our
exclusive profile, “Virtuoso,” in this issue.
Serving Gymnastics Since 1956 P.O. Box 721020, Norman, OK 73070 Tel: (405) 447-9988 Fax: (405) 447-5810 E-mail: ig@intlgymnast.com Printed in USA IG Online: www.intlgymnast.com
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Paul Ziert
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EDI TOR /AR T DIREC TOR
Dwight Normile
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Nadia Comaneci
WRITERS
John Crumlish, Amanda Turner, Christian Ivanov
PHOTOGRAPHERS
CONTRIBUTORS
Anneleen Kaptein-Dekker, Amy Van Deusen
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During the Nadia Comaneci International Invitational, Steve Craig of AAI (second from
right), delivered a $10,000 check to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Craig is
shown here with IGHOF Board members (from left) Ben Fox, Bart Conner and Paul Ziert.
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