Gymcastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

Headline News Starting with the good stuff: This Def happened from Haruka Nakamura (JPN) Now to the bad: Al Fong is under SafeSport investigation with 40 allegations spanning decades. We discuss why on earth this investigation has taken 2.5 years so far and whether it is acceptable to take a break from an investigation for the Olympics. John Roethlisberger breaking the news that USAG Team Strategic Lead is pregnant and Simone Biles is "back in the gym". Winter Cup Preview We preview the senior women's competition at Winter Cup this week, featuring the most anticipated new seniors and injury comebacks, top returning favorites, and whether there might be any Donatella Effect. Plus, what's on the line for the junior women and whether there might be an EVO factor in the men's meet. NCAA Week 7 Headlines National Qualifying Score (NQS) is now in effect. We discuss what it is and who it benefits, and how Oklahoma already has a chance to set an all-time record. In February. Strategy season: Which teams are ta

NCAA Headlines Grace McCallum was injured on vault at the Meet No One Could See Correct or Corrupt: The judging incident in Florida. We discuss how this (and all the other judging problems at this competition) might have even happened and why it was allowed to stand, why it matters, why overscoring gymnasts isn't actually a kindness, and why there's no public accountability. Is USAG suddenly beating college gymnastics in the competition accessibility department? Plus, updates on the race to the 10s record and other ranking changes NCAA Week 6 Notes Some important DOs and some very important DON'Ts A tribute to beam amplitude and those who are not basic Your feedback on leotard bonus, college gymnastics music mixes, cringey in-arena nonsense, pickle sponsorships, and more Plus, fantasy gymnastics notes for week 6, and some elite Winter Cup roster news JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podc

There was a special guest at the women's national team camp this week. How do we feel about this? And what do we hope was said? Morgan Hurd discussed her potentially misdiagnosed knee injury in the run up to the Tokyo Olympics. Bart Deurloo announced his retirement. We pay tribute. NCAA Week 5 Friday featured the most 10s given out in a single day in college gymnastics in 19 years. Spencer is......going to be fine. We discuss which 10s might have been the realest, the problem with going stick-blind, and bring Correct or Corrupt to a possible 10 that wasn't. Plus, feedback on how judges get assigned to meets, how receipts would change everything, the judging of Suni Lee's vault, and when/why handstands became the be-all, end-all of bars Jessica has some awards of the week, an ode to Jordan Chiles, a score protest to honor, and some ideas for future post-routine celebrations SURVEY We want your opinion! Tell us what you think here. EXTRA CLUB CONTENT Club Gym Nerd members can watch the video version of the

SURVEY We want your opinion! Tell us what you think here. EXTRA CLUB CONTENT Club Gym Nerd members can watch the video version of the show, join us for live podcasts once a week, get extended and early releases of interviews, and have early access to live show tickets. Please login to your Club Gym Nerd account to listen and/or watch this episode. Not a member? Join here. The Headlines Vitaly Marinich is out as the French men's coach. Who could have seen these problems coming? In a leaked letter, Ellie Black, Kyle Shewfelt, and Rosie MacLennan have called for the resignation of Canadian gymnastics leadership NCAA Week 4 Oklahoma notched the highest score in the country, and Arkansas and Kentucky both set program records Trinity Watch: The Race for the 10s Record moved another step forward From equipment failures to result changes to Correct or Corrupt, the UCLA/Oregon State meet sure was eventful Plus, a beam rules quiz, a heartfelt, unbiased plea for a judging time clock, the stupidity of gymnastics All-

BONUS CONTENT Week One of College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here. Club Gym Nerd members can watch the video version of the show, join us for live podcasts once a week, get extended and early releases of interviews, and have early access to live show tickets. Please login to your Club Gym Nerd account to listen and/or watch this episode. Not a member? Join here. Vanessa Atler is Here! We get her honest takes on what skills are actually pretty easy, what skills...don't look the best, and what skills have impressed her so far this NCAA season: from front aerials to 2 feet, to back handspring fulls, to gainers, and yes...bars elements. Would she teach someone her old floor routines if they wanted to do a tribute? (Do itttttttt) The GymCastic NCAA Team Matchmaking Service: We use our scientifically patented, NASA-tested, 8-tier system to match Vanessa to her perfect NCAA team The News W

EXTRA CLUB CONTENT Week One of College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here. Club Gym Nerd members can watch the video version of the show, join us for live podcasts once a week, get extended and early releases of interviews, and have early access to live show tickets. Join here. College Gym Headlines More 10s! Leanne Wong and Jade Carey both scored two 10.000s this week as we set a record for most 10.000s given out by the second week of the season. Hooray? We play "Which 10 was the 10iest?" and make the case for which athlete is most likely to score 40.000 Correct or Corrupt: This week, we're looking at some mandatory deductions that very much weren't taken in Florida and reaffirm that "the Nadia standard" for stuck landings isn't a thing A very important anonymous letter about a TV producer's behavior toward judges Kiya Johnson's torn Achilles and LSU's Monday comeback performance Blamin

EXCLUSIVE CLUB CONTENT College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to to sample even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet. Watch or listen here. Club Gym Nerd members can watch the video version of the show, join us for live podcasts once a week, get extended and early releases of interviews, get early access to live show tickets and merch discounts. Please login to your Club Gym Nerd account to listen and/or watch this episode. Not a member? Join here.  College Gym Headlines Debuts! The first week of the season brought college debuts from Morgan Hurd, eMjae Frazier, Kayla DiCello, and the first ever HBCU gymnastics team 10s! Trinity Thomas and Suni Lee got 10s on beam, bringing Trinity just 7 shy of the all-time record. Would her record come with an asterisk? The Super 16 meet actually happened, and Oklahoma won with one of the highest opening scores ever While the actual most important Olivia Dunne topic this week was wondering how soon she can get into LSU's b

THE NADIA MOVIE Lies, lies, and more lies! For today's commissioned episode, we watched the 1984 made-for-TV movie Nadia, a Very Highly Extremely Unauthorized biography of Nadia Comaneci, and we seriously just can't with it. We discuss: Things that definitely 100% happened and aren't lies at all, like Bela Karolyi creepily discovering Nadia at recess The villain of this tale: Communism The very important *IMMEDIATE CHOREOGRAPHED FRIENDSHIP DANCE* between Nadia and Teodora Interrupting the judges in the middle of Tourischeva's floor routine (!) Anachronistic hair: A deep discussion Marcia Frederick's stunts are the only watchable part The first double pike beam dismount ever competed? Maria Filatova (USSR) 1977 This movie did Teodora Ungureanu dirty Is this the only gymnastics movie where the stunt work is harder than the real routines they're portraying? Wait...did they turn Nellie Kim white? Creating the future: Did Bela reenact some of these scenes later in his career? Some very sensitive and thoughtful

EXCLUSIVE CLUB CONTENT Club Gym Nerd members can listen to the full interview, uninterrupted, and have access to the original documents discussed in this episode. Please login to your Club Gym Nerd account to listen and/or watch this episode. Not a member? Join here.The public episode includes evidence, obtained by GymCastic, directly from the secret police archives.  Nadia and the Secret Police Project K Episode 1 We continue this week with the second and final part of Jessica's interview with Dr. Stej Olaru, whose book Nadia and the Secret Police is currently available for pre-order in English. They discuss: The unverified report that Bela tried to sabotage Teodora Ungureanu to ensure a Hungarian would win a medal The Ellen Berger/Bela Karolyi feud and what may have really been behind it Nadia's mom's official complaints View the original files and translations here. Project K: Secret Police Documents on the Karolyis Introduction to Project K Operation Olympia explained Project K: Romanian Gymnast

Nadia and the Secret Police Today, the start of Project K, our dive into the files and transcripts from "Operation Olympia," the Romanian secret police's multi-year surveillance project investigating the Karolyis. We have the first part of Jessica's interview with Dr. Stej Olaru, whose book Nadia and the Secret Police is currently available for pre-order in English. They discuss: What the secret police did and whether their reports can be trusted as reliable primary sources The sheer extent and complexity of the surveillance project of Nadia How many people tried to sound the alarm about the Karolyis in the 1970s Would anything have changed if this had been public knowledge? Plus, transcripts from the actual files about the Karolyis from 1976, detailing physical and verbal abuse, an "atmosphere of terror," and the insistence on ignoring physicians and experts. NCAA Preview To lighten the load, we also talk a little bit about this year's very important and real preseason coaches poll, the finally-announ

Headline News This week, Morgan Hurd blessed us with a double layout to make it all better, and we have a preview of our major exposé Project K—where gymnastics and spycraft run into each other at full speed inside 1970s Romania—which will finally be coming to your ears over the next two weeks. NCAA Preview We're one month out from the NCAA season, and we're talking new first years like Kayla DiCello, eMjae Frazier, Faith Torrez, and more. Plus, which teams face the biggest upheavals in the 2023 season (cough, Georgia), why we're a little too excited about literally just some lines of tape, and the biggest storyline of the preseason: 5th-year transfers. Mini-Commissions A mini-commission on the history of South African gymnasts at the Olympics and other major competitions: the biggest accomplishments and what the future holds A mini-commission on Soviet training conditions and techniques of the 1980s and how that resulted in pushing the limits of difficulty. Plus, all the gymternet news you need JOIN C

Please login to your Club Gym Nerd account to watch this episode. Not a member? Join here Headline News Since we've been gone... Suni Lee announced her impending returning to elite, Sydney Barros registered a nationality switch, and there are big big changes to the US men's resident program in Colorado Springs. Meet News The post-worlds period brought an opportunity for gymnasts to earn some actual money in Switzerland with the Swiss Cup and Arthur Gander Memorial. We discuss the weird-but-kind-of-awesome format of these meets, the US team of Yul Moldauer and Addison Fatta just edging the Italian team of Nicola Bartolini and Martina Maggio for the Swiss Cup title, Spencer's hyper-interest in the strategy of which events everyone should compete when, and the floor routine that earned Jessica's seal of approval. How does the prize money for these meets compare to the...actual world championship? Plus... News on constant vigilance, bribery, NCAA coach movement, being resilient AF, and most importantly...the

OLYMPIC TRIALS CONTROVERSIES This week, we have a commission from Club Gym Nerd member Jasmine, who asked for an episode on the history of US Olympic Trials—how teams were selected and all the major scandals. And there have been plenty. 1980 - Olympic boycott hypocrisy and what happens when gymnasts tie for the last spot? (Or have alligators?) 1984 - The case of Dianne Durham and the Olympic petition 1988 - The Perils of Rank Order: The Early Years 1992 - The back-room meeting that kept Kim Kelly off the Olympic team 1996 - Only controversial if you're a Forster? 2000 - Atler. Nuff said. The Martha Years - Were teams really chosen months in advance? Plus, we make our proposals for an ideal Olympic team selection process for the United States   JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd or buy a gift membership for access to Behind the Scenes episodes. Behind the Scenes: Kensley's Wedding Behind The Scenes After Olympic Trials We Have Olympic Teams! Olympic Trials Day Two for Men & Women Live From Oly

2000 Olympic Trials This week, we have a group commission from Brianna, Stephanie, Atwood, Laura, Karla, and Emma, all about [deep breath] the collective nightmare that was the 2000 Olympic Trials. We discuss: The breaking news that there actually was official selection criteria, and it was technically followed. The significance of 2000 Trials as the worst thing that has ever happened ever, the controversy of the selection process, the low point this represented in athlete-first commentary, and just...the Bela of it all Shannon's comeback What if Atler had been able to compete on the "new" vault? The way the commentators talk about Alyssa Beckerman The infamous Rybacki fluff piece DLO + Punch front Shannon's vault injury BEIGE DRAPES Steve Nunno's performance piece The Moceanu sadness forest Why they selected the team they did, and was it the right call?   JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd or buy a gift membership for access to Behind the Scenes episodes. Behind the Scenes: Rodeo Exercise Machine B

Liverpool World Championships 2022 Event Finals & Mega Worlds Recap We'll discuss both days of event finals, the breaking (?) of the white leo curse and our favorite and least favorite moments of this World Championships.LOGIN TO JOIN US LIVE  Club Gym Nerd members can ask questions live, watch the podcast being recorded, see the gymnastics we discuss, plus get access to all of our exclusive interviews and Behind The Scenes episodes. Here's how to ask questions live.JOIN CLUB GYM NERD World Championships Viewer's Guide Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Liverpool World Championships Men's AA Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's AA Final  Liverpool World Championships Men's Team Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's Team Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's Qual

Liverpool World Championships 2022 Men's All-Around Final Carlos Yulo invented a new skill on vault while Asher Hong did a no-handed giant on high bar. All the details and we answer your questions about women's all around final. LOGIN TO JOIN US LIVE  Club Gym Nerd members can ask questions live, watch the podcast being recorded, see the gymnastics we discuss, plus get access to all of our exclusive interviews and Behind The Scenes episodes. Here's how to ask questions live. LIVERPOOL LIVE SHOW TICKETS ON SALE NOW   JOIN CLUB GYM NERD World Championships Viewer's Guide Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Liverpool World Championships Women's AA Final  Liverpool World Championships Men's Team Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's Team Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's Qua

Liverpool World Championships 2022 Women's All-Around Final Rebeca Andrade (BRA) is finally the world all-around champion! Shilese Jones (USA) and her arabian won silver and for the first time ever, a British gymnast is on the all-around podium, Jessica Gadirova. LOGIN TO JOIN US LIVE  Club Gym Nerd members can ask questions live, watch the podcast being recorded, see the gymnastics we discuss, plus get access to all of our exclusive interviews and Behind The Scenes episodes. Here's how to ask questions live. LIVERPOOL LIVE SHOW TICKETS ON SALE NOW JOIN CLUB GYM NERD World Championships Viewer's Guide Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Liverpool World Championships Women's AA Final  Liverpool World Championships Men's Team Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's Team Final  Liverpoo

Liverpool World Championships 2022 Men's Team Final Did they fix the leak? Why didn't Donnell Whittenburg vault? Did China make a miraculous comeback?   LOGIN TO JOIN US LIVE  Club Gym Nerd members can ask questions live, watch the podcast being recorded, see the gymnastics we discuss, plus get access to all of our exclusive interviews and Behind The Scenes episodes. Here's how to ask questions live. LIVERPOOL LIVE SHOW TICKETS ON SALE NOW JOIN CLUB GYM NERD World Championships Viewer's Guide Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Liverpool World Championships Women's Team Final  Liverpool World Championships Women's Qualifying Day Two Liverpool World Championships Women's Qualifying Day One Liverpool World Championships Podium Training Day Two Liverpool World Championships Podium Trainin

Liverpool World Championships 2022 Women's Team Final The leak on the beam that may or may not have affected the results of the competition. USA won six teams golds in a row (a World record), The British got their highest-ever team medal at Worlds and Canada got their first team medal! Plus the amazing success of Japan and the heartbreak of so many, many falls. Join us live (on this page) at 9:30pm-ish local time to discuss. LOGIN TO JOIN US LIVE  Club Gym Nerd members can ask questions live, watch the podcast being recorded, see the gymnastics we discuss, plus get access to all of our exclusive interviews and Behind The Scenes episodes. Here's how to ask questions live. LIVERPOOL LIVE SHOW TICKETS ON SALE NOW JOIN CLUB GYM NERD World Championships Viewer's Guide Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RE

  Liverpool World Championships 2022 Men's Qualification Day Yet another near death experience on vault today and China maybe have lost an all-around mid-meet. We'll discuss the meet, the standout performances and what you didn't see on the live stream. Join us live at 11:45pm-ish local time. LOGIN TO JOIN US LIVE  LIVERPOOL LIVE SHOW TICKETS ON SALE NOW JOIN CLUB GYM NERD World Championships Viewer's Guide Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Liverpool World Championships Women's Qualifying Day Two Liverpool World Championships Women's Qualifying Day One Liverpool World Championships Podium Training Day Two Liverpool World Championships Podium Training Day One Liverpool World Championships Mega Preview US Women's World Team Trials live from Texas 10th Anniversary Reunion Show Worlds Te