Reinventors of the Sport: Svetlana Khorkina

   On my new segment: Reinventors of the sport, I like to talk about people who have changed the sport for the better. This time, we will be talking about Svetlana Khorkina. Svetlana reinvented the sport with her artistry, her lines, and her beauty. Svetlana proved that a gymnast does not have to be tiny, lithe, petite, or short to be the best gymnast. She just has to have endurance, faith, hope, and strength. At 5'5, and growing, she shocked the world when she won multiple world championships, and placed second in the Olympics, second only to Patterson, in 2004. Svetlana is solid on all four events, and was portrayed as one of the best gymnasts in the world. I loved watching videos of this amazing girl, doing what she loves. Svetlana, of Russia, forever will be an gymnastics star, a gymnastics idol, a gymnastics trailblazer, and a gymnastics re-inventor.

Alicia Sacramone: Leaving The Scene

  Alicia Sacramone.......2008 Olympian, 2011 Worlds Team Member (Had to leave Tokyo because of ACL Tear) and 2012 Trials Trier. Alicia was amazing, sure she fell off the beam on her front tuck mount, but that happens! Ever since then, Alicia has been training, training, training in the gym. Alicia then came back to the sport at the US Classic in 2011, the first step-ladder rung for the World Championship Team, she then moved onto the Visa Nationals, where unfortunately, she had a fall on floor, following it up my some issues on beam. But, it happens, as we saw in the Nationals, Alicia was not the only one who had mistakes, especially after Bross's injury, which had a negative effect on everyone, especially Alicia and Aly, who were both beside Bross when she was competing in 2010. So, it had a negative impact on these two girls, and other girls who were competing aside Bross, and who were close, like other gymnasts, but also, Bross's injury effected the younger gymnasts, like Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber. So, Alicia had a nervy Nationals, but made it to the team, mainly because of the circumstances she was under, and the experience she had. But, after she didn't make the Olympic Team, she saw no reason to continue, and is now married to Brady Quinn, a quarterback. Also, Alicia posed for body issue, naked. Her reasoning for this was "It's a huge honor and a cool opportunity. I wanted to show that you don't need to be 13 or 14 years old to be a gymnast. You can be older and still have good resIt's a huge honor and a cool opportunity. I wanted to show that you don't need to be 13 or 14 years old to be a gymnast. You can be older and still have good results.

When I first got the offer I was a little nervous. But then I thought, "You've worn a leotard in front of a billion people; this isn't that different." Plus, I work out really hard and I'm proud of my body. 

   But, Alicia has not given up performing as a gymnast completely, she has competed in the 2013 Pro Gymnastics Challenge, and is expected to compete again in the 2014 Pro Gymnastics Challenge, later this year. I am looking forward to see Alicia, the old Alicia

Lauren Mitchell: Why She was the Australian Leader

   Out of the five gymnasts on team Australia, some gymnastics fans often ask: Why Lauren Mitchell? Why not Georgia Bonora? Why not Emily Little? Well, let me tell you. This was because that Lauren was the only gymnast in Australian gymnastics history to even medal in the World Championships, in 2010, she won a gold medal on floor! And, who would want to put a gymnast as a team leader who hasn't won any gold at all? Or even any medals. Mitchell is exceptional. Some of the Australian Gymnasts who were on the Olympic Team, had never been on the international stage before, Lauren has been on the 2008 team, which gives her experience. I hope that answered your questions gymnastics fans, the question why Lauren Mitchell was the team captain

Team Australia: Dreams of Team Finals decimated

  So, in 2012, the Australians tried hard to get into the team final, and failed, in 2012. I was so sad when Italy got in over them! In my opinion, I thought Australia was better than Italy, and could have placed higher than they did. So, I was devastated. But, in 2016, I expect them to make it over Italy, just for the sake of redemption. I believe that the Australian gymnasts are strong, motivated, and smart enough to slip into the team final, like they did in 2008, I do not believe they can medal, but I bet, if they make it to the team final, they can place in 4th, 5th place. Go Australia! You can do this!

Team China vs. Team Romania

So, as we all know, in 2012, team Romania beat China for team bronze. And the Chinese gymnasts and coaches were none to happy. They had won gold in Beijing, a home game, but in London, they were not as lucky. The Chinese wanted more than anything to defend the gold, but when that chance slipped out of their grasp, they figured: Why not silver? But then Russia took their spot. So their only hope for medal, was bronze. But then, at a surprising last two rotations, Romania snatched the medal, because floor and vault were two of their best events, but China was not good at vault or floor exercise, so, thats how the Romanians took the bronze. To place fourth in gymnastics, is devastating. Just out of the medals. And the Chinese had to deal with it, but in Brazil, I expect them to come out, and be in contention for medals. Also, I expect the Romanians to defend their medal titles, and try to make it 11 medals straight. So, let the war between Team China and Team Romania Begin!

Team Romania: A Steady Team.

Romania has one of the strongest women's gymnastics team in the world, this is evident for three reasons: They have been in the medals at the past ten Olympic Games, which, by itself, is amazing. In 2000 and 2004, they won the team all-around! Wow! But, there has been a drought for gold since then, but still, getting gold twice is not bad. And they have great athletes, Simona Amanar (Notice the last name? Thats right, this is the girl who first did the Amanar), Catalina Ponor, and most importantly, Nadia Comeneci, all-around champ. They bred some great gymnasts, and are in the process of breeding more. I am excited to see the up-and-coming seniors who are going to represent Romania at Worlds, International, and Olympic Meets. The only thing I would recommend is that they breed some bar workers, because Romania needs them if they want to get silver, or even gold. But, Olympic Bronze, not to shabby. And the greatest thing about their bronze in 2012? They beat 2008 Team Champions, Team China. To beat China is an amazing thing, because, the Chinese have grace and elegance, and are really good at bars and beam. But, they did beat them, and I hope to see Romania beat China at Worlds, and hopefully, the Olympic Games!

Team Brazil: A Home Game

   Well, in 2016: A New Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. For Brazil, this will be a home game for them, they are hosting the Olympic Games. I think that the Brazilian Olympic Selection team will have to spend the next two years forming the team if they want their team to place in the Finals like Team GB did in London. Also, the gymnasts who are selected need to start going bigger on their routines, like training at least a double twisting Yurchenko, and a triple twist combo on Floor. I have been watching Brazilian gymnastics, and I personally think that they can raise the DODs of every routine. I think that the Brazilian gymnasts play it safe, which is why they didn't qualify into London's team finals, and Italy did. So, if they want to qualify into the team finals on their home turf, they gotta pick up their game!