Top Ten Things That Should Have Happened in 2007 But Didn’t…
I am spending a few days in Canada for a mini vacation but couldn’t resist bringing the laptop so I could write an end of the year post. I decided to write about the top ten things I think should have happened in 2007 but didn’t. As usual I am focused on the women’s side of the sport. It would be great to hear what you think should be on the men’s list.
Just to clarify…by “should have” I do not mean deserved. I just mean things that I wish had happened but for one reason or another did not. In no particular order…
- Hollie Dykes should have made more of a world impact. I was expecting to see her in the hunt for several medals in Stuttgart but she was nowhere to be found.
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Oksana Chusovitina should have won a medal on the Vault in the Event Finals at the World Championships in Stuttgart. She has medaled in so many world events on the Vaul and it would have been wonderful for her to win one in her new home country.
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Speaking of people that I hoped would win a medal at Worlds… how about Elena Zamolodchikova? She looked so happy and healthy in Stuttgart. She is not usually one of my favorite athletes but she has been hanging in there for so many years and she really looked refreshed and happy in Germany. I wanted to see her on the podium somewhere.
- Florida Women’s Team should have won the NCAA title. I have absolutely nothing against Georgia. I think they are a phenomenal team. But they won the last 2 years and Florida was the favorite heading into the Super 6. It would have been amazing to see the Gators pull through with the title. Maybe next year.
- Ivana Hong should have made the Floor Finals at Worlds. We need to see more floor routines like this. Impeccable presentation.
- A non-US gymnast should have won the Tyson American Cup. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to see an American Cup that is not dominated by US gymnasts.
- Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs should have been healthy and in the Event Finals on Beam in Stuttgart. I’m a big fan of her Beam work and I think that her bronze last year was just the beginning for her. Her aerial to 2 layouts combo is incredible.
- Courtney McCool should have announced her intention to make a run for the 2008 Olympics. She is one of my all-time favorite gymnasts. I would very much enjoy seeing her excel on the world stage once more. Yes, definitely wishful thinking but I can’t help myself.
- Vanessa Ferrari should have caught her Comaneci in the All Around at the World Championships. If she had stayed on the Bars, she would have given Shawn Johnson a real run for her money. That would have been fun to watch.
- I should have been elected as the FIG president… obviously.
So that’s my list. What would be on your list of things you think should have happened in the world of women’s artistic gymnastics in 2007?
December 31st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Here’s one: Shantessa Pama should have made a bigger impact. I want to see her in Beijing.
December 31st, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I think one of the reason’s Ivana’s routine looks good is because she has good choreography… I think the women’s team needs to be put in ballet, ballroom and other dance classes. They need to learn how to better express themselves.
The one thing that I wanted to see with the men is more all-aroundness with competitors
December 31st, 2007 at 8:22 pm
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I agree about Ivana Hong. I don’t know why her scores are always so low. Her execution, form, and technique is heads above the rest, even if her A-scores aren’t as high. UB, I can understand because she has amplitude and endurance issues on that event, but FX? Come on now, her routine is no less difficult than most. She has the same skills but performs them with so much grace.
*is really hoping she makes a big splash in 2008*
January 10th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Just in case you haven’t heard. Hollie Dykes is retiring
January 16th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
This may sound weird, but I’d like to see the average age and the average height of the olympic gymnasts go up in 2008. I wonder if there’s anything that can be done in the code of points that would favor the gymnast with more experience? I’d love to see gymnasts like Courtney Kupets, Ashley Postell, Tabitha Yim, Tasha Schwikert continue to contribute to the sport at the olympic/elite level. I think it’s unfortunate that the peak age for the sport is 16 to 18 and the peak height seems to be under 5 feet tall. What is that about? Is it because injuries force gymnasts to early retirement? Is it because of estrogen causing changes in the bodies (i.e. a woman’s body is not as athletic as a girl’s body)? We don’t see this in women’s basketball or soccer. Why does it have to be that way in gymnastics? Are we putting value on the wrong aspects? Is the sport going to continue to evolve to favor midget, undeveloped, prepubescent females? I guess I would just like to see the sport including people that are more representative of the overall population than a subset of smaller than average, teenage competitors. it would be nice to see veterans that have worked hard and paid their dues be rewarded for their hard work. Or maybe that’s just the way it is in this sport? I wish that my dog was going to live beyond a dog’s life span too, but that’s not the way his genetic code was written. Hmmmmm? food for thought.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Personally, I think that the age requirements are just about right currently. The gymnasts today are infinitely healthier and more mature than back in the 90s and earlier. If you look at the 1992 Olympics, some of those girls were actually frightening-looking in terms of height and weight, with obvious signs of malnutrition and fatigue. Many female gymnasts are now competing elite into their 20s (not to mention Oksana Chusovitina!)
February 20th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I think that Ivana Hong should have made event finals I barely saw any mistakes in the clean, smooth, and flowing routine. Well atleast thats my opinion.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Why does Ivana Hong consistently receive lower scores than what she deserves? Her form is truly impeccable and her consistency is noteworthy. Do you think she stands a chance at making it on the Olympic squad? What events would she compete in?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
only one peeve with Ivana’s presentation…She needs to stike that end pose and count to two.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
uhm its not really to difficult to figure out why top gymnasts are so small.just as in basketball one needs to be tall so in gymnastics one needs to be small to be succesfull. as for gymnasts representing more of the average population, this is a ridiculous question. would you ask that of any other elite athlete in any other sport? shorter basketball players? fatter marathon runners? skinnier sumo wrestlers? every sport needs a certain body type to be succesful and ones that cannot achieve the right body type are usually not as good.
July 26th, 2008 at 8:18 am
the sad thign is gykes quit after worlds.
January 17th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
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