Talk Gymnastics Blog

Louis Smith makes funding plea

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:21:44 GMT

It is always refreshing when a sportsman or woman makes a passionate statement about his or her sport in public. However, when the statement comes in the form of a desperate plea, it unfortunately takes on a rather depressing tone.

Last week, Louis Smith, the British gymnast who was successful in the Beijing Olympic Games earlier this year, begged for an increase in funding for gymnastics to be made prior to the start of the London 2012 Games.

Smith is extremely worried that funding for gymnastics will be cut and the young gymnast believes that such an event will prove detrimental to the success of Team GB in the London Olympics. He revealed that funding cuts may result in the gymnastics team winning “one gold medal every 100 years”. Whilst this may be enough for certain people, individuals such as Smith are striving for greater success.

Smith’s anxious words were echoed by Paul Hall, who currently coaches the young gymnast. Whilst he thinks that the current British gymnastics scene is very healthy, he believes it could improve even more if it had greater financial support.

He feels that we should “coordinate […] and concentrate our resources on the talented athletes” who already exist in the gymnastics scene. Hall exposed the need for better resources and facilities. He currently coaches his young star in a gym which is also home to recreational athletes, small children, and women taking yoga classes.

With such restricted facilities, it is extremely impressive that an Olympic medal was achieved in Beijing. However, imagine what could be achieved if more funding was made available and coaches were provided with the resources needed for sustained success.

Team GB unveil lone trampolinist

Thu, 29 May 2008 23:55:26 BST

Claire Wright has been chosen as Team GB's only trampolinist for the Beijing Olympics. At 28 she has won seven consecutive national titles, and 44 world and European medals. Simon Clegg of Team GB said: "Claire has had an extremely successful trampoline career, so it is fantastic that she can now make the final step up to compete as an Olympian." The sport is a recent addition to the Olympics after the Sydney 2000 games.

Welcome to TalkGymnastics

Thu, 29 May 2008 18:26:48 BST

Welcome to the TalkGymnastics Blog

Here you’ll be able to submit articles to us that you’ve found interesting and think that fellow enthusiasts will enjoy. Just click on the ‘Submit a blog post to us’ link in the top right hand corner and fill out the form and we’ll review it here at TalkOn.it Network.

Also on the TalkGymnastics blog you’ll be able to read blog posts from fans around the world. Here you’ll be able to read and form opinions on what is going on in the world of Gymnastics and enjoy a bit of banter.

You’ll also be able to Sign Up to the forums where you’ll be able to chat about the sport with fellow fans.

We hope you enjoy TalkGymnastics.