USA Gymnastics: then vs now
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- Today I talk about the differences of USA Gymnastics in the Marta Karolyi era vs now with all of the changes. The biggest change that affects us athletes is how national team training camps are run and the atmosphere around them, which I dive in to!
I am a former NCAA athlete and have deferred my senior year to come back to elite gymnastics and try for a spot on the 2020 Olympic Team. This channel will document my journey and give you all insight into the life of someone preparing for the Olympics! Please leave a comment below and tell me what you want to see most. I only make videos that have been requested first :)
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That thing about restricting athlete's food is disturbing to me. I was a swimmer, not a gymnast, but we were always bringing bagels to swim meets, and going to IHOP as a team to eat after practice. Never had any negative effects. Athletes are machines, they need the extra calories to perform
ThatOneGirl Swimming is different than gymnastics, though. Swimming is about endurance, so a high-calorie, high-carb diet is what you need. Gymnasts need the exact opposite.
@@Zagarspupil these girls are still athletes though. And from the looks of it they're still expending exorbitant amounts of calories during practice. They spend several hours in the gym every day. You've got to have a certain level of endurance to do that. And a low calorie diet doesn't work for that. They need to eat the amount of calories it takes to maintain their weight and muscle mass.
Kolbe what are you talking about!? Gymnasts need tons of fuel and calories. I worked out 6 hours a day when I was a gymnast.
@@justalilsparkle7873 that's exactly the point I was trying to make....
ThatOneGirl sorry I meant at kolbe
The more I hear about the ranch the more I just feel so bad for all of you girls. It just doesn't sound right. I'm glad you were able to get back into elite and everything is going well!
The fact the MyKayla freaking Skinner, one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, believes that eating Gushers once in a while isn’t bad PROVES that not being restrictive in your eating is beneficial to your athletic and mental performance.
Ha ha, yes.
Now I kind of understand why Nastia waited so long to go back to training for 2012. All those stuffs requires great courage to face
yup, and once you get out, you probably realize more how awful it was.
*Some questions for the Q&A:*
1. What kind of injuries have you experienced or witnessed in your gymnastics career? Any tips for getting through the recovery process?
2. What were the most difficult skills on each apparatus for you to learn/master?
3. What are your favorite skills (or series) on each apparatus?
4. If you had to rank them, what are your favorite to least favorite apparatus?
5. Could you see yourself still competing in your 40s like Oksana Chusovitina? Where do you see yourself going with your gymnastics after Tokyo and college?
6. Would you ever consider taking up another acrobatic art like aerial silks, flying trapeze, cheerleading, parkour, slacklining, etc...?
7. Have you experienced any mental blocks? What skills did you have the worst mental blocks on, and do you have any advice for getting past them?
8. What are your favorite men's events to watch?
9. Do you have any dream skills that you would love to learn or perform some day?
10. Can you tell us a little about your gymnastics journey? How old were you when you started? When did you first begin competing? How did you progress through the levels? Did you skip any? Repeat any?
Thanks for the great videos so far! I'm excited to see more! I'm so glad that some real changes are being made in this sport, and that you as a gymnast, feel like things are improving! Wishing all the best for you!
These are all amazing questions 👏🏻👏🏻
That’s crazy that you guys would basically starve and be scared to eat even fruit! This is why so many athletes and especially female athletes develop eating disorders/a bad relationship with food. I’m glad it’s better now!
Not to mention injuries!
That is why so many got gold medal
I'm a gymnasts and I eat food all day long and I don't gain weight so idk
Diba B. No it is not. Starving makes athletes worse; your body NEEDS fuel to be able to compete.
right? I can't even believe the paternalism!!! Uncalled for....
The ranch was horrible. The culture was so toxic. I am glad it is different now.
Even though they did get the most out of the gymnasts, at some point it's going too far. Plus the gymnasts were so great, it's not like relaxing things some would have been a big risk at not getting golds.
Were you there?
HenryDavidT you get to see a little bit of Chow's techniques in the documentary All Around. It follows Chen Yile. In one episode it showed the Chinese girls playing fun games in the gym and they were all laughing and having fun, which was great to see.
@Heather McCuskey the girls had to understand that they were disposable and mistakes were not tolerated. Fear was a huge part of their training program. That was how Marta knew how to coach. Since it worked so well, the rest followed suit. Not always the best way to run a training camp.
The future is this...the US will start weeding out those who can't self-motivate or it will start to scratch in this event in terms of medal contention via team. There is a reason the U.S. can't finesse a strong men's G team.
When I saw the pizza I was like, "Marta would roll over in her grave...if she were dead." I'm so glad to see you guys get to eat. It is so healthy for you psychologically to be able to eat a piece of pizza occasionally. I remember when Gabby Douglas said she hadn't had a burger in years, before the 2012 Olympics. It didn't seem right.
For the amount of energy they are burning they need to be eating! I've never been in a gym but I've watched gymnastics my whole life and now that you see female gymnast not being shunned for having muscles, the level of their skills are through the roof. Why would you want your team to be starving for a look? I would imagine it would just set them up for injuries and illness.
Trisha M. -Not that it makes it right, but Bela and Marta came from Romania, where the body type is much different to American females due to the available diet.
They taught what they knew. They had only lived in a totalitarian regime and then a hard and cruel dictatorship, which was basically a personality cult, for all their lives before coming to the US. When they trained in Romania, their gymnasts expected a harsh and intense training system where perfection was just tolerated and imperfection was to be squashed or discarded and control of the athletes was systematic and complete. Mentally and physically. .
When they brought their system to the US, they again worked it over the years where they had complete control over the most important athletes. Parental visits were limited to once a month, complaints were not tolerated and fear of Marta and her top staff was the expected norm. It produced spectacular results and almost no one was willing to mess with success. The girls knew they were expendable and making a mistake meant invisibility until you were lucky enough to became valuable again. It didn’t always happen.
I’m sure Marta and Co. thought they were untouchable and could do as they pleased. When you are at that level of recognition, it’s hard to think anything can bring you down. I’m sure on some level they knew they were doing wrong, but I don’t think they cared at that point.
Now, their sport has abandoned them and the sale of their ranch is a distant dream. They are synonymous with cruelty, abuse and allowing sexual assault and are considered pariahs.
Karma is a b**ch with a long memory. .
@@maureenkelly738 I agree with you 100% on all your observations. Most people don't think of the money Involved either. The gymnasts were expendable, gold medals weren't . Winning medals brought in more students to the gyms =more money. Your gym produces a medal winner and your gym us full. Also the USGF is now worth over 100 million dollars (according to the 2019 tax returns) the gymnasts were/are little money making machines.
I used to be sad that I never got to experience camp at the ranch but now I'm so happy I missed that. I loved camps at flipfest and love the camps in indy even more! And I agree, the food at camp in indy is super yummy! Good luck Myk! I look up to you so much!
When I was younger I used to go to gymnastics camp at the ranch. I have many good memories from there with my team so it's so crazy to hear how things actually went down there knowing that bad things happened to so many girls there.
Lily Pederson Lily saw you at Hopes last year !! You are awesome!! Keep up the hard work. I know you will be a top contender in the future!!! 😎🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️
@@cassandrairene155 thank you! I qualified junior elite this year. Hoping to be at US championships in june!!
keep in mind she was at elite camp there, the regular camp was a blast! coaches from around the world, many new friends, and new skills. I will never forget my time there, and I'm very sad it's closed
@@LilyPederson I did camp at the ranch one year and that was it. I did 2 weeks there and I enjoyed the experience as a gymnast, but the atmosphere was horrible in my opinion. This was when the Karolyi’s were coaches still. I wound up switching to Woodward in PA and roomed with some of the girls from CGA and those 2 weeks were the most fun the year that happened and I’m still in touch with some of the girls.
The story about Ally is actually so sad. Being afraid even to get a piece of fruit? Even the gym she used to go to in junior elite is extremely strict and has lots of even seemingly abusive coaching.
Yeah. I read one of Ally and she is retired last year.
The ranch ruined my elite gymnastics career. The under eating combined with extreme training made it so easy to get injured. I’m glad it’s changed so much but it’s horrible that it took USAG falling apart for young athletes to be treated decently.
Oh wow, you did elite. Do you still do it now?
I'm currently 144 and I still go to the ranch to train
Gemma Merritt the ranch is closed...
Now 145 I am disconnected to the world in its true state, I still sneak in every once in a while
Gemma Merritt sneak in? Are you joking or serious? And my apologies for not understanding but what do you mean by ‘144’ and ‘145?’
Here after watching Athlete A on Netflix. It is so sad what these girls had to endure for all those years. I am just so happy the conditions are better now, you girls deserve it!!!!
Allie Marie I know !! It’s horrible. I’m so glad things have changed 🥺
It sounds like The Ranch was toxic! One thing I have definitely noticed after the Karolyi era is that yall actually post about gymnastics and show training videos on social media. Yall work and train so damn hard, you should be able to eat what you want and not be scared of it. I am so glad that everything has changed for the better. I love seeing everyone actually enjoying gymnastics like you are supposed too!
Bela's girls were really strong, positive, vibrant, people who contribute a lot to the sport. They are not destroyed women" as you so insultingly put it. The USAG is/was responsible for how gyms & athletes were treated. After the sexual abuse scandals the government established some much needed standards for the protection of young athletes. If you truly want to protect them don't put them in sports. Women's sports is coming to an end. Things will change drastically with, the rise of trans athletes now competing in women's sports, they are mutants & will be dominant driving biological women from the sport here in America.
All the gymnasts who made it through Marta deserve a medal
Thank you for sharing. It's heartbreaking to hear the things all of you young women had to endure under the Karolyi era. I'm so glad things have gotten better for all of the gymnasts. Wishing you the best in your journey for Tokyo!
When I was little, I dreamed of training at the ranch
It blows my mind how horrible it was there. All the gymnasts were forced to stay quiet for years
Thank you for speaking out
Same.
It’s terrible that all these amazing, talented young women were treated so poorly. The coaches put so much pressure on them to be perfect, all at the same time that they were destroying the girls. I’m glad that the issues in USAG were brought to light. I am so happy that things have changed for the better.
I love that you've had the chance to experience the "old" & "new" USA Gymnastics, & that you're now sharing that with others. It makes me sad that so many other gymnasts only know the way it was, & don't have such good memories. I wish they could all see how things have changed, & are continuing to change for the better. May we always move forward, & while we can look back, never go back.
It’s so sad that children were starved and had their bags checked for food there. So glad they’re moving on from this and that they get to stay at hotels and have less intense camps and have healthy square meals.
If you listen it was their personal coaches checking their bags. The majority of responsibility fell to the personal coaches.
JoJo x - I got the impression that the personal coaches wanted to please the people at the top which meant total control over their athletes. That meant body shaming from the coaches and having the athletes expect that they would not be allowed to eat in order to have the perfect lean athlete body a la Nastia. That’s what I picked up. Having never been at the Camp I cannot be certain though. MyKala did say “With Marta, we would never be able to have that” when talking about French fries after winning a gold medal.
Its sad that gymnasts like shawn Johnson and nastia didn't get to experience the good stuff, too.
@@maureenkelly738 there some good bibliography of usa gymnast at various past Olympics. Many dropped 10-20 lbs while training at the Olympics as bags were checked. Larry and some others would sneak them food
That is horrible
Love that you shared this. As an early 90s gymnast, I can remember my coaches being overly concerned about what I ate to the point where I also felt nervous and intimidated. I feel like now I overindulge because I wasn’t allowed to have certain things for such a long time. I’m glad you shined a light on this and that things are moving in a positive direction. It gives me hope as a former gymnast turned classroom teacher turned coach. 💕
Questions for Q&A: How do you feel about the new USAG CEO? The settlement they offered survivors recently? Do you feel safe in the current environment? What advice would you give to older gymnasts (20s)? Have you ever needed surgery? Recovery or how you stay injury free? How to have more confidence? The hardest part of being a college and elite gymnast? How do you feel when fans come up to you? Thanks Myk! I love your videos
I had the feeling Marta didn’t care for some of the gymnasts 🤸♀️... Love your persistence, nice eye brows, Camp is Fun now, Great! Best wishes for Tokyo 💕
I'm 55 years old and was a gymnast until I was 17! I have no question, just a comment! I was thrilled you came back after being an alternate in 2016! You made it! You're an inspiration to all the girls that get overlooked! You have shown great character and inspired a whole generation to never give up on your dream! Best of luck in Tokyo! God bless💗💗💗
I admire your courage to be so honest about your experiences. You have so much to bring to the USA team and I have really enjoyed watching all of your videos. I saw you at a Pac12 meet and was so impressed that I immediately started following your gymnastics more closely. I was thrilled to see you on the W. team. You are a gifted athlete with a stellar attitude. I really want to see you on the team next year, keep working and I will keep watching! Stay healthy!
These stories make me so happy. I'll never forget, it was my sophomore year at Illinois and most of my collegiate teammates were ex-elites or they had National or World Champions that were friends or at the very least teammates back home at their gym. I wont say any names, but I remember right after worlds 2010, one of the girls who was on that WORLDS team came to school to see her old teammate and friend and celebrate a little after worlds! Somehow they got on the subject of exactly this... the food, how camp was, how strict their diet was.... and we were all fairly small girls, Illinois was a GREAT school (2009/2010) for gymnastics and my teammates were top athletes, I was around 98/100 ish pounds and all muscle.... the reason the story got brought up cause I had asked where (SAID GIRL) was and they were telling me that she was eating cause she was STARVING from eating very little during worlds.... LONG story short... I remember when she finally got up to the dorm, I opened my door and I was seriously shocked at how petite and how little her waist was. I thought me and my fellow 5'0 teammates were about as slim and petite as you could get, but it was a whole different level to be a gymnast for USAG under the KAROLYIs.
What were you studying in college and what would you like to do when you’re older and what does Jonah do?
I am so, so glad you and all of your teammates now have a voice and the freedom to speak it without repercussions. You’re all heroes xo
First, to comment on ur video, I’m so very happy, as well, to hear that things in the gymnastics community are improving. Second, I’ve been wanting to say how proud we are to have you represent USA in the most difficult sport out there. The dedication you display is incredible! But I would also like to remind you to just have fun doing what you obviously love. We will support you no matter what the outcome. Besides us being so proud of you, you should also be extremely proud of yourself! You have accomplished so much at such a young age & it’s absolutely astonishing! It’s girls like you that I show my 5 year old daughter what is actually possible! You ARE an inspiration & you should definitely know that. You are a beautiful gymnast inside & out. Good luck to you this season & we can’t wait to see you preform. 😉
Just watched a documentary on what these young ladies have had to go through. Especially with the food issues. I was not an athlete like them but I did serve in the US Army active duty for 6 years and I had a similar thing with food, especially after having two kids and still serving in the military. Weigh-in's and constant comments and having to stay a certain weight. I understand about being fit but not to these extreme measures. So happy that the organization is moving in the right direction! I was hoping you would medal during these Olympics and I was so excited to watch you win bronze! I actually got up at 3 am to watch the event live and I don't even know you personally! lol, great job girlie! GO TEAM USA!
Q and A questions- 1.What's your favourite thing to do at practice?
2. What does a usual practice look like for you?
3. How many leos do you have?
4. What is your favourite training leo?
5. Can you rank the events in order of favourite to ur least favourite?
🤸♀️ Love your channel so flipping much! 🤸♀️
when you went to worlds in 2014/2015/2019 did you make friends with any of the gymnasts from other countries? do you have any funny stories/interactions if you did? these videos are great, rooting for you to be in Tokyo!
You and Shawn Johnson are my 2 favorite gymnasts of all time. Its amazing to me all that you go through in your sport, but man your talent is amazing!!
Thank you, Mykayla, for sharing this. We've heard most of it before, but the fact that a current elite would have the courage to do that is very commandable. So truly, thank you so much. Your added voice matters A LOT.
Thanks so much for sharing! For your Q&A with Jonah: Is it strange to be on a team with so many younger girls when you're at a different stage of your life (married!)? Does Jonah know much about gymnastics? Have USAG/your coaches been supportive of you being in a serious relationship--I know some gyms don't even let girls date! I love having full-grown adults continuing to compete and getting even better with in their 20s--good luck!!
Very interesting to listen to your past and current experiences. I’m so glad that the elites can have their own autonomy and respect. Thanks for sharing.
Omg.. I remember going to my first developmental camp at karolyi's. You described the bunks perfectly lol. I felt the training anxiety come back as you were talking. Ughhh. So happy things are better now!
Ms. skinner, I’m so proud of all the grace and integrity you exhibited in the Olympic arena and your support of all the team. Congratulations on all your future activities.
As a gymnastics coach and a mom, it makes me so happy to hear about these changes! Thank you for sharing with us MyKayla! A question I have is - are you trying for an all around spot or an event specialist for Tokyo?💗Julie
Lisa sounds like such an amazing coach!!! You are so blessed to have had her. And she seems so so sweet in all of your training videos
The thing you said about your living conditions at the ranch, about the bugs and moldy showers, really got to me bc I have a deformation in my spine and I was a national level athlete in skiing (I retired due to a recurring knee injury) and whenever we used to go to train in the glacier in the summer and fall until the beginning of the season we always used to stay in these super horrible places with flies and mold. But the worst thing for me was the beds, I couldn’t sleep all night and we used to go there for either a week or two weeks. And I remember being so exhausted during training and being so scared to bring like an extra pillow or and roller for my back bc they would check our rooms and if you had “something you weren’t supposed to” you would get yelled at by the coaches in front of everyone else (other athletes, other coaches etc) and then you would get bullied by the older kids for being weak or a crybaby. I still love that sport so much but when you are btw 6 and 16 that really kills any confidence you might have in yourself
You're so awesome, MyKayla
I honor you and the other gymnasts for being brave to speak up about how unhealthy the past organization was. The present really did a great job in listening to these voices and continue to change for the best.
Anyway, here is my entry for the Q&A
1. How hard is it to transition from elite to collegiate then to elite again?
2. If you are not a gymnast, what sport/extracurricular activities do you think you will be into?
3. How is it to be an Olympic Alternate?
Incredible that it took so long for these changes to come and so many amazing female athletes had to suffer like this but thank god it's finally been recognised! How brilliant that you get to experience both sides and thank you for sharing! Would love to hear more about the Olympic selection process in 2016 and how that's prepared you for 2020!
Good luck Mykayla I hope that your on the Olympic team you truly deserve to go that's for sure. I'll be cheering you on. Keep up the good work.
So happy for you. Gymnastics is the worlds most demanding sport already. There is no reason to work so hard just to be treated miserably. God bless you. I am praying for your success in making the Olympic team. I am a devoted fan and I love to see hard work and dedication rewarded. It’s going to be a tough team to make, but you, Simone and Morgan have trained so hard for this goal. I wish the selection committee would look at the body of work and not just the trials in choosing the team. Good luck and keep at it. You have a lot of devoted supporters who adore you and believe in you!
I'm so happy USA Gymnastics is creating a better, happier, healthier environment for our athletes. You all deserve the best environment to be successful!
Questions for q and a:
- If you could go back and re-live any moment of your gymnastics career, what moment and why?
- Do you have to follow any strict diet?
- What is your favorite college gymnastics team other than Utah?
- What do you plan on doing after the Olympics? Are you going to go back to Utah for your senior year after the Olympics?
You are such an inspiration to so many people. I wish you all the best!!
Love ya Makayla💕. Just wanted to say I’m really happy you started a RUclips channel and I can’t wait to see you in Tokyo 😉!!!
Questions for the Q&A:
-Have you ever dreamed to do other sports than gymnastics ? (Or in what other sports are you good at ?)
-You have obviously traveled a lot due to competitons, what was your favorite country ?
-And last question, have you ever shit on yourself during a routine ? (it has happened to me a lots of time)
Thanks Mykyla i'm a big fan and you're a big inspiration to me ! Karl from France ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for making this video, and giving me some insight on the comparisons between before the unbelievable and now. So glad that the incredible athletes that you are, are being treated well, it just about broke my heart to know that you guys were suffering, unnecessarily while trying to live your dreams, and the the story about Ali R afraid to get fruit, sad. I was a gymnast for 6 years, over 40 years ago. Great job on this video. well done!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I think all fans are sorry that you all had to go through all that and hope that things continue to get better with the US system.
So glad someone finally made a video about the changes and how in someways it’s not bad at all. While the intensity seems like it could work it’s still so obvious that the talent still exist without that.
Gymnasts who competed under the child-abusing Karolyis succeeded DESPITE the Karolyis, not BECAUSE of them.
You are ignorant and full of shit. You have no idea what gymnastics will be without the Karolys. I believe the USA will only get a silver or bronze.
@@rickcaruso7351 My gut believes you, my heart prays it can survive without it.
They succeeded BECAUSE OF THE Karolyli's. The U.S.A gymnastics program was no where pre-Korolylis. They put a Romania at the top of the gymnastics world too. Your hypocritical judgmental butt hasn't done anything but offer criticism. You haven't studied the science of motion and sport. Larry Nassar didn't work for the Karolyli's just so that you know. What are you qualified to do? Talk is cheap. Make yourself available to build a program rather than stuffing your face.
@@rickcaruso7351 Why do you think they can't take gold though? They've won Team gold at the last two world championships without the Karolyis. They've been throwing huge numbers so far this year. Seems like they've got a good shot at Olympic gold.
@@CaseyBlizzard They'll win gold because of Simone. Without Simone our team would not be a lock BY ANY MEANS. The Karolyis were too punitive and ridiculously harsh. Now things are undoubtedly not strict enough. Too bad they couldn't find a happier medium. Gravity doesn't care about your feelings, or body positivity nonsense.
I coach compulsory 3s and 4s at TGC and it has been so exciting that y’all get to call Indy and TGC your new home. It’s so great to hear you all are happy there!
you girls were so strong and worked so hard, you all should be proud. Its sad that everyone who was in that toxic environment still deals with anxieties and ptsd today, like how u said u get anxious when u get to eat the food u want :(. You all deserve love and support
Mykayla thank you for sharing this! I am so, so glad that it's better. I am horrified about what the Karolyis and USAG did in those former years. The fact that you all were shamed for eating fruit is abuse. All of that shame and brainwashing is why things got so bad to begin with. You are strong, beautiful, and such a good representation of the new era of gymnastics. I really support you and cannot wait to see you in Tokyo. I'm rooting for you!!
Awesome video glad things are so much better for USA gymnastics and I live close to Indianapolis
So happy that it is so much of a better enviornment for you and future gymnasts. Wish you all the luck for the upcoming months!
It is awesome to hear that camps changed in a positiv way. My question for the q&a: what is in your gym bag?
I love your videos, it's so nie getting to see you and your lovely personality, not just what NBC decides to broadcast!
For your Q and A, I'd love to know what a typical day/week for a college gymnast is, on and off season? I live in Ireland and we don't have any college gymnastics here, and i'm so interested in it!
Such an inspiration!! Knowing fellow gymnasts treat their selves makes me feel like I can, thank you for that
It’s good to hear about the new changes and see your smiling faces. Thank you for sharing!
Can you share some story’s from the Olympic trials?
Grace Laflure2 did she make it to the olympics in 2016 rio?
@@randomtime6308 she was alternate that year.
I have two questions for your Q&A video!! Who are you closest with from elite? Do you talk to anyone who have stopped elite like Kyla, Maddie, Ragan, and Maggie?
What is it also like to be competing for college but now against some of the gymnasts you were on the national team with (like the above, Kyla, Maddie, etc)? Do you guys hang out when you see each other at meets now (like Nationals etc)? What was it like when you saw Elizabeth Price win her national title on bars especially since she was doing her rotations with Utah at the time?
So glad to hear the environment is better. You girls work so hard. Keep shinning MyKayla😊💜.
I love that you’re chronicling your journey and inviting us in. I’m so rooting for you and can’t wait for the Olympic Games. 🤸🏅
Thank you for sharing this. I think it is so important to hear feedback from someone who went through both eras.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I remember going to the ranch when I was young and even though a lot of it is a blur I remember being a nervous wreck. I am so happy it was shutdown and everything is looking up for you and USA Gymnastics. Good luck in this new chapter (:
As a gymnast I look up to you and I think it is so inspiring that you always keep going
So nice to hear how things are much better! More people and potential sponsers should see your video!
That was so interesting, and I’m relieved to hear that the camps have improved so much. Your hair looks great too. Wishing you all the best.
Rooting for you from France ! Hope you’ll make it to Tokyo !
Poor aly she’s been through so much
I know you said that USAG covers the basic fees, but where do you get the money for food and your house, and all the general stuff? Also, what is your favorite event and why? Good Luck to Tokyo!
I love you so much and for the Q&A one question is “Has being Mormon ever effected your gymnastics career?”
MyKayla, what ever happened to the full twisting layout step out on beam from a few years ago? You should debut it this year!
I’m happy to hear this news! Cheers for the changes!
It's good to hear about all the positive changes!!
Thank you for sharing. Frustrating to hear about how awful it was, but glad things are coming to light. It is certainly a good sign that folks feel empowered to speak up now.
Hey Mykayla, a question for the Q&A:
As a former NCAA swimmer, I saw a great deal of pressure placed on body image. Did you ever experience any coaches or other people in "power positions" in either the elite or NCAA worlds who had unfair expectations of body image? If so, how did you cope with it?
My heart breaks for Aly Raisman. Her impact statement is to this day one of the hardest things to watch. I know she still very much so calls out the current USAG and USOC. Seems like she doesn’t think it’s different enough. Simone Biles’ current struggles leave me inclined to believe Aly-not much has really changed at all. I wonder how two people familiar with the program can see so differently.
I honestly think that even if its not that different. It's starting to change. Dominique moceanu (I'm sorry if I butchered her name) said something about it on Twitter. At least Simone had the choice and choose her health. In Dominiques time competing with a broken foot was your only choice. Things are changing and I m so glad they are. It started with Simone. but it's harder to change an entire system. A lot of people sided with Simone but a lot of people Called her weak and a quitter. The same people, I imagine, that celebrated Kerri's harrowing one legged harrowing vault.
Not much has changed at all because it's not just the ranch, the karolyis, the abuse, Larry ... It's about EVERYONE understanding that medals are not worth the pain and utter suffering. And that's a very long way to go.
great content, love how open and honest you are about USAG.
I'm so glad the old toxic culture of Gymnastics is dying, I strive to be a part of a new healthier and more sustainable culture. Lots of coaches still cling to that old toxic culture and I just want them to let it go so bad, results at the cost of the athletes mental health and saftey are not the results we want. We want results with healthy gymnasts.
Because it's so different now, is the pressure to succeed still there? Like a need to prove this new healthier way to train is the right way? Like what if there isn't as much success as before? I still think usa will top everything, I'm just wondering about the mental preparedness for the pressure of the Olympics, and if that is being " trained" as well
Success is linked to the gymnastics program prior to elite , the training and clubs and early levels are more advanced than any country, i believe the depth and superiority is what sets them apart, the ranch’s shitty atmosphere of starvation,isloation from families and civilization is disgusting and only did more harm to many gymnasts like mattie larson and mckayla maroney along with hundreds of athletes, now they will feel calmer, dont underestimate how mental health affect performance, the depth and talent is still there because that is all based on the athletes even before elite, but i think it will become more dominant now because they are not being controlled and actually loving their sport
@@kevinsam3078 I may misunderstand you but you seem to think I liked these old way at the ranch better, which is definitely not the case at all, I was just wondering as about the change in pressure to succeed
@@mm4chelle I think this will have nothing but a positive effect. When people are scared to make mistakes is when they tend to overthink and start making them. If athletes are training in a positive, non-fear driving environment I think they will be more likely to succeed.
Can you explain us ( abroad followers) how work gymnastic in USA ? I mean the prices, competition, schedule with school... it could be really interesting for us 😊
Prices: very expensive. Lots of insurance concerns, and unlike almost everywhere else Olympic sports don't get much in the way of government subsidies for training expenses in the US (and NCAA rules as they currently stand would get in the way of accepting a lot of that anyway). Even a one hour per week rec class will run you $60-80/month at most gyms, and by the time you're in full time training for an advanced level, the amount you pay out in tuition alone is likely north of $10,000 a year. Some gyms do have scholarships or make work-study type arrangements to allow talented but disadvantaged athletes to train, but it's not a cheap sport.
Competition: In the US on the main track there are 10 JO levels, HOPES (which is a pre-elite program for young standouts), and then elite. Levels 1-5 are compulsory routines - written by the national committee, everyone does basically the same thing and they only change once every eight years. However L1 and 2 aren't really intended for competition use - more for pre-team preparation in gyms - and most gymnasts do their first sanctioned competition at L3 or 4. 6 - 10 are optional levels, where the gymnast and her coach make custom routines built around her specific skill set (with some basic broad requirements at each level about what has to be in every routine, eg. a full turn on floor or a dismount with a salto from bars). 6 is not required as it's basically an optional version of 5 (all level 5 routines would start from a 10 in level 6 except vault) and many gymnasts on the elite track skip straight from 5 to 7. The rules for Level 10 are similar to those used for NCAA competition. There is variation nationally, but where I'm from (TX) compulsory season is in the fall and optional season is in the spring. Compulsory season ends at state championships, low optionals have a regional championship, level 9 has eastern and western nationals, and level 10 has a full national championship. HOPES is a middle ground between JO and elite - it has open ended scoring more like elite but composition requirements are more in line with the capability of an L10 gymnast. There are only a couple of HOPES competitions per year and most gymnasts do it alongside their regular JO seasons. Elite season is year round with the most important competitions generally being April - October; however most US elites will only go to Classic, Nationals, World/Olympic Trials and two or three international assignments in a given year, if that much. Some supplement by competing in the "open" division at JO competitions that offer one, but for many gymnasts the verification camp schedule is already enough to deal with.
As for working around school, that depends on the gym. Even these days many elites still do 30hr a week and depending on when the gym sets that training, it may mean having to do homeschool/correspondence or a partial day. Some gyms have private tutors in residence at the gym (such as WCC, Simone's gym); some have a symbiotic relationship with a local private school (such as how WOGA cooperates with Spring Creek Academy or Karolyi's worked with Northland Christian). And there are some that intentionally limit training hours and encourage gymnasts to stay in public school - Chow's is a famous example of this. No matter what the situation is, though, gymnasts have to be very good at time management to stay on top of their studies!
You girls look so much healthier! And not as frightened and tense. And your achievements aren’t any less. I see a lot less bandages and tape on your limbs, however!
Sure make sure the team has some really big gymnasts included if not its discrimination and the sport should be sued. Weight has nothing to do with gymnastics or building muscle needed to perform skills. Skinner should've put on 40 extra pounds. Time to include taller and normal sized gymnasts and not short people.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was eye-opening to hear what you had to go through in elite gymnastics. So happy things are turning around, and that you have a more positive, supportive training environment now.
Question for the Q&A: Who has been your biggest role model in Gymnastics and why?
A bit for Q & A:
-What are your future plans?? Like, what would you like to dedicate your life to after Tokyo, college, marriage, etc.
-What are your expectations for this year, gymnastics-wise?
-Who do you admire, or did you admire when you were little??
-How did you enroll in gymnastics?
-Can you talk a little bit about your family?
-When did you discover you were good at gymnastics?
AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: HOW DID YOU MEET JONAS? What do you like most about him???
I have been watching you for well over a decade. Until I saw your stats at Utah, I thought you were really tall (like 5’7). I was amazed to find out you and I are petite. I support you all the way. Don’t listen to negative individuals, because they don’t know you or your strength. I believe you can make this Olympic team particularly the fact that gymnasts have to be all rounders. Your Vaults and floor allons are the strongest in the world. Keep up the good work. God bless you and Jonas.
I want to tear up a little bit :/ Listening to these stories about what they had to go through while being the best gymnasts in the world is really unbelievable because it all happened right in front of our eyes!
Question - you and all the other gymnasts train your whole lives for one, maybe two shots, for an opportunity that only comes around every four years. How do you deal with the idea that your dream of becoming an Olympian is not guaranteed, no matter how hard you might train? Do gymnasts mentally prepare themselves for this heartbreak? How do you stay positive when times get tough? (But none the less, I think you'll make that team. You're doing really great and deserve your chance since you missed out on Rio) :)
Keep in mind that yes, most gymnasts dream of the Olympics, but this is a sport that, at the highest levels, you "have" to love to push through the pain and intense training. I think the majority would (I was one) who was a gymnast because I loved it....there was nothing else for so long....that yes the select few who actually make an "Olympic Trials" are very heartbroken if they dont make it....but love the sport enough they keep at it. It is a feeling like no other flying through the air 😍
I am so happy to hear that you ladies are being taken care of like you should have been for years! Im sad to think what yall went through at the ranch. Sad to know NBC Olympics used to paint the Karolyis and the ranch as as amazing place for our gymnasts.. and than showing how other countries were training their gymnasts like in a 3rd world country only to find out you guys had it so much worse! You should love what youre doing and have fun while doing it! I cant wait to see yall next year happier and healthier than ever before! ❤
It’s the “ I know food on the ranch wasn’t that good and we were starving a lot 😳🥺😢” for me
lots of love to you and the other ladies on the national team!!
So glad to hear things are going in the right direction! How sad is it that girls were worried about eating fruit :( your fans love and support you guys, we have your back!!
MyKayla, thank you so very much for your hard work efforts and to go from 2016 in Rio to UTAH!! Just admire your choise!! So glad you chose UTAH!! ❤ Madison too!💖 UCLA vs. UTAH is the Olympics!🌷👍🇺🇸❤
You are such an inspiration
Question for the Q/A: Is there less pressure to win a gold medal in the new era? Is the pressure still the same? Does USAG value safety over gold medals or any medal.
I don't think anything about the desire to win has changed. The US team has still won every world team title and every world all around title since Martha retired.
Q + A Question: How did you manage school and gymnastics simultaneously?
What is your favourite/ least favourite event?
Has an apparatus ever imploded or broke while you were on it?