Olympic Gymnasts - setting a bad example??!

[Deanna]

I have enjoyed the fantastic display of skills and artistry by all the WA Olympic gymnasts but... how do I explain to my own gymnasts that EAR-RINGS and GLITTER IN HAIR/ON FACE are not allowed in British Gymnastics Clubs??!!! We are constantly battling with our youngsters to enforce these rules, then their ICONS peform on TV completely flaunting these rules on the World stage!!

Any suggestions please!

[Tasha]

Hey i understand earrings but how come they are not allowed glitter?? Luv Tasha xxx

[Red]

Hey Tasha
that last comp at Spelthorne we were told no glitter spray as it is hard to get out of the carpet!!!!! I think it looks lovely and makes you feel nice too!
Luv Redxx

[Tasha]

Yes same but that's the only comp we have been told not to use glitter ! I love it lol Luv Tasha xx

[pinkcandy]

can't say i've ever heard about the glitter rule either?:confused:

EDIT: i think the worse example is that of bad sportsmanship, as said by 'Crystal' in another thread, from Khorkina stomping out of the arena.

[Anita]

I think the "no jewellery" rule is just a British thing (although some other Countries might also have the same rule) but it is obvious that FIG don't.

As for the "no glitter" we were told that in acro a few years ago - I don't think the problem was with the fine glitter spray that we used on hair but the glitter gels people started using on hair, faces and body which contained larger pieces of glitter. I have noticed that more and more acro people are going back to using glitter as well as "stick on" diamantes on their faces, fancy hair ornaments etc.

Personally I believe that the "stick on" diamantes should be treated like jewellery because they could come off on the floor (it's surprising what something that small could do if you stood on it wrong). Hair ornaments should be looked at more carefully to ensure they are safe. I saw a trio a while ago who had their hair in plaits and then made into what I can only describe as a crown - but it was held stiff by wire. That has GOT to be dangerous: what if they land wrong and the wire goes into their head?:eek:

Sorry - got this thing about health and safety ......

[Deanna]

Thanks for all the feedback folks!

Our County Committee passed the ruling on glitter on the basis, as Anita puts it, of health and safety. The concerns were that gymnasts would touch their hair/face then put their hands on the vault/floor etc. Others may then inadvertently put their hands on the glitter and rub their eyes - hence the potential hazard.

I'm still disappointed with the jewellry worn by top gymnasts - my club gymnasts are going to give me hell over both this and the glitter thing next week!

It would be nice for BG to put an article about it in their next Gymnast magazine or Springboard mag (for members, not sure what it's called!) explaining why and re-iterating BG policy!

[peter edge]

In trampolining the glitter got very popular, unfortunately it was quite dangerous too as the surplus glitter would be projected from the bed into performers eyes and as such became a safety hazard and banned. It seemed that Spanish performers tended to use the glitter in the W.A. more than anybody else I wonder if this comes from the rythmic fraternity as the spanish are very strong in that area.

[Gingerbop]

We were always told that we weren't allowed much make-up in competitions (as in, foundation and maybe mascara, but nothing like glitter, bright eyeshadow or red lipstick). When I was younger, I thought it was an awful rule (this was during the period I wanted to be a hippy and drew stars on my cheek all the time), but now I think it's quite a good rule- the judges can judge the gymnastics, not whats on their faces. Or do we want it to turn into showjumping, when half of it's about how shiny your horses mane is?

[Vivien Gourlay]

I have head from a couple of sources that sleevless leotards are going to be band in competitions. Can anyone tell me if there is a shred of truth in this?
My littler ones like to wear leotards with no sleeves and we are about to purchase new leotards which can or can not have sleeves so we are all in a quandry about what to buy.

Vivien

[Anita]

Each branch of gymnastics has its own rules on leotards: do you mean WA?

In tumbling sleeveless leotards are already banned: they have to be 3/4 length of longer.

In Acro you can currently use sleeveless leotard but "swimsuit style" leotards are not permitted - this translates to those with narrow straps: rather like the american sleeveless leotards which, to me, do often look like swim suits! You must also not have areas of the back showing. New rules will be coming into force regarding the use of skin coloured fabric - those giving the appearance of bikini styles, beachwear or with large areas of nudity be will be restricted. Theatrical and character attire will also be forbidden (eg waiters, clowns, cabaret) and pictures (animals, faces) will also be forbidden.

[Gingerbop]

Nooo! I only just found out that you WERE allowed sleeveless loetards in competitions this year. Oh well.

A club I used to train with had plain navy leotards, with a little diamante dolphin on the chest. Would that kind of thing be banned under the pictures/ animals thing? And why are sleeveless leotards banned in tumbling? I cant see any safety issue there, and it's hardly disgustingly revealing, is it? Or are we all gonna have to perform in potato sacks soon?

What are your new ones going to be like Viv? Come to think of it, I cant remember what your current ones are like either.

Did anyone see the synchronised swimming? Their swimsuits are amazing- they are more like leotards, but some of them were really schnazzy!

[Anita]

Gingbop - shouldn't imagine the dolphin would be a problem really. I think it's more for those ones you see with large animal faces on them (having said that I've never seen any in competition).

As for tumbling leos - no idea why they have to have sleeves but it might have something to do "lines". Did you know, though, that male tumblers can't wear leggings - they have to wear shorts! Perhaps tumbling judges have this thing for hairy legs ;)

Saw some of the synchro swimming and agree with you (some were ghastly though!).

Just been watching some rhythmic on Sky - lots of "flesh" colour on their leos.:)

[jacquie]

In sports aerobics they are allowed sleeveless but not pictures of anything and no skin showing below the shoulder blade level and not those thin straps either - the shoulder blades have to be covered. A girl in my daughters club had a leotard with a picture of a rose on it on one side - small just below the shoulder level, and got deduction for it.

[Stephy]

:eek: I hope they don't ban sleeveless leotards in WA because we've just got new squad leotards and they're sleeveless. I don't really see the point in banning them - we all decided at our club that we'd rather have them because it gets so hot when you're competing. Also they've only just allowed us to wear sleeveless they can't change their minds that quickly!!! Our leotards are so nice and I haven't been able to wear mine yet in competition:(

I also don't understand the glitter thing what's the point in banning that?! Glitter looks so nice and gymnasts love doing their hair for competitions you can't stop us doing something so harmless!!!

I just want to point out to the person who was complaining about Khorkina-pinkcandy (I know where you live!!!:p) that she didn't stomp out of the arena!!! It was her last performance in the olympics and she mucked up- I think that anyone in that situation wouldn't have wanted to hang around in the arena with everyone looking at you!!! She put on her clothes and quietly left the arena- its not her fault that the cameras were focusing on her the whole time - im sure thats not what she wanted. Also, she's probably THE best gymnast of her time- I love her she's wicked!!!! She's brought so much to the sport- elegance and grace, personality to the arena and shes brought the standard of bars up so much. She's just a natural born performer and fantastic gymnast!!

ooo does anyone know whether she's retired straight after the olympics or if she's going to carry on until December when the world cup finals are going to be in birmingham!!! I hope she's going to be there because I'm going up and its on my 18th birthday- it would be a dream come true to see her perform live and when better than on my 18th!!!

[pinkcandy]

Personally i just think that it was unsporting of her, she wouldn't have walked out if she had won.

Back to the leotards, i think long-sleeved look nicer for competitions because you can see the line of their arms better, and they look tidier imo.

[peter edge]

Is this thing with the leotards just in G.B. because if not some of our continental cousins like to go ,shall we say natural in the armpit area and .......no, lets not go there!! lol!http://www.british-gymnastics.org/memberforum/images/icons/icon11.gif

[Jasmine Lee]

Glitter is banned for trampolining because of the material it is made of ( not sure about why for the other disciplines), because little pieces can be sharp, it can unfortunately scratch the eyeball and surrounding area. Its also near impossible to remove. In our region we have been told we can be disqualified if we wear glitter, havn't heard aboput minimal make-up before though.

[Kelly Jordan]

I'm from the same region as Jasmine, and I remember turning upto my first trampolining comp, after taking a year out, with all glitter in my hair - I was only told when I got there that they would disqualify me, so it was a mad rush to try and get it all out!!!
And I am sorry, but I don't think anyone can knock Svetlana Korkhina!!!
When other people did well who she was competing against, she simply smiled, but you could see the dissapointment in her face.
She is quite old for an Olympic gymnast, and she certainly should be commended for how long she has stuck at the sport, especially at the highest level!!!
I also think she is an absolutely fantastic gymnast and deffinitly stood out with her own style!!!
It's nice to see the Americans trying to copy her's and the Chinese's own style (how original) *sarcasm* and can i just point out that a couple of the American girls looked no less than outraged when someone did better than them!!!
So Korkhina's sportsmanship can not be faulted.
Just think if it was you ...
Trying for so many years, and always just pipped at the post ...
Kept going longer than anyone else ...
Your last chance to achieve your dream, which is within your grasp ...
Then you just miss out ...
Would you hang around?!?!
I wouldn't, i think the emotion of sheer dissapointment would drive you out, and time on your own would be your first request!!!
I really am sorry this is long, but i can not stand people knocking athletes when they don't deserve it!!!
And finally on the jewellery note ... I was mildy suprised myself!!!
Actually no, that is wrong ... I was almost disgusted!!!
Everyone is so hot on Health and Safety (well here anyway) and yet earings and necklaces and belly bars and rings remained to be worn in all events throughout the Olympics!!!
These people are supposed to be the best, so you would think they would have the harshest rules!!!
Obviously not ... Standards must slip when you reach a higher level!!!
And Pete ... Probably a good idea not to go there!!!
Lol!!!
Luv Kel!!!
-x-X-x-

[Jasmine Lee]

Thats a really long post Kelly hehe, but I totally agree. Most clubs I have come across are happy to obide by the rules but I think it is really bad when on the day of the competition a marshall has to inform a competitor that they cannot wear glitter, jewellery, e.t.c. I can remember a few competitions ago I was judging a girl who wore a large amount of glitter, but hadn't competed yet, we told her coach that she could be disqualified because it broke the rules, he just laughed and said that wouldn't happen and we were being fussy. So if the performers aren't being told and their idols are happy to flaunt the rules on national television, its not really surprising that so many people turn up to competitions covered in the stuff. I personally do not believe it anhances the performers appearance and consider it a distraction. I am bothered about clean lines and performance when I judge not how pretty the competitor is.

[pink_heffalump]

Glitter isn't just the sparkly stuff in a can you think it it is, its a statment, a statement saying I am here to perform, I am presented to perform and I am ready to compete to the best of my ability with the most effort possible in every area of my person! presenation and ability!

Call me philosophical but thats what glitter is to me! its not somethign you wear every day for training its for those comps where you're makin your biggest efforts, somethign special and different and the glitter defines that! Not to mention everyone loves the fact it doesnt come out of your hair for about a week no matter how much you wash it! :P

And as for leotards, they always used to say we shoudlnt really comete in short sleeves in WA but we never got repremanded for doing so and in team gym its perfectly viable as long as your straps exceed the 2cm minimum in width! Team gym is pretty good thoguh, cat suits, long sleeves, short sleeves, shorts, diamante the works! and all the glitter in the world if you want! :P sign of a good sport! :D

[Ruthie]

in WA international comps it was always the rule that long sleeves had to be worn. but this year in the olympics it was the 1st year to allow shortsleaves. why would they allow that then go on to ban short sleeves.

personally i think that long sleeves look better in compertitions as it show the lines more however it should be up to the individual club to make the decision

[Sue]

Going back to Jasmine's comments about difficulty of dealing with this if coaches and gymnasts flout the rules - in men's gymnastics there is a deduction of 0.2 from the final score for "violations of attire regulations" - presumably there is something similar for WA so you don't have to go as far as disqualifying a gymnast but a few competitions with deductions for attire might make gymnasts and coaches change their attitude slightly. There are plenty of ways you can look smart and ready for performing without wearing glitter and jewellery and other things that might have health and safety implications. (Can't say I understand the rationale behind the restrictions on sleeve length of leotards in the various disciplines though).