LATEST GYMNASTICS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD HERE ON GYMNASTICS ONLINE!

Shannon Miller and 1984 USA Men’s Team elected to the US Olympics Hall of Fame.

British Government fails to increase funding for GB Team’s bid for Medals at London 2012!

American Cup Tickets go on sale.

British Gymnastics announce Men’s European Championships selection program.

800 gymnasts at Redbridge School of Gymnastics to be without a home if new premises cannot be found by August. Gym may have to close despite 300 on waiting list!

U.S. Olympic Committee honours Chellsie Memmel and USA Women’s World Championships Team.

Outstanding results for British Junior Men’s Teams in Europe, multiple medals for GB on the International stage.

British Gymnastics announce launch of Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, up to £3,000 support available at 3 new Focus Centres in Great Britain

Gymnastics Online launch Polls for your favourite Gymnasts, Clubs, Sports Acrobats and Tumblers for 2005!  

Three Great Britain Tumblers including double World Age Groups Champion Samantha Palmer move to Lynx

Australia to rebuild for Commonwealth Games, Peggy Liddick predicts close competition between Monette Russo and Beth.

WCSN Broadcasts complete World Championships around the Globe

Spelthorne Christmas Display this weekend

Total Gymnast Magazine folds before launch

Octavian Belu considers move to China or USA

Aisling Williams wins Gold at Cumbernauld Goodwill Classic in 4 Nation Meet plus Gold on Bars! 

American Coach sentenced to 20 years.

USA captures record 9 Medals at World Championships

Full Review of Artistic World Championships All Around plus Apparatus Finals Day 1 and 2

Vladimir Pozdnyakov, top Sports Acrobatics Coach passes away

All photos on this Site are copyright of Sing Lo, Samantha Davies, Philip Morton, and World Gym Art. All photos are copyright and must not be used  without permission.

18 DECEMBER - SHANNON MILLER & 1984 MEN’S USA TEAM ELECTED TO OLYMPIC HALL OF FAME!

INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE SHOWN ON NBC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.

US Gym legends Shannon Miller , who has won more Olympic and world medals than any other U.S. gymnast, and the 1984 Men's Gymnastics Team that earned the USA's first Olympic team gold medal were inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in Chicago on 8 December. The Induction ceremony at the Harris Theatre will be televised on NBC on Sunday, Jan. 1, at 2:30 p.m. ET

Miller became only the second Gymnast in American history to be elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame after Mary Lou Retton was elected in 1985. Shannon won an incredible seven Olympic and nine World Championship medals following her debut at the elite level in 1990, and at the 1992 Olympic Games. Her five medals (two silver and three bronze) set a new record for the most medals won by a U.S. athlete. Four years later, she won two gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta in an unforgettable Olympic Finals. In addition to the team gold medal as part of the “Magnificent Seven,” Miller became the first American gymnast to win the balance beam gold medal. She also is the only U.S. gymnast to win back-to-back world all-around titles (1993-94). Coached by Steve Nunno and Peggy Liddick, Shannon won an incredible total of 58 international and 49 national competition medals, and over half of these were gold!

“We are thrilled for both Shannon and the men's team for this well-deserved recognition,” said Steve Penny , president of USA Gymnastics. “Their accomplishments have inspired millions around the world, and they have continued to be positive role models for many young people. We congratulate them and the other members of the 2006 Class for such a distinguished honor.”

Peggy Liddick continues to enjoy terrific success at World level, and she recently coached Australia’s Monette Russo to an All Around bronze medal in the World Championships in Melbourne.

Olympic champion John Nabor introduced the 1984 U.S. Olympic Men's Team, which was the first U.S. squad to win an Olympic team gold medal. All of the team members were on hand for the induction: Bart Conner , Tim Daggett , Mitch Gaylord, Jim Hartung, Jim Mikus, Scott Johnson and Peter Vidmar.

“ From a selfish standpoint, what a wonderful reunion for us,” said Vidmar. “To sit around and reminisce, I felt like a 20 year old. The same humor, the same jokes, the same banter, the same camaraderie and, more importantly, the same love we shared in 1984 was there. It was here tonight at this event. This was just a wonderful occasion for us to get together.”

Johnson said, “This was an incredible experience. It was great for our team to be recognized again. We are just a great big family, and for us to get together again and be recognized in this way is awesome. I want to thank all of USA Gymnastics for its continued support for us, and we are all very involved with growing the sport of gym in the United States .”

Daggett said, “It's been over 20 years since we went to Los Angeles , and we were just a group of kids who just dreamed a whole lot about going to the Olympics. We truly were a team. We haven't seen all of us together in a long time. Being a part of the ceremony was great, but I would trade it in a second just having for the opportunity to hang out with some of the greatest guys in the world.”

The 1984 Men's Team had dinner in Chicago the night before the induction. “We had a chance to go to dinner last night,” said Mikus “Tonight was special but to sit around the table with the guys and have dinner and talk about some of the experiences we shared, some of places we travelled and some of the stranger moments of our careers was really fun.

“To come here tonight, look at the program and read about the other inductees, see who is in the Olympic Hall of Fame and some of the presenters like Bob Beamon, Janet Evans and John Nabor, people with multiple gold medals and who competed in multiple Olympic Games, and you realize that as a team we are being elected into the same Hall, it is beyond humbling and it is a real honor. It was a tremendous night,” said Mikus.

Conner said, “Today, 21 years later, people still ask me if I stay in touch with my teammates. People forever look at us as brothers. I think we felt that way too. Nothing is as powerful as success you can share with others. That is what we did. It was incredible. We shared a life changing moment together and we needed each other to do it. We still have that bond from what was a life-defining moment for all of us.”

The team gold medal was not the only time these gymnasts stepped up on the podium in 1984. Other Olympic medals earned were: Vidmar, gold in the pommel horse and silver in the individual all-around; Daggett, bronze in pommel horse; Conner, gold on parallel bars; and Gaylord, silver in the vault and bronze in both the parallel bars and still rings.

Miller, who earned seven Olympic and nine World Championship medals, was the last member of the 2006 to be inducted. She was introduced by fellow gymnasts Conner and Vidmar, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame as individual athletes in 1991.

“She has set the standard for what a female gymnast can accomplish in this sport,” said Vidmar. “I don't know how her accomplishments can be topped. I was thrilled to be a part of this and share it with her. It took Bart and me together to do it.”

Miller said, “I don't know if these guys know how much impact, they had in my being up here. They were a great inspiration to me when I was growing up.” .

The Class of 2006 finalists in the individual sport/event, team, Paralympic and coaching categories were selected by a nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians and USOC representatives. The inductees in these groups were then selected for induction into the Hall of Fame through on-line voting by the general public and Olympic family members.

The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to celebrate the achievements of America 's premier athletes in the modern Olympic Games. The first U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1983, and the first inductees included Olympic greats Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe and Muhammad Ali, and remains the largest group (20 individuals and one team) ever inducted. The Ceremony took a 12 year break in 1992, but was revived due to popular demand in 2004.

I am sure that gymnastics fans and athletes around the World will echo Steve’s comments and many congratulations to Shannon and the US Men’s Team on this distinguished honour which they richly deserve.

Don’t forget you can vote for Shannon in our All Time Favourite Women’s Artistic Poll here on Gymnastics Online, and you can also vote for your All Time favourite male gymnast now!  Click here to go to our home page and register your votes now You can also read profiles of members of the Mag 7 including Kerri Strugg, Dominique Dawes and many others here!

18 DECEMBER - BRITISH GOVERNMENT FAILS TO INCREASE FUNDING GB TEAM’S PROGRAMS FOR LONDON 2012!

BLAIR GIVES UP ONE BILLION POUNDS PER YEAR EU REBATE, BUT FAILS TO INCREASE FUNDING   OUR FUTURE OLYMPIAN’S BID FOR GOLD!

Britain’s Sports leaders reacted with anger and accused the British Government of damaging Britain’s chances of achieving fourth place in the medal’s table at the London 2012 Olympics, after the Government failed to declare any increase in funding for athletes preparing for the Games.

The British Olympic Association has been seeking up to £100 million a year for a 720-strong team across all 26 sports included in the Olympics. At present the figure is about £48 million. Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister, is understood to have been lobbying the Treasury for assurances on the money that will become available for the preparation of competitors. Instead, the Chancellor repeated his announcement of a year ago of the setting up of a national sports foundation, but failed to give any details.

The BOA said that the lack of the expected details was “devastating news” for national governing bodies wanting to plan budgets for the next seven years. Simon Clegg, the BOA chief executive, said that the present situation was “like entering an Olympic race with one hand tied behind our back. This is because of the lack of understanding that the period of time for preparation is so short if we are to aspire to success. Every day that we lose now is vital.”

Mr Clegg said that if Britain is to reach its hoped-for fourth place in the medals table in 2012, the highest likely position behind China, the United States and Russia, it needs “sustained and consistent funding”. He said: “We will now have lost ten months in the 85-month period until the Games.”

David Sparkes, chief executive of the Amateur Swimming Association, said: “We are arguably too late already. We need cash in the bank by April 2006 at the very latest because we need to start recruiting the best foreign coaches.”

Brian Stocks, the president of British Gymnastics, said he was “astounded” at the lack of news.

GYMNASTICS ONLINE’S VIEW

This news is compounded today after Tony Blair announced that Great Britain will give up a ONE BILLION POUNDS A YEAR EU rebate every year to help enlarge the EU! Whilst politics should not become entwined with sport, our elite programs, and our sports men, women and Coaches depend on adequate funding from the British Government and U.K. Sport if they are going to mount a realistic challenge for Olympic Medals. This is even more important when we see at first hand other countries investing heavily in their programs.

Sadly it seems that Blair is happy for high profile media photo opportunities in the East End, and needs to save face in Brussels as he nears the end of his 6 month Presidency of the E.U, but when it comes to major investment in Britain’s elite athletes, it is a different matter. The investment of an additional 52 million pounds per year represents just over 5% of what he has given up in Brussels and is equal to one million pounds a week. Our athletes and Coaches have proved in World competition that they deserve the Government’s support which means funding must be released immediately!

After our gymnast’s best ever performance at the Melbourne World Championships despite massive funding cuts, particularly in the Men’s Artistic program, just imagine what we could achieve if the money was released to our elite programs now!

Whilst the Government claims to be alarmed by child hood obesity and lack of fitness, our Schools continue to see school playing fields being sold off and we lose future generations of sportsmen and women. The British Government should hang their heads in shame at this continuing betrayal of our young Olympic hopefuls.  What do you think? E-mail us now and we will publish a selection of your views!

16 DECEMBER - TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY FOR AMERICAN CUP IN PHILADELPHIA!

LIVE TV COVERAGE ON NBC SPORTS CONFIRMED! 

Tickets for the 2006 American Cup, one of the most prestigious international gymnastics events, go on sale on Friday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m., just in time for Christmas shopping. Showcasing the world’s top gymnasts, the American Cup will take place on March 4 at the Global Spectrum's Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The American Cup, which has a fabulous legacy of showcasing the world’s top gymnasts. For 2006, the American Cup returns to its traditional format featuring the all-around competition. The participating athletes will be announced closer to the event. The 2006 American Cup will be the first international event in the United States, and one of the first in the world, to use the new scoring system for gymnastics that allows gymnasts to earn scores above the traditional 10.0. Competition on March 4 will be televised live on NBC Sports at 1 p.m. ET.

Former American Cup all-around gold medalists are a veritable who's who of gymnastics: Amongst the men -- Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Vitaly Scherbo (Belarus), Tim Daggett, Peter Vidmar, Mitsuo Tsukahara (Japan), Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner; and women -- Olympic Champion Carly Patterson, Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia), Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips, Mary Lou Retton, Julianne McNamara, Stella Zakarova (USSR) and Nadia Comaneci (Romania). In 2005, the American Cup was a World Cup event and its format named individual event champions; the USA's Alexander Artemev, Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel and Nastia Liukin won gold medals.

Tickets are $25, $35 and $75 and may be purchased through several different avenues: via phone at 888.OWLS.TIX; online at liacourascenter.com; or in person at the Liacouras Center Box Office. Ticket-holders for March 4 may also attend the preliminary rounds on March 3.

15 December - BRITISH GYMNASTICS ANNOUNCE MAG JUNIOR AND SENIOR SELECTION POLICIES FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

British Gymnastics announced today the selection criteria for the 27th European Championships. BG state on their Web Site tonight that "The selection policies will use a trial process over three dates between January and April for the Seniors, and February and April for the Juniors. For those competing in the Commonwealth Games their scores from the all around competition will be a factor when it comes to wildcard selections. All gymnasts not competing in the Commonwealth Games will be expected to be present for the second trial. However the average will be taken from the first and the third trials for the Juniors and Seniors. British Gymnastics currently have planned a training camp in Greece in late April. This is subject to budget and confirmation from the Greek Federation.

We wish all gymnasts entering for the selection process the very best with their performances".

To download JUNIOR Selection policies click here.

To download SENIOR Selection policies click here.

15 DECEMBER - REDBRIDGE SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS MAY HAVE TO CLOSE IF NEW HOME CANNOT BE FOUND BY AUGUST.

800 GYMNASTS AND 26 COACHES AFFECTED DESPITE 300 CHILDREN ON GYM’S WAITING LIST!

 Redbridge School of Gymnastics may be forced to close unless new premises can be found by next August leaving 800 gymnasts and 26 staff without a home after the land was sold for housing. Redbridge have been based in Pulteney Road, South Woodford for over 20 years, and currently have over 800 children aged between 2 and 18, with a waiting list of another 300 children for the popular school.

But the Site has been sold to a property developer for housing, after planning permission was granted by Redbridge Council despite the Gym representing the same Council in the London Youth Games. Now the Club face having to find new premises by August next year, or all the children will be without a gym, and 26 teachers, some of whom attended the same school as youngsters, will lose their jobs. Rebecca Gibson, is co-manager of the Redbridge School of Gymnastics with Julie Ewenson. She said “ Redbridge Council has said there aren't that many places around. We represent the council at the London Youth Games but will not be able to in future unless we find somewhere to go. The kids will not be able to progress their careers, and there are some really good gymnasts here, and 28 staff will lose their jobs."

The council's regional planning committee recently granted permission for 11 new houses - seven two bedroom, two three bedroom and two four bedroom on the site. It was also agreed that a scout hall, which will also have to be demolished due to the redevelopment, will be relocated at the new site. But the Redbridge School of Gymnastics was not so fortunate.

The site will be the second new housing development in Pulteney Road after permission was granted by the planning inspectorate to build 11 flats on the site of a car breakers yard which was burned out in October. Suzanne Phipson, whose daughter Hannah, 14, attends the gymnastic school, is furious. She said: "Tessa Jowell, the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport and the Government want kids to be fit and healthy yet these kids will be left with nowhere to carry out the sport they love. There is also the issue of the London Olympics. Sport England and Seb Coe want us to have the best sporting teams in every field by 2012 but how can that happen if places for the kids of today are closing? The gym also keeps kids off the streets and sport in general helps prevent them from getting into crime and drugs."

We are aware this has happened to other Clubs recently both in the U.K. and abroad, who continue to struggle to find new premises to provide gymnastics facilities in their areas.

We wish the School and gymnasts the very best of luck in their search. The local newspaper the Guardian Series for East and West London are also backing the gymnast’s quest to find a new home, and if anyone can help to find new premises for the School, please email cstong@london.newsquest.co.uk. or us at Gymnasticsonline and we will be pleased to pass details to the School.

We also appeal to the Council to do their utmost to help find new premises for the School and it’s dedicated staff to prevent the Gym closing and enable them to continue to provide gymnastics for the whole community.