2023 Gymnastics Triumphs and Controversies

News Updates
Simone Biles gave us a most special gift this week: video of her doing the WILDEST gymnastics. What do we think could make it into an actual routine?
The FIG released its report from Antwerp. We discuss the glorious trend of increasing competitor age and discuss deep E-score disparity
Developments from this week's college preview meets, including the debuts of Konnor McClain's college era and this year's UCLA floor routines
2023 in Review
It's our last show of a truly memorable year, so we're taking you through a timeline of this year's history-making moments
A top-10 list! We count down the top 10 controversies in gymnastics this year. Which abject horror will take the ultimate crown???
Plus, the best single routine of the year, as well as our top mixed zone moments
Mini-Commission
A mini-commission on the scoring of McKayla Maroney's vaults at the 2012 Olympics. We dive into the individual judges scores in the results book to see if something fishy was going on.
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Live Show Virtual Season Pass
2024 College & Cocktails menu (including cocktails of course)
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2023 Gymnastics Holiday Gift Guide
RELATED EPISODES
2024 NCAA Gymnastics Preview Show
Dolly Parton Gymnastics Stampede
Emergency Gymternet News
Biggest Gymnastics Pet Peeves
Authorized Neutral Athletes
Gymnastics Movie Club: Perfect Body
Trouble in Romania
Best Cheng Ever?
RESOURCES & CITATIONS
Spencer's The Balance Beam Situation
Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
Follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti
The Highest D and E scores from The Gymternet
Men's Gymnastics coverage from Kensley Neutral Deductions

[@Fliptwisttt245]

One of my favorite moments of 2023 is when Simone crowned Rebe in vault finals at worlds

[@evan-dunn]

I think Simone's team final floor routine from worlds was probably exactly the same as nationals day 2. Not only some of the best routines of her life, but shows consistency which is cool.

[@ShelleeGraham]

1:06:24 Eythora is so humble and genuine in that moment. And IT”S HILARIOUS! I love it that she spoke so honestly about that embarrassing moment! WHAT A FUN and WONDERFUL athlete Eythora is! GREAT MOMENT in GymCastic History for sure! 🥇1st Place Answer!

[@quedotelancine1685]

i had to cancel my subscripstion because I am going through some very tough times but I miss behind the scenes so much! Happy holidays people!

[@GymCastic]

Thank you for your kind words. Please shoot us an email and mention this exchange. :)

[@chrisbland2599]

@@GymCasticThis is such a late reply, but just got super into this podcast in the last month. If you have any long time listeners that want a membership I’m happy to gift a few for a year!

[@billyking7693]

Humidity probes and sensors are totally a thing Jess, don’t let them give you grief lol.

[@mitchcarbin481]

Simones floor world team finals was the best!! She stuck evey single pass it was immaculate!! It was even better than nationals by far!

[@jenniferkuhlman5981]

Fun interview Q&A's: ~3 Favorite Leos from the past gymnasts? ~Which one of yours is your fave? ~A throwback Leo you'd wear that's someone else's? ~What clothes designer/ brand would you like to make you a leo? ~Are high neck Leos uncomfortable to you?

[@msbrandymo]

Nya is a member of Delta Sigma Theta (Jess, you can't read Gterk letters?lol). It's a historically Black sorority, part of what is known as the "Divine Nine". My grades didn’t allow me to be Greek, but had friends who were in a Divine Nine sorority or fraternity while we attended LSU (I did manage to graduate 25 years ago). 🤸🏾‍♀️💜🐯💛🐅

[@MrClassiclover80]

that is not the same sorority kamela harris is in. kamela is a alpha kappa alpha, and she is a delta sigma theta

[@GymCastic]

Thank you, we made the edit.

[@Fliptwisttt245]

Question: why doesn’t Simone (and other gymnasts) do the amanar? Specifically Simone because she can do them with such ease. Jade Carey is another. For Simone, is it because she traded out the amanar for the double pike and you can only do 1 yurchenko vault? Correct my math on that. I just remember in 2016 so many more gymnasts were doing 2.5 but nowadays I don’t recall any doing 2.5. Now I’m seeing so many DTY and chengs. I can’t say I remember worlds vault EF that well.

[@charitybosua]

For Simone you are correct; if she does the Amanar she can't do the Biles 2 as it's the same entry. For the other athletes the Amanar is devalued and the risk reward is not worth it anymore. It's better to do a clean DTY unless you have an absolute amazingly consistent Amanar

[@Fliptwisttt245]

@@charitybosua makes sense! Tysm!

[@robinbowman6991]

Amanar is the vault Simone got the twisties and nearly lost control of in Tokyo that led to her pulling out. I don’t think she’s ever said anything explicitly but she hasn’t competed one since; I think she’s still in her head about it. Or at least she was a year ago when she got back in the gym and started training for competition again.

[@atypicaltiffany]

Hey, um, how do I get set up for fantasy league tomorrow? I don’t want to be late to draft 😊

[@GymCastic]

You will be able to draft your athletes at any time--no set draft time. All will be explained on BTS on Friday. We will also launch our page soon that has more information.

[@atypicaltiffany]

Oh good. Serial procrastinator here… just want to NOT be late at something for once. 😬

[@Jonnypear486]

It is possible Simone can hit a 60 in the AA

[@Mthegymqueen]

I think she already has in like 2015 or 2016

[@Jonnypear486]

@@Mthegymqueen I’m talking about in this code of points

[@Mthegymqueen]

@@Jonnypear486 ohh, I see.

[@sweingold5686]

I looked up the sportsball quarterback who is rehabbing. He says " he is out for the season".

[@blakegillpuente3904]

I *very* strongly disagree with the idea that we need to double vault execution deductions to match the other events. The other events need to be REASONABLE and not deducted to a level that even SIMONE BILES struggles to reach an 8.2+ in E Score. Additionally, it seems to be significantly more attainable for the average AA gymnast to compose a 5.6+ D Score on UB than it is for them to throw a Cheng or something harder. So, why tf would we handicap VT scoring EVEN MORE?? If y'all want an AA contender with a 5.0 VT, 5.7 BB, 6.3 UB, and 5.8 FX score for an avg event score of 14.2, okay- I don't!! That sounds ugly to me!! The fact that very solid, decent routines without major errors on ANY event can be scoring 7.795 - 8.000 in E Score at a Worlds or Olympic Games is actually a failure of the CoP. It isn't a sign at all of advancement of the sport. When gymnasts like Simone, who are WELL KNOWN for having excellent technique, are just *BARELY* getting close to an 8.0 E Score, the Code is shit. Idk how anyone is celebrating the fact that medal-worthy routines are now 13.5s - 14.3. That's ugly!!

[@blakegillpuente3904]

Like if we're being *VERY* real and honest with ourselves: it is complete bullshit to say that ALL THREE 2023 UB medalists at Worlds were above and beyond Simone's FX performance, and yet... they all outscored it. You cannot seriously think that is indicative of a good CoP that the greatest FX in the entire history of WAG cannot even score what athletes who wouldn't even rank in the Top 10 UB workers are scoring.

[@darklight1030]

You forgot "and Simone biles is doing Simone things...."

[@kristimoore8763]

Double down on the vault E score? How about be realistic and not be so harsh on the other events. I think they have swung that pendulum in the direct opposite direction to the point of ridiculous. I'm okay with where vault is right now. This is my opinion anyway.

[@anovemberstar]

I think after Paris, Simone would probably prefer to settle into married life, maybe have a baby or two. As for LA 2028 - it's Simone, anything could happen 😅

[@reginab.1612]

I really like the idea of Gym Talk, but her voice is very annoying. I can't listen to her for more than five minutes. Maybe as a European I'm just not used to the high-pitched squeaky voices.

[@Decovah]

She's very enthusiastic and excited is all which makes it even better