This new system will do three things:
>> First, it will encourage a proliferation of
even more difficulty in an already brutal and dangerous sport—taking
us into the realm of an "X-Games" type sport. In
addition to astronomically increasing the probability of serious
injuries to our gymnasts, this new open code will direct
gymnastics towards a depletion of its aesthetic beauty.
>>
Secondly, it will
disorientate a public whose only reference point for understanding
what they see at a meet is how close the score comes up to a 10.0.
Furthermore, it will confuse them as this new system actually
makes it possible for gymnasts to fall or jump off of an event to
rest and then get up and chuck a bunch more difficulty and still
win! It could be possible with the new open-ended code for a
gymnast to win the all-around without even doing all six events.
How will the public, our customers, react to that? I don't have to
answer it. Just go change the scoring system in football and see
what people do. Unfortunately in our case, people will just turn
us off.
>> Thirdly,
think about how such a monumental change will affect your
businesses—imagine trying to explain it all to the parents and
kids. It will most likely impact our livelihoods in a very
negative way.
|
"This
new system will encourage a proliferation of even more
difficulty in an already brutal and dangerous sport—taking
us into the realm of the X-Games." |
How could
this be happening?
Because no one has the guts to speak up and do anything about it.
I am hoping that at least the men won't go down without a fight.
What is USA Gymnastics doing about it?
Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I am so angry about it I could spit.
I have emailed and tried to call our former President, Bob
Colarossi, who was recently elected to the executive committee of
the FIG. I got no response. (By the way Bob Colarossi did not vote
against the new code at the last FIG Executive Meeting in Zurich.)
I have emailed Mr. Ron Froelich,
USA Gymnastics' Chairman of the Board and Auditor for the FIG.
He
essentially told me that there is nothing that the United States
can do to stop the implementation of this new Code. I say bull
crap to that. There is a lot we can and must do to fight this new
code. The President and the Chairman of the Board of USA
Gymnastics are hired and elected to serve the best interests and
carry out the wishes of the general gymnastics community. That is
not happening here and I am asking everyone to let our chairman of
the board, Ron Froelich, know that he is accountable for his lack
of actions in fighting this new code and that we unequivocally
reject this new Code, period.
So please,
don't wait. There is a meeting of all the Gymnastic
Unions who will vote for this new open-ended code towards the end
of April, in about 3 weeks. Email Ron Froelich—your Chairman of
the Board and Bob Colarossi—your former President and current
representative on the FIG Executive Committee and Steve Penny—your
new President for your USA Gymnastics and tell them how you feel
about this new code and their lack of action.
Here is Ron Froelich's email
address: toolsports@worldnet.att.net
Here is Bob Colarossi's email address: bcola@usa-gymnastics.org
Here is Steve Penny's email address: spenny@usa-gymnastics.org
Furthermore,
please pass this email or letter on to any other coaches that you
know. People who are silent, are for the code because no
resistance is what the "open-ended" Code the FIG Zealots
need to succeed (remember, they are defying their own worldwide
poll where 88% of respondents wanted to keep the current 10.0 code).
So act now or prepare for the open ended "Doomsday" code.
Do it today! Right now! We need to let Ron Froelich and Bob
Colarossi know that their lack of action and apathy on this
Armageddon of an issue is absolutely unacceptable. Perhaps if Mr.
Froelich gets a couple of thousand emails he'll rethink his
position. With the United States anything is possible!
Finally, I encourage all gymnasts,
coaches and gymnastics enthusiasts around the world who don't want
this new code, to stand up and fervently voice their opinions to
their respective federations. One voice carries a lot of power
when it reverberates with honesty, passion and courage.
Most respectfully,
Stacy Maloney
Maloney, a
former U.S. national team member, coached world and Olympic
medalists Paul and Morgan Hamm for 13 years.
He is the current head coach and owner of Swiss Turners Gymnastics
in Milwaukee, Wis. He was named USAG Men's Coach of the Year for
2003-2004.
( Friendly permission by INTERNATIONAL GYMNAST, U.S.A.) |
