GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

TICKETS ON SALE NOW [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-in-portland-with-special-guest-mohini-bhardwaj/] PORTLAND LIVE SHOW [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-in-portland-with-special-guest-mohini-bhardwaj/] Bela's Legacy Bela Karolyi helped usher many gymnasts over decades to the pinnacle of the sport. If medals are the measure of success, few can match his accomplishments. When addressing his legacy, however, it would be irresponsible to ignore the wake of destruction he left behind and the culture he helped cultivate that resulted in the largest sexual abuse scandal in American sports history. Many gymnasts, even those who have shared their own stories of abuse by him, have equally expressed gratitude and admiration. It's possible to recognize his accomplishments while also addressing the physical and emotional scars he left on the sport. We are sensitive to those grieving, but we also feel an obligation to honor those who have suffered by sharing a more complete picture of Bela Karolyi. In an exclusive, we have decided to share the most serious allegation against Bela, which we unearthed in our reporting while scouring the Romanian Secret Police documents. The accusation is of sexual assault. We have redacted the names and specific dates to protect the other individuals involved. At the time, the accuser was a teenager less than half Bela's age. It’s important to note that this document was recorded in the Secret Police files, but it has not been substantiated. With that said the police files corroborated the story from the survivor noting that the accuser confided in two adults, over two separate occasions a year apart. The decision to disclose a sexual assault allegation against Bela is not one taken lightly, especially in the wake of his passing. However, this revelation serves an essential purpose, not only for historical accuracy, but also for societal accountability and justice. Only by confronting uncomfortable truths can we honor the experiences of survivors, learn from systemic failures, and create a safer, more just society. Silence and deference to power have already caused immeasurable harm. It is time to prioritize truth and healing over the preservation of a mythological past. SEE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT and TRANSLATION HERE [https://gymcastic.com/the-legacy-of-bela-karolyi] From the National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives. Document: I 0005189 Volume: 001   MORE PROJECT K Project K: Operation Olympia [https://gymcastic.com/project-k-operation-olympia/] Project K: Romanian Gymnastics Documents of Abuse, Neglect & Authority [https://gymcastic.com/project-k-romanian-gymnastics-documents-of-abuse-neglect-authority/] Project K: Documents of Alexandrina Comaneci’s Warning [https://gymcastic.com/project-k-documents-of-alexandrina-comanecis-warning/] Project K: Interview with Nadia & The Secret Police Author Dr. Stejarel Olaru [https://gymcastic.com/project-k-interview-with-nadia-the-secret-police-author-dr-stejarel-olaru/] Project K Episode 2: Interview with Nadia & The Secret Police Author Dr. Stejarel Olaru Part Two [https://gymcastic.com/project-k-episode-2-interview-with-nadia-the-secret-police-author-dr-stejarel-olaru-part-two/] Chinese and British Trial Chaos, and Project K: Decoding Romanian Secret Police Files on The Karolyis with Dr. Simona Petracovschi [https://gymcastic.com/chinese-and-british-trial-chaos-and-project-k-decoding-romanian-secret-police-files-on-the-karolyis-with-dr-simona-petracovschi/] CREDITS: Original Reporting by Jessica O’Beirne and Cosmin Bogdan, freelance journalist. Contributions by Steve Cooper. Translations by Beatrice Gheorghisor and Cosmic Bogdan. Official document transcription and translation by Transperfect. SUPPORT OUR WORK - JOIN CLUB GYM NERD [https://gymcastic.com/club/] Or give it as a gift!. It includes: * * Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes [https://gymcastic.com/club-content/] podcast, dedications, mini-commissions [https://gymcastic.com/club/] , group commissions [https://gymcastic.com/product-category/group-commission/], exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktail [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/]s [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/] episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. * Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum * More goodies: * GymCastic newsletters  [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * College & Cocktails menu [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/2728/] (including mocktails, of course) * GymCastic Fantasy Games [https://gymcastic.com/fantasy-2024-us-classic/] * GymCastic Store [https://gymcastic.com/store/]: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners [https://www.teepublic.com/tapestry/48925286-simone-freakin-biles-tapestry?ref_id=1646], the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! * Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store [https://gymcastic.com/store/] RELATED * * The Karolyi Secret Police Files [https://gymcastic.com/category/gym-nerd-library/project-k/] * Olympic coach John Geddert criminal charges and death [https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2021/02/25/geddert-nassar-usa-gymnastics-sex-assault-msu-twistars/6812888002/] * Doug Boger: * OC Register: Doug Boger banned [https://www.ocregister.com/2011/10/03/banned-after-accusations-of-abuse-some-gymnastics-coaches-continue-to-teach/] * Story on Colorado resident, Doug Boger: "Gymnasts Accuse Colorado Coach Of Sex Abuse, Torture" [https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/gymnasts-accuse-colorado-coach-of-sex-abuse-torture/] * GymCastic episode Preventing Abuse in Gymnastics [https://gymcastic.com/episode-56-preventing-abuse-in-gymnastics/] * Episode where we predict the future: Biggest Olympic Judging Scandals  [https://gymcastic.com/biggest-olympic-judging-scandals-and-paris-rules-update/] * Find all our recent episodes here [https://gymcastic.com/archives/] * Behind The Scenes: every Friday find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/behind-the-scenes/] * Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-goat-tour-jordan-case/] COMMISSIONED EPISODES * * The FluffCast [https://gymcastic.com/258-the-fluff-cast-commissioned/] * Gymnastics Dumest Rules  [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-dumbest-rules/] * GymKata starring Kurt Thomas [https://gymcastic.com/gymkata/] * A Quitters Try: The CNN Parkettes Documentary  [https://gymcastic.com/best-of-gymcastic-a-quitters-try-the-cnn-parkettes-documentary/] * The Leotard Episode [https://gymcastic.com/the-leotard-episode/] * Uncle Tim's Mythbusters [https://gymcastic.com/uncle-tims-mythbusters/] * Find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/episode/commissions/]

PORTLAND LIVE SHOW [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-in-portland-with-special-guest-mohini-bhardwaj/] HALL OF SHAME * Update about Monica Phelps and her banned, pedophile [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/17/holding-gymnastics-to-account-why-one-alleged-victim-of-sexual-abuse-is-speaking-out] husband * Sexually inappropriate comments about minors: Nope [https://youtu.be/zE_0CcHdd2k]. * Sexually inappropriate comments about adults: Double nope [https://people.com/sports/sec-network-analyst-criticized-for-saying-he-wants-to-see-scantily-clad-girls-at-gymnastics-meet/]. * Infantilizing adults and calling them little girls: Triple nope. * Weight Shaming: The Monica Phelps [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vKKJ2Kiquc] Chapter * Being weirdly obsessed with adoption: The Al Trautwig Chapter * Tragic moments in college commentary * Tragic moments in putting on accents GYMCASTIC'S OFFICIAL BROADCAST DOs and DON'Ts * 18 Dos and (mostly) Don'ts for gymnastics broadcasts concerning comparing gymnasts to dented cars, being the smile police, "Bela's girls," and talking about a gymnast's "personality." BANNED WORDS AND PHRASES * From "supple" to "weight" to "international look" to "ancient" to "4 inches wide," we have some words and phrases that are hereby banned from gymnastics commentary. * The most important message for any commentator to reiterate before they begin broadcasts re smashing the patriarchy for the witches they couldn't burn [https://m.tiktok.com/v/6863555967561354501.html?u_code=d9h1g9d7g61mk0&preview_pb=0&language=en&_d=d9h1gcfec79i7a&share_item_id=6863555967561354501×tamp=1601420024&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAm8V4pvkdjeCdh9PZHF9ks6tGB0y687jGgnyg3NJyiOiezDZ9jsTi3DEVfqlzrysA&utm_source=copy&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&tt_from=copy&user_id=6765973086103127046&share_link_id=CAA52BDA-197B-4405-A2D8-08DC67AB890B]. JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Or give it as a gift!. It includes: * * Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes [https://gymcastic.com/club-content/] podcast, dedications, mini-commissions [https://gymcastic.com/club/] , group commissions [https://gymcastic.com/product-category/group-commission/], exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktail [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/]s [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/] episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. * Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum * More goodies: * GymCastic newsletters  [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * College & Cocktails menu [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/2728/] (including mocktails, of course) * GymCastic Fantasy Games [https://gymcastic.com/fantasy-2024-us-classic/] * GymCastic Store [https://gymcastic.com/store/]: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners [https://www.teepublic.com/tapestry/48925286-simone-freakin-biles-tapestry?ref_id=1646], the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! * Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store [https://gymcastic.com/store/] RELATED * * Nellie Kim Code episode  [https://gymcastic.com/nellie-kim-code/] * Support Donnell Whittenburg's coach, Anthony Ingrelli here [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-coach-anthonys-brain-surgery-recovery] * Olympic coach John Geddert criminal charges and death [https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2021/02/25/geddert-nassar-usa-gymnastics-sex-assault-msu-twistars/6812888002/] * Doug Boger: * OC Register: Doug Boger banned [https://www.ocregister.com/2011/10/03/banned-after-accusations-of-abuse-some-gymnastics-coaches-continue-to-teach/] * Story on Colorado resident, Doug Boger: "Gymnasts Accuse Colorado Coach Of Sex Abuse, Torture" [https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/gymnasts-accuse-colorado-coach-of-sex-abuse-torture/] * GymCastic episode Preventing Abuse in Gymnastics [https://gymcastic.com/episode-56-preventing-abuse-in-gymnastics/] * The Karolyi Secret Police Files [https://gymcastic.com/category/gym-nerd-library/project-k/] * Episode where we predict the future: Biggest Olympic Judging Scandals  [https://gymcastic.com/biggest-olympic-judging-scandals-and-paris-rules-update/] * Unionize and Profit Share: The Money Game LSU Docuseries [https://gymcastic.com/unionize-and-profit-share-the-money-game-lsu-docuseries/] * Find all our recent episodes here [https://gymcastic.com/archives/] * Behind The Scenes: every Friday find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/behind-the-scenes/] * Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-goat-tour-jordan-case/] COMMISSIONED EPISODES * * The FluffCast [https://gymcastic.com/258-the-fluff-cast-commissioned/] * Gymnastics Dumest Rules  [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-dumbest-rules/] * GymKata starring Kurt Thomas [https://gymcastic.com/gymkata/] * A Quitters Try: The CNN Parkettes Documentary  [https://gymcastic.com/best-of-gymcastic-a-quitters-try-the-cnn-parkettes-documentary/] * The Leotard Episode [https://gymcastic.com/the-leotard-episode/] * Uncle Tim's Mythbusters [https://gymcastic.com/uncle-tims-mythbusters/] * Find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/episode/commissions/]

Director Katie Walsh is back to answer your questions about the making of the Simone Biles Rising documentary and talk about what it was like to be on the floor filming during the Paris Olympic Games. This episode was recorded October 30th in our weekly Behind The Scenes episode where Club Gym Nerd members [https://gymcastic.com/club/] asked questions live or afterwards on their favorite podcast player [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/89/]. Behind The Scenes is a weekly live Q&A podcast and post-meet live exclusive. It's all part of the bonus content for our Club Members [https://gymcastic.com/club/] who support our work year around. Last live show of the year! Tickets on sale soon. Sign up for our newsletter [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] to be notified first. Add all the exclusive Club Gym Nerd bonus content to your favorite podcast player -  instructions here [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/89/]. Not a member? Join here [https://gymcastic.com/club/]. Join Club Gym Nerd [http://gymcastic.com/club] (or give it as a gift!). It includes: * Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes [https://gymcastic.com/club-content/] podcast, dedications, mini-commissions [https://gymcastic.com/club/] , group commissions [https://gymcastic.com/product-category/group-commission/], exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktail [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/]s [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/] episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. * Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum * More goodies: * GymCastic newsletters  [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * 2024 College & Cocktails menu [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/2728/] (including mocktails, of course) * GymCastic Fantasy Games [https://gymcastic.com/fantasy-2024-us-classic/] * GymCastic Store [https://gymcastic.com/store/]: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners [https://www.teepublic.com/tapestry/48925286-simone-freakin-biles-tapestry?ref_id=1646], the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! * Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store [https://gymcastic.com/store/] COMMISSIONED EPISODES * The FluffCast [https://gymcastic.com/258-the-fluff-cast-commissioned/] * Gymnastics Dumest Rules  [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-dumbest-rules/] * GymKata starring Kurt Thomas [https://gymcastic.com/gymkata/] * A Quitters Try: The CNN Parkettes Documentary  [https://gymcastic.com/best-of-gymcastic-a-quitters-try-the-cnn-parkettes-documentary/] * The Leotard Episode [https://gymcastic.com/the-leotard-episode/] * Uncle Tim's Mythbusters [https://gymcastic.com/uncle-tims-mythbusters/] * The 1992 Barcelona Olympics with Wendy Bruce [https://gymcastic.com/1992-barcelona-olympics-recap-with-wendy-bruce-martin/] * Find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/episode/commissions/]

This week: Absolutely everything about the final two episodes of the Netflix docuseries, Simone Biles Rising. Plus lots of audio clips of Simone's interview Q&A from the premier in Hollywood that Jessica attended last week (all the details on the premier on Behind The Scenes here [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-simone-biles-rising-premier/]). No big deal, but Jessica is in the last two episodes. We also discuss the FIG election news and some Halloween-worthy gymnastics horror stories thanks to that Hart to Hart's gymnast-cat-burglar-cruise-ship-bar-routine tv episode we talked about last week [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-horror/]. Our final live show of the year will be in Portland, Oregon in December! Details coming soon! Club Gym Nerd [http://gymcastic.com/club] members will get early access to tickets and a discount.   Join Club Gym Nerd [http://gymcastic.com/club] (or give it as a gift!). It includes: * * Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes [https://gymcastic.com/club-content/] podcast, dedications, mini-commissions [https://gymcastic.com/club/] , group commissions [https://gymcastic.com/product-category/group-commission/], exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktail [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/]s [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/] episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. * Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum * More goodies: * GymCastic newsletters  [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * 2024 College & Cocktails menu [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/2728/] (including mocktails, of course) * GymCastic Fantasy Games [https://gymcastic.com/fantasy-2024-us-classic/] * GymCastic Store [https://gymcastic.com/store/]: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners [https://www.teepublic.com/tapestry/48925286-simone-freakin-biles-tapestry?ref_id=1646], the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! * Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store [https://gymcastic.com/store/] RELATED * * Nellie Kim Code episode  [https://gymcastic.com/nellie-kim-code/] * Support Donnell Whittenburg's coach, Anthony Ingrelli here [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-coach-anthonys-brain-surgery-recovery] * Doug Boger: * OC Register: Doug Boger banned [https://www.ocregister.com/2011/10/03/banned-after-accusations-of-abuse-some-gymnastics-coaches-continue-to-teach/] * Story on Colorado resident, Doug Boger: "Gymnasts Accuse Colorado Coach Of Sex Abuse, Torture" [https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/gymnasts-accuse-colorado-coach-of-sex-abuse-torture/] * GymCastic episode Preventing Abuse in Gymnastics [https://gymcastic.com/episode-56-preventing-abuse-in-gymnastics/] * The Karolyi Secret Police Files [https://gymcastic.com/category/gym-nerd-library/project-k/] * Episode where we predict the future: Biggest Olympic Judging Scandals  [https://gymcastic.com/biggest-olympic-judging-scandals-and-paris-rules-update/] * Unionize and Profit Share: The Money Game LSU Docuseries [https://gymcastic.com/unionize-and-profit-share-the-money-game-lsu-docuseries/] * Find all our recent episodes here [https://gymcastic.com/archives/] * Behind The Scenes: every Friday find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/behind-the-scenes/] * Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-goat-tour-jordan-case/] COMMISSIONED EPISODES * * The FluffCast [https://gymcastic.com/258-the-fluff-cast-commissioned/] * Gymnastics Dumest Rules  [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-dumbest-rules/] * GymKata starring Kurt Thomas [https://gymcastic.com/gymkata/] * A Quitters Try: The CNN Parkettes Documentary  [https://gymcastic.com/best-of-gymcastic-a-quitters-try-the-cnn-parkettes-documentary/] * The Leotard Episode [https://gymcastic.com/the-leotard-episode/] * Uncle Tim's Mythbusters [https://gymcastic.com/uncle-tims-mythbusters/] * Find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/episode/commissions/]

This week: we discuss the gymnastics revenge horror short, "Stuck"; Simone's tour blooper; Jessica is going to the Simone Biles Rising documentary Premier this week; journalist Alina Alexoi has been suspended from European Gymnastics and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (details here [https://gymcastic.com/trouble-in-romania/]); FIG faces mass resignation in Parkour and lots of technical committee Presidents running unopposed; there are subjective judging problems in every ball sport [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2024/10/21/texas-football-controversial-penalty-pass-interference-georgia-refs/75772788007/], so don't let anyone tell you gymnastics is "a subjective sport"; should judges be able to watch replays at will; the time an acro world championship was almost lost after a judge incorrectly input the digital scores; college gymnastics commit updates; the most exciting meets on the NCAA schedule for 2025; the most ridiculous gymnastics episode of TV: Hart to Hart's gymnastics cat burglar cruise ship bar routine.    Join Club Gym Nerd [http://gymcastic.com/club] (or give it as a gift!). It includes: * * Weekly Q&A  Behind The Scenes [https://gymcastic.com/club-content/] podcast, dedications, mini-commissions [https://gymcastic.com/club/] , group commissions [https://gymcastic.com/product-category/group-commission/], exclusive extended interviews, and College & Cocktail [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/]s [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/college-cocktails/] episodes. Plus discounts and first dibs on Live Show tickets and merch. * Exclusive VIP section on the message board Forum * More goodies: * GymCastic newsletters  [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * 2024 College & Cocktails menu [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/2728/] (including mocktails, of course) * GymCastic Fantasy Games [https://gymcastic.com/fantasy-2024-us-classic/] * GymCastic Store [https://gymcastic.com/store/]: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even “tapestries” (banners [https://www.teepublic.com/tapestry/48925286-simone-freakin-biles-tapestry?ref_id=1646], the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! * Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store [https://gymcastic.com/store/] RELATED * * The Karolyi Secret Police Files [https://gymcastic.com/category/gym-nerd-library/project-k/] * Episode where we predict the future: Biggest Olympic Judging Scandals  [https://gymcastic.com/biggest-olympic-judging-scandals-and-paris-rules-update/] * Unionize and Profit Share: The Money Game LSU Docuseries [https://gymcastic.com/unionize-and-profit-share-the-money-game-lsu-docuseries/] * Behind The Scenes: every Friday find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/behind-the-scenes/] * Behind The Scenes: GOAT Tour & Jordan's Swiss Appeal [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-goat-tour-jordan-case/] COMMISSIONED EPISODES * * The FluffCast [https://gymcastic.com/258-the-fluff-cast-commissioned/] * Gymnastics Dumest Rules  [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-dumbest-rules/] * GymKata starring Kurt Thomas [https://gymcastic.com/gymkata/] * A Quitters Try: The CNN Parkettes Documentary  [https://gymcastic.com/best-of-gymcastic-a-quitters-try-the-cnn-parkettes-documentary/] * The Leotard Episode [https://gymcastic.com/the-leotard-episode/] * Uncle Tim's Mythbusters [https://gymcastic.com/uncle-tims-mythbusters/] * Find them all here [https://gymcastic.com/category/episode/commissions/]