FIG reducing Gymnastic Olympic spots from 6 to 5

[Ingymmom]

The decision is official. Here is an IG article about it.

International GYMNAST Magazine Online - FIG Cuts Team Size Down to Five

 

[MdGymMom01]

WOW--they are making it very difficult for elite athletes to be able to compete in the Olympics. Very interesting decision...

 

[Billy]

Does that mean that the USA Olympic team has already been decided based on the medalists from last year's Worlds? Also, what do they do if one gymnasts wins more than one medal?

 

[luvnastia]

is it effective for this year and this olympics?

 

[iluvgym]

No this is for 2012

 

[Ingymmom]

Does that mean that the USA Olympic team has already been decided based on the medalists from last year's Worlds? Also, what do they do if one gymnasts wins more than one medal?

This new policy will take effect in Jan 09, so it won't be an issue until 2012. As it stands, only 5 gymnasts compete at the Olympics anyway.

The prior Worlds competition determines a buy in for the country - which we obviously did , but the same gymnasts competing at last years worlds are not necessarily even considered for the Olympics (even though barring injury we can assume shawns and nastia's spots). WAG will now compete at the Visa Championships this week and then onto the Olympic trials later this month which will determine the spot of the top 2 finishers. The rest is up to the us olympic commitee. They will make decisions based on the USA needs, and politics plays in as well...

 

[Billy]

So the way the team is chosen is not changing, just the number of gymnasts?

 

[iluvgym]

For this year after the trials the selected girls attend a training camp and from there the team will be picked by Marta and the selection committee. 2008 will still have six member teams, the 5 person team doesn't start until 2012 (if the new changes are definite).