Anon Putting age caps for DP levels

[Anonymous (2fd6)]

My question....how many sane parents would look at a gym with divisive posts, weak history of success at upper levels and social media predominantly revolving around one young child and think this that is the place to be?

I don't think many informed parents would choose said gym for DP. Seems like most of their business is Xcel.

 

[Anonymous (c22c)]

I don't think the OP is against 12 year olds competing bronze. They are against 12 year olds competing levels that were designed for kids under age 7.

I would question why are there any levels "designed for kids under age 7"

 

[Anonymous (2fd6)]

I would question why are there any levels "designed for kids under age 7"

I agree they seem silly. And even sillier when competed by older kids.

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I don't think many informed parents would choose said gym for DP. Seems like most of their business is Xcel.

Agee. They seem to have had an exodus of gymnasts after the 2025 season. They had a handful of level 6's, and it seems they all left to go to another gym, or quit.

I also happened to find this article:

Romanian federation bans coach for assault

A Romanian coach has been banned for a year by his national federation for physically abusing a gymnast, an official told Reuters on Tuesday.

www.espn.com

 

[Anonymous (4210)]

Agee. They seem to have had an exodus of gymnasts after the 2025 season. They had a handful of level 6's, and it seems they all left to go to another gym, or quit.

I also happened to find this article:

Romanian federation bans coach for assault

A Romanian coach has been banned for a year by his national federation for physically abusing a gymnast, an official told Reuters on Tuesday.

www.espn.com

I think they explained the situation. I do think considering his background, the “early cherry-pick” and “weed out” process is common among Asian and east European countries, so I get where he is coming from, but it is an entirely different system here. The private clubs enables mass participation for kids with a variety of goals and trajectories, versus kids are picked to be successful for elite. In the US, we also don’t have the affordable integrated “sports schools” or municipal teams that funnel as the pipeline. Yes, in these countries, you gotta start and train hard early on, and yes if your goal is making the national team by 13-14, and peak during the Olympic cycle. Burnout, injuries and short athletic life are not among the concerns. There are pros and cons in each. They are just simply not the same system.

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I think they explained the situation. I do think considering his background, the “early cherry-pick” and “weed out” process is common among Asian and east European countries, so I get where he is coming from, but it is an entirely different system here. The private clubs enables mass participation for kids with a variety of goals and trajectories, versus kids are picked to be successful for elite. In the US, we also don’t have the affordable integrated “sports schools” or municipal teams that funnel as the pipeline. Yes, in these countries, you gotta start and train hard early on, and yes if your goal is making the national team by 13-14, and peak during the Olympic cycle. Burnout, injuries and short athletic life are not among the concerns. There are pros and cons in each. They are just simply not the same system.

And I totally get that he comes from a different system. But it seems a tad bit narcissistic to petition USAG to change the rules because of his Eastern European philosophy.

Nothing is stopping him from running his gym the way he wants to. If he doesn't want his little level 2's competing against older girls, then find some bigger meets to go to where that won't be an issue. Trying to get USAG to change their rules (when there really doesn't seem to be an issue) is going to be a fruitless endeavor.

 

[Anonymous (4210)]

And I totally get that he comes from a different system. But it seems a tad bit narcissistic to petition USAG to change the rules because of his Eastern European philosophy.

Nothing is stopping him from running his gym the way he wants to. If he doesn't want his little level 2's competing against older girls, then find some bigger meets to go to where that won't be an issue. Trying to get USAG to change their rules (when there really doesn't seem to be an issue) is going to be a fruitless endeavor.

Yep, totally

 

[Anonymous (031f)]

I genuinely hope this is just some gym airing their opinion, and no one changes a thing. These are KIDS... let each individual gym decide who should compete where.

And I don't say this lightly. We were, unknowingly at the time, in one of those closed minded gyms a few years back. We moved out of state for other reasons, and our DD transferred to a new gym that doesn't think the same way, and we have witnessed girls of ALL ages loving gymnastics and thriving! They are happy, fit, and enjoying the sport! And we rarely see girls quit; only 1 girl has quit team in the past year (across all levels!).

I agree with other posters... don't we want to see girls doing gymnastics and loving the sport regardless of age and path?

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I genuinely hope this is just some gym airing their opinion, and no one changes a thing. These are KIDS... let each individual gym decide who should compete where.

And I don't say this lightly. We were, unknowingly at the time, in one of those closed minded gyms a few years back. We moved out of state for other reasons, and our DD transferred to a new gym that doesn't think the same way, and we have witnessed girls of ALL ages loving gymnastics and thriving! They are happy, fit, and enjoying the sport! And we rarely see girls quit; only 1 girl has quit team in the past year (across all levels!).

I agree with other posters... don't we want to see girls doing gymnastics and loving the sport regardless of age and path?

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I genuinely hope this is just some gym airing their opinion, and no one changes a thing. These are KIDS... let each individual gym decide who should compete where.

And I don't say this lightly. We were, unknowingly at the time, in one of those closed minded gyms a few years back. We moved out of state for other reasons, and our DD transferred to a new gym that doesn't think the same way, and we have witnessed girls of ALL ages loving gymnastics and thriving! They are happy, fit, and enjoying the sport! And we rarely see girls quit; only 1 girl has quit team in the past year (across all levels!).

I agree with other posters... don't we want to see girls doing gymnastics and loving the sport regardless of age and path?

So above you will see what they have posted on the FB page. They are basically saying if your child does not have "high performance" potential, you should move to xcel and leave DP for the "uniquely gifted athletes".

 

[Anonymous (fcbe)]

Seems like this whole issue revolves around awards and someone not getting a medal.

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

Seems like this whole issue revolves around awards and someone not getting a medal.

Yup.

 

[Anonymous (031f)]

So above you will see what they have posted on the FB page. They are basically saying if your child does not have "high performance" potential, you should move to xcel and leave DP for the "uniquely gifted athletes".

I understand and hope it doesn't go through.

My DD was labeled as not high potential because the old gym told us she was too ADHD. New gym saw a talented, hard-working girl that was just hyper. DD is now 9 years old and training skills that I never would have imagined. If the rules change, more girls like her will be punished. DD has enjoyed competing at the lower levels, and is now "back on track" for her age.

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I understand and hope it doesn't go through.

My DD was labeled as not high potential because the old gym told us she was too ADHD. New gym saw a talented, hard-working girl that was just hyper. DD is now 9 years old and training skills that I never would have imagined. If the rules change, more girls like her will be punished. DD has enjoyed competing at the lower levels, and is now "back on track" for her age.

It won't go through. The reason they started all of this was because at the CT level 2 state meet, they didn't separate the girls by age. Looks like there were 50 level 2's, and they put them all in one age group. Which is not the right way to do things. But he should be complaining to CT USAG to make sure there are appropriate age divisions at State meet, not petitioning USAG to make sweeping changes to their entire program.

Because it's worth noting that when the girls were competing in age appropriate groups earlier in the season, he didn't have any issue. It was only after state meet that they started with this nonsense. Seems like he is angry with the wrong people.

 

[Anonymous (7131)]

This gym had one level 8 and no one above that- what makes them experts in how to develop outstanding upper level optionals?

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

This gym had one level 8 and no one above that- what makes them experts in how to develop outstanding upper level optionals?

I don't even see a level 8. I see Bronze, silver, gold, level 2 and one level 6.

Not exactly a great track record. And every level 6 and 8 that he had last year have since left.

I'm sure USAG will roll their eyes at his petition and go on with their day.

I sure hope the parents of his current gymnasts are aware of his history in Romania. I certainly would not trust my daughter with him.

 

[Anonymous (7131)]

I saw one level 8 who competed through last season. Not much of a track record for producing optionals.

 

[Anonymous (c22c)]

I saw one level 8 who competed through last season. Not much of a track record for producing optionals.

That's why the level 2's need all the medals.