Two questions: Why do they call it podium training?

[Canadian_gym_mom]

Is that just what it's called or are there more than one type of training session? The other question could be in the question thread but since I saw it on a video of practice for the visa Championships I'll ask here.

There was a girl doing her bars routine and her coach would clap loudly when it was time for her to do a release (I think that's what it's called, when she dgoes from the high to the low bar). Do they do that when they compete too, or is it just a practice thing?

Thanks, sorry if these are silly questions.

 

[MeetDirector]

They call it podium training because when the gymnastics equipment is on the raised platforms (which is not done except for the big meets) they call it "on podium". Competing on these raised platforms is sometimes very foreign to the athletes so they give them extra training sessions. As for the clap to signal the release, it's just during practice.

 

[Canadian_gym_mom]

Thanks very much! (so much to learn, lol!)