The gymnastics world is in a FIRESTORM after the Secret U.S. Classics in Chicago over the weekend. In case you have been living under a rock, I’ll try to bring you up to speed on the first scandal of the 2012 season.
After the Classics meet, It was announced that World Champion and Olympic gymnast, Chellsie Memmel’s petition to compete at Visa National Championships next week was denied because apparently, there is a rule that you have to score at least 14.0 if you plan on performing one event in order to qualify to nationals. Well, turns our Chellsie, who is usually a rock in competition, fell twice (almost thrice!) on the only event she was competing; balance beam and was awarded a very low score in the 11 range.
Upon hearing her petition was denied, there have been accusations flying around all over the gym world, everything from “Well, if Nastia fell on beam, she would be accepted” to “Marta is just getting revenge on Chellsie because she skipped concentration verification camps” to “Chellsie nor her dad and coach Andy knew nothing anything of this rule, Marta is just being a dictator making up rules as she goes along.” Um.. DRAMA!! YIKES!!!
There have been petitions, and petitions to petition the petition here there and everywhere, and even gymnasts like Shawn Johnson and Paul Ruggeri signed in solidarity with letting Chellsie compete, and go out on a good note instead of this sour, off-key note.
In my opinion, I’m a little conflicted; On one hand, she is a legend in the sport, so there should be exceptions, but on the other hand, if they make an exception for Chellsie (who has been battling injuries for a while), should they also have to make one for Casey Jo Magee for her petition was also denied. Would it be favoritism if Chellsie was granted a slot? Would it be “haterism” if she wasn’t? What do you guys think?
GymnastHole 