USA bidding for 2015 Worlds: Orlando, Fla. has been announced as the U.S.'s bid for the 2015 World Championships, joining Glasgow, Scotland and Paris, France in jockeying for the sport's most anticipated yearly competition. Nobody seems interested in where Worlds end up in 2013 or 2014, but everyone wants to host the Rio Olympic Qualifier.
Each city has a big star to back its bid -- Glasgow has Daniel Keatings (and possibly fellow Scot Daniel Purvis, whose star is rising) while Thomas Bouhail and former European champion Marine Debauve have been pushing for Paris. The Orlando bid's frontman would logically be the U.S.'s Danell Leyva, who trains at Universal in Miami. (USA Gymnastics)
Gymnastics is popular: According to the organizers of the 2012 London Olympics, gymnastics tickets were more sought after than even tickets to the opening ceremonies. (The Independent)
Oh, Kohei: The two-time World Champion continues to prove he's the very best. Last weekend he did it without even leaving Japan, posting the highest all-around score of his career as he won his fourth Japanese national title by a landslide over Kenya Kobayashi and Kazuhito Tanaka. In the women's division, Koko Tsurumi successfully defended her title, followed by the elegant Rie Tanaka and Yuko Shintake. (International Gymnast Magazine)
Sang Lan's lawsuit: The former Chinese gymnast who became an international icon after she was paralyzed at the 1998 Goodwill Games is suing USA Gymnastics and Time Warner, as organizers of the now-defunct Games. Sang claims she has suffered because there was insufficient insurance for the event. She is asking for $1.8 billion. (Wall Street Journal)
Beth Tweddle to retire: ...after the 2012 Olympics. (Chester Chronicle)
For Russians with love: A look at the women's team sans Aliya Mustafina. (STOI!)
NCAA high bar redux: Blogger Andy Thornton recaps the high bar event final at the NCAA men's championships. (Andy's Angle on American Gymnast)
Gymnastics after tragedy: South Dakotan Karly Brodersen was a rising star whose parents made all the traditional sacrifices so their daughter could continue to train at a high level. Brodersen was in the car when her mother was killed after losing control of her car on an icy road as she drove between their hometown and Sioux Falls, where Brodersen trained. Afterwards, Brodersen struggled to return to the sport that she associated most with long car rides with her mom. A great motivational read. (Argus-Leader)
Brandon Wynn profile: With money quote, "His muscles have muscles." (The Columbus Dispatch)
On Martha Karolyi: Gymnastics bloggers (mostly) have respect. (Gymnastics Examiner)
Kerri Strug update: The 1996 Olympic heroine on marriage, family and what she's up to now. (AZCentral.com)
Rhode Island gymnastics gone: The elimination of women's gymnastics at Rhode Island College has hurt a community the sport's supporters. (The Providence Journal)
Peter Vidmar makes Olympic Chef de Mission: Double Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar has been named Chef de Mission for Team USA for the London 2012 Olympic Games. What does that mean, exactly? Vidmar will "provide overall leadership for Team USA and function as the liaison officer between the London Organizing Committee (LOCOG), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and other National Olympic Committees (NOCs) at the Games." (USA Gymnastics)
Vanessa Atler returns to blogging: The orginial gymnast blogger is now writing about her work as a coach -- and answering any and all questions about her experiences in gymnastics a decade ago. A fascinating read for anyone who lived through the 1996-2000 quad. (From Gymnast to Coach)
China on the rise: The Chinese Gymnastics Blog has a report on the women's national team's internal test, which featured Cheng Fei, as well as photos. (Chinese Gymnastics Blog)
Tim Garrison named Kentucky head coach: After a season of functioning under interim head coach Heather Hite (just a few years out of competing as an NCAA gymnast herself), the University of Kentucky has named Nebraska assistant Tim Garrison as Mo Mitchell's permanent replacement. (University of Kentucky Athletics)
Kayla Hoffman wins Honda Award: Alabama's star senior has won the prize for best NCAA gymnast of the year. She's the sixth Crimson Tide gymnast to do so; others include former Bama stars Penney Hauschild, Dee Foster, Andreé Pickens, Jeana Rice and Ashley Miles. (Al.com)
Jason Butts named West Virginia head coach: Following the retirement of longtime coach Linda Burdette-Good after the NCAA season, the Mountaineers have wasted no time finding a replacement. They didn't have to look far, either -- Jason Butts was Burdette-Good's associate head coach. (MSN Sports Net)
Fabian Hambuechen jumps back into gymnastics: After tearing his Achilles tendon earlier this year, 2009 European all-around champion Fabian Hambuechen is getting in shape on four events and looking forward to aiding the German team at this fall's World Championships. (International Gymnast Magazine)
Ankle injury for Lauren Mitchell: The World floor champion withdrew from the Glasgow World Cup to heal an injured ankle. Mitchell will be in Moscow for the Moscow World Stars meet to perform bars only, but should be 100 percent for the fall elite season, according to Australian National Team Coordinator Peggy Liddick. (International Gymnast Magazine)
Louis Smith profile: One of the best pommel workers in Britain believes that he has the stuff to lead the British men as they go for a team medal in London. First, however, he will have to make the team. (Yahoo Eurosport)
Michigan on the rise: Although at different places in their careers, Kylee Botterman and Sam Mikulak captured two all-around titles for Michigan at the recent NCAA Championships. This story profiles them both. (AnnArbor.com)
One of those amazing stories...: A well-written story on Springfield's Josh Fox, a former Maccabiah Games competitor, who broke his neck after falling from the rings in January. "Don't be alarmed, but I've broken my neck," he texted his parents from the hospital. This piece has a happy ending, but Fox is aware that had things been just a little different, well, things could have been a lot different. (Howard County Times)
Why don't the U.S. women compete in more World Cup meets?: A theory. (Gymnastics Examiner)
Jessica Hogg on London and Glasgow: The Welsh gymnast has coped with her fair share of family heartache and is in full prep mode to make a run at the 2012 Olympics. Unfortunately, when it comes to making the 2012 Olympic team, she has stiff competition from other British gymnasts. (Wales Online)
Stanford season review: A look at the Cardinal's shorter-than-expected 2011 season. (Gymnastics Examiner)
Fun fact: Sarah Patterson's fifth national title with Alabama puts her only one NCAA Championship behind legendary Alabama football coach Paul (Bear) Bryant, who won six. Patterson knows it too -- reporters keep telling her.
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