rn~[B~ EDITORIAL
Publisher Mike Jacki Editor Michael G. Botkin Consulting Editor Rich Kenney Event Consultant Allison Cummings Rhythmic Consultant Nora Hitzel UNITED STATES GYMNASTICS
' 3
.,
.
-'::'1
FED~RAT~ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Execu~ve DU"ector: MikeJacki. Athlete Repre-
sentatives: Lydia Bree; Peter Vidmar; Linda Kardos; Tom Beach; Kathy Johnson ; Tim Daggett; Kelly Garnso!'. Amateur Athletic Union: Jerry Hardy. Amencan Sokol Organization: Norma Zabka. American Turners: Harry Warnken. Members. at Large: Linda Chencinski. NCAA Gymnastics Coaches-Men: Fred Roethlis!>.erger, University of Minnesota. NCAA GymnastiC!;; Coaches-~omen: Judi Avener, Penn State Un\Verslt~. National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges: Dale Brown. NCAA: Sylvia Moore, Oregon State University; Gail Davis, Rhode Isla nd College; Jerry Miles, c/o NCAA ; Wayne Young, Bngham Young University. NAIA: Bon~'lle Morrow. NHSGCA: John Brinkworth. Na~ona1 Federation of State High School Athl!,tic Assoc.: Sharon Wilch; Susan True National Jewish Welfare Board: Courtney Shanken. NJCAA: D.ave Rowlands, Truman College. NGJ;-\: ~Ike MlhdoDlS. USAIGC: Ed Knepper. Me~ s Ehte Coaches Assoc.: Jim Howard, University of Nebraska. USECA for Women: Roe ~reutzer; Steve Whitlock. Young Men's ChristIan Assoc.: Cliff. Lothe~. Jr. J;l0Y's Gym. Coaches A80C.: Rich BOCCia. PreSident: Mike Donahue. U .S. Acro-Sport Federation. . EXECUTIVE COMMITIEE: President: Mike Donahue. Secretary: Judi Ave~er. Vice President: Jim Howard. Executive Director: Mike Jacki. FIG Technical Committee: Jackie Fie. FIG Rhythmic Technical Comm:: AndrÂŤ;a Schmid. FIG Men's Technical COmmlttee: Bill Roetzheim. Vice President for Women: ~ue Ammerman. President Emeritus: Bud Wilkmson. Athlete Representatives: Kathy Johnson; Peter Vidmar; Larry Gerald. Members at Large: Mike Milidonis; Linda Chencinski. ASSOCIATE CONTENT EDITORS SPORTS MEDICINE COMMITrEE: Merrill A. Ritter, M.D. Frank A. Pettrone, M.D. J ames J . Campbell , M.D. SAFETY COMMITIEE: Dr. Marc Rabinofl' EDUCATION COMMITrEE: Dr. Garland O'Quinn BIOMECHANICS COMMITrEE: Dr. Marlene Adrian,Director
SPORTS PSYCHOWGY COMMITrEE' Dr. Keith Henschen, Ph.D. . EXERCISE PHYSIOWGY COMMITrEE' Dr. Pat Eisenman, Ph.D. .
Unless expressly identified to the contrary, all artleies, statements and views printed herein are attributed soley to the author and the United States Gymnastics Federation expresses no opinIOn thereon and assumes no responsibility thereof. .
Defining Olympianism
you
By Mike Jacki USGF Executive Director perhaps have heard about, or watched, the news reports that show the unrest and turmoil in South Korea. Maybe it should be expected. Afterall, we are planning to conduct the Olympic Games there in September of 1988, and what better stage on which to bring issues and conflicts of people and countries to the media than the greatest of all sporting events. We have even had aspiring political candidates throw in their t~? cents worth to make their pohtI~al statements and try to capitahze on the world's attention to the upcoming Olympics. I suppose we will have the PTL trying to sign on as an official sponsor! We all know boycotts do not accomplish anything. It is getting very frustrating having "everyone else" determine if the athletes should compete in the Olympic Games. This problem transfers into additional conflicts during the "off-Olympic" years . We simply fall prey to politicians, bureaucrats and governments. They have no need or concern for sport other than to exploit it and use it for their own personal and political advantage. As we approach the Olympic year, we once again must analyze the entire concept of Olympianism. It seems that the original concept of the Olympics is simply being wrongfully used and is becoming more and more misunderstood. Countries are using the Games for springboards for their propagandistic endeavors. They look at the Games as a way to gain prestige and prominence in world markets as well as providing a platform for their political beliefs. Perhaps the International Olympic Committee needs to reevaluate and restructure its entire
5
selection process. Can we afford to place the Games in the hands of governments or private organizations whose first concern may not actually be the conduct of the Games and the athletes? Perhaps th IOC should be solely responsible for running the Games and not turn them over to governments or private organizations. Perhaps the IOC could "borrow" a country's f~cilities and run its own OlympICS. Maybe we should consider a permanent site; a place that can lend stability to the Games. Perhaps we can eliminate the continual affect of a country's internal politics which, in some cases, can drastically change overnight. . We can discuss so many Issues and problems associated with the Olympic Games and, at the end, never identify the reason the discussion took place. Why do the Olympic Games get, and deserve, so much attention? The answer is simple: In all that exists i?- our world, there is no single entIty that has more of a global impact toward world peace than the Olympic Games. For this reason if for no other, the Games must be preserved. The Olympic Games represent everything that is good: friendship, dedication, persevera?-ce, pride, sacrifice, compassion, VIctory and understanding. It is the one time, every four years, when the world has a fair arena in which to compete, and nations can come together on equal terms under one flag. The Olympic ~ames represent the highest Ideals of people and nations. If we lose it, we lose something far greater than a sporting event, we lose the final grasp at world peace. The concept of Olympianism should touch everyone. It is a spirit that touches everyone, not just athletes but people and nations. It is critical to future generations that the Olympic Games continue and the flame burns bright in everyone.