Shawn Johnson

[twcpfan1]

Wow, you have to feel for her. I don't know jack about the sport but it's almost like a lot of the reason she lost was because she doesn't look as 'Russian' as the other kid, Nastia Liukin. Liukin just looked like she had the perfect build and the perfect look that with all else being equal, it was going to take her over the top.

Both kids looked like they were in a different class compared to the Chinese kids which begs the question, where is the advantage to being 12 as opposed to 18. Quite frankly the Chinese looked like they were awkward and clumsy because of their youthful look. I think it works against them.

I think what it boils down to is the mindset. The Americans typically aren't as good as the other countries when working together (eg. Ryder Cup). As individuals, they are in a totally different class. That was the story the other night.

Congratulations to Miss Johnson and Miss Liukin. They totally deserve to be the 2 best in the world.

[Favpack]

These judges were looking for artistry over power. Congrats to both. Shawn is all of 16 - her whole life is ahead of her - she could easily compete in London if she chooses. But, yes, the judges simply did not like her style at all. Frankly, I'm less a fan of gymnastics today than I was four years ago. The who China cheating thing, the judges, just too much drama.

[Firebird]

Wow, you have to feel for her. I don't know jack about the sport but it's almost like a lot of the reason she lost was because she doesn't look as 'Russian' as the other kid, Nastia Liukin. Liukin just looked like she had the perfect build and the perfect look that with all else being equal, it was going to take her over the top.

Both kids looked like they were in a different class compared to the Chinese kids which begs the question, where is the advantage to being 12 as opposed to 18. Quite frankly the Chinese looked like they were awkward and clumsy because of their youthful look. I think it works against them.

I think what it boils down to is the mindset. The Americans typically aren't as good as the other countries when working together (eg. Ryder Cup). As individuals, they are in a totally different class. That was the story the other night.

Congratulations to Miss Johnson and Miss Liukin. They totally deserve to be the 2 best in the world.


twcp, from watching last night it seemed as though at every station they mentioned that Liukin had some of the highest "start values" or degree of difficulty in the competition. For instance, they said her father specifically designed her routine on the uneven bars so that she could get about the highest possible scores. So, if that is the case, both of those girls could have performed at the same level, but Liukin would score higher because she had a higher start value. Now, I cannot explain to you what makes one routine more difficult than another, as any of them would result in a broken bone or face plant if I tried to do it.

[Miss Kitty]

What I wonder is, who assigns the "start values".

[KT2000]

I thought Johnson lost the gold medal on the vault. If she had landed that like they said she usually does, she would have won the gold medal. That is one of her specialties, and she didn't nail it.

[Firebird]

What I wonder is, who assigns the "start values".

Miss Kitty, from what I understand it works like this:

There are two panels of judges, one scoring execution and the other the start value.

The judges do note what the gymnast says he will do, but they assign the start value only after the routine is done. Every possible skill or movement that will be performed in the routine is assigned a certain number of points, which is published in the gymnastics handbook. If you want to try a new, original skill you must submit it to the organizing body, and they will decide whether to include it in the book or not. You can also get points for "connecting" two or more skills, a number which is also predetermined depending on what skills you are connecting. That panel of judges watches for every skill that you say you are going to do, and then adds them up to get the start value of the routine. Even if you do it poorly, you still get points, but if you don't do it at all, you do not get the points for that manuever.

It seems to me that the start value judging is the least controversial aspect, as I've really never seen someone complaining that they had a start value given incorrectly. Basically, if you actually do everything you planned to do, there are no surprises with that score. You can figure out exactly what you will get ahead of time by adding up the skills from the book.

[twcpfan1]

twcp, from watching last night it seemed as though at every station they mentioned that Liukin had some of the highest "start values" or degree of difficulty in the competition. For instance, they said her father specifically designed her routine on the uneven bars so that she could get about the highest possible scores. So, if that is the case, both of those girls could have performed at the same level, but Liukin would score higher because she had a higher start value. Now, I cannot explain to you what makes one routine more difficult than another, as any of them would result in a broken bone or face plant if I tried to do it.

I think Nastia had the higher start value on the bars and Shawn on the vault. They both had deductions on their specialty apparatus. It really was a coin toss in the end from where I was standing. Pity somebody had to come second. I hope Shawn keeps going and gets her gold in London.

[Miss Kitty]

Miss Kitty, from what I understand it works like this:

There are two panels of judges, one scoring execution and the other the start value.

The judges do note what the gymnast says he will do, but they assign the start value only after the routine is done. Every possible skill or movement that will be performed in the routine is assigned a certain number of points, which is published in the gymnastics handbook. If you want to try a new, original skill you must submit it to the organizing body, and they will decide whether to include it in the book or not. You can also get points for "connecting" two or more skills, a number which is also predetermined depending on what skills you are connecting. That panel of judges watches for every skill that you say you are going to do, and then adds them up to get the start value of the routine. Even if you do it poorly, you still get points, but if you don't do it at all, you do not get the points for that manuever.

It seems to me that the start value judging is the least controversial aspect, as I've really never seen someone complaining that they had a start value given incorrectly. Basically, if you actually do everything you planned to do, there are no surprises with that score. You can figure out exactly what you will get ahead of time by adding up the skills from the book.

That all makes sense except one thing. They seem to know the start values before the competitions begin. Sort of like a "degree of difficulty" in diving. For instance, in the Men's individual all-around, before it even started, they were talking about how the dude from China already had a commanding lead on the rest because he had the highest start value in every rotation. It seems like they start with a score, and get points taken away for mistakes and what is left is their score. So, I guess they use the handbook you are talking about to determine the start value. I would hate going into a competition knowing someone was way ahead of me before it even started. :(

[Firebird]

That all makes sense except one thing. They seem to know the start values before the competitions begin. Sort of like a "degree of difficulty" in diving. For instance, in the Men's individual all-around, before it even started, they were talking about how the dude from China already had a commanding lead on the rest because he had the highest start value in every rotation. It seems like they start with a score, and get points taken away for mistakes and what is left is their score. So, I guess they use the handbook you are talking about to determine the start value. I would hate going into a competition knowing someone was way ahead of me before it even started. :(

The commentators know what the gymnast is planning to do and so can give you an accurate preliminary value. However, that is not the offical one that gets entered, because you actually have to do the routine to get all of those points. At this level, it's usually not an issue because the gymnast rarely forgets something or doesn't do it. However, I did see once in these games a routine where a gymnast failed to connect two movements and so the official start value given after the routine was slightly lower than the one the announcers told us about.


The mistakes get counted off in the execution score, which is given by a different panel. As long as you do the routine you planned, your start value remains the same, even if you screw it up. You can fall on a very difficult dismount and still get the full start value points for the dismount. The "B" panel will count off for the fall on a separate score. Then the two are added together for a final score.

For me, it woud actually be the only part of competition I could stand. I would have no one to blame but myself for not selecting a set of moves that could get me the highest possible score. No blaming it on the judges.

[tayb]

The commentators know what the gymnast is planning to do and so can give you an accurate preliminary value. However, that is not the offical one that gets entered, because you actually have to do the routine to get all of those points. At this level, it's usually not an issue because the gymnast rarely forgets something or doesn't do it. However, I did see once in these games a routine where a gymnast failed to connect two movements and so the official start value given after the routine was slightly lower than the one the announcers told us about.


The mistakes get counted off in the execution score, which is given by a different panel. As long as you do the routine you planned, your start value remains the same, even if you screw it up. You can fall on a very difficult dismount and still get the full start value points for the dismount. The "B" panel will count off for the fall on a separate score. Then the two are added together for a final score.

For me, it woud actually be the only part of competition I could stand. I would have no one to blame but myself for not selecting a set of moves that could get me the highest possible score. No blaming it on the judges.

My problem was with Shawn Johnson's low execution scores in comparison to the Chinese girl. Difficulty value doesn't effect execution scores and the Chinese girl made three or so more mistakes on the beam than Johnson did and didn't stick her landing (neither did Johnson) but her execution score was slightly higher when in my opinion it should have been at least 3/10 lower.

In retrospect it doesn't matter because her floor routine was so flawless they couldn't even dream up enough points to take away to rob her of silver.

[Miss Kitty]

The commentators know what the gymnast is planning to do and so can give you an accurate preliminary value. However, that is not the offical one that gets entered, because you actually have to do the routine to get all of those points. At this level, it's usually not an issue because the gymnast rarely forgets something or doesn't do it. However, I did see once in these games a routine where a gymnast failed to connect two movements and so the official start value given after the routine was slightly lower than the one the announcers told us about.


The mistakes get counted off in the execution score, which is given by a different panel. As long as you do the routine you planned, your start value remains the same, even if you screw it up. You can fall on a very difficult dismount and still get the full start value points for the dismount. The "B" panel will count off for the fall on a separate score. Then the two are added together for a final score.

For me, it woud actually be the only part of competition I could stand. I would have no one to blame but myself for not selecting a set of moves that could get me the highest possible score. No blaming it on the judges.

I agree, I think I would pile on the high scoring stuff. ha ha ha, easy for me to say sitting on my couch. But honestly, logically it seems the thing to do. Get that score as high as you can and work on execution.

[twcpfan1]

I watched both performances again. Apart from the slight step on the landing on her highest start value apparatus, she nailed everyone of her routines. Liukin did.

Hard to argue with perfection. They got it right.

[Shokkin da wrld]

shawn johnson=my wife :)

[AE 8008]

shawn johnson=my wife :)


she doesnt seem like the mohawk type to me:D

[Shokkin da wrld]

;)oh but she will

[twcpfan1]

shawn johnson=my wife :)

You do know she's the one who came 2nd right? The really young looking one.

[Shokkin da wrld]

hey i dont care lol....hey shes 16 and im 17!!!

[Favpack]

hey i dont care lol....hey shes 16 and im 17!!!

Same ages as Romeo and Juliet...right?

[twcpfan1]

hey i dont care lol....hey shes 16 and im 17!!!

Oh ok. Just making sure you don't have the 2 mixed up :D

[Shokkin da wrld]

huh? lol

[twcpfan1]

huh? lol


Wasn't sure if you thought Nastia was her and vice versa.

NVM. My head hurts :D

[Shokkin da wrld]

Same ages as Romeo and Juliet...right?

lol im 17 haha check my myspace

[Shokkin da wrld]

Wasn't sure if you thought Nastia was her and vice versa.

NVM. My head hurts :D

nastya's name says it all

[Firebird]

nastya's name says it all

If you see this and think "nasty" then it's time to hand in your straight card:

http://www.nastialiukin.com/photos/08trials/finals/pic071.jpg

[hunterbunter]

firebird im with you on that one

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb307/xcgbxcorex/nastia%20and%20shawn/18.jpg

[Firebird]

I mean....sure, hotness is all relative. I can see the debate between Sacramone and Liukin,but calling her "nasty" means you have some vision problems.

[hunterbunter]

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l85/mommycpa/Lauraandgymnasts.jpg

[hunterbunter]

I mean....sure, hotness is all relative. I can see the debate between Sacramone and Liukin,but calling her "nasty" means you have some vision problems.

i think he meant nasty in a good way, like...grrrrooooowwwl

[BDB]

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l85/mommycpa/Lauraandgymnasts.jpg

the answer is:

yes, yes, yes, hell yea, and twice on sudays ;)

[hunterbunter]

Nasty Nastia still falls short for hotness compared to...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e180/RuthJudson/US%20Classic%202007/c7bras01.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/Benson92/n625466211_959965_8492.jpg

:D

[Firebird]

the answer is:

yes, yes, yes, hell yea, and twice on sudays ;)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/Ethired/1184367762037.jpg

Some of those people are college students....some are sophomores in high school......

[BDB]

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/Ethired/1184367762037.jpg

Some of those people are college students....some are sophomores in high school......

ay im 2 years older then shokkin...don't look at me like that...

[hunterbunter]

the answer is:

yes, yes, yes, hell yea, and twice on sudays ;)

was that twice on sundays for the dude with the grey pants?? :D

[BDB]

was that twice on sundays for the dude with the grey pants?? :D

forgot about ol' grey pants...that's 3 times with a water break imbetween ;)

[drgnbkr]

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l85/mommycpa/Lauraandgymnasts.jpg

Oh My......:eek:

[Shokkin da wrld]

Nope Nope Nope....shawn Johnson!!!!

[AE 8008]

im sure these fine young women have wonderful morals and a great personality


in the words of Michael Scott "i dont care about the swimsuit (or gymnastics in this case), i care about whats under neath it" :eek::D

[hunterbunter]

I wonder who's banging sacramone at the olympic village

[BDB]

I wonder who's banging sacramone at the olympic village

bob ross