The History of the Gymnastics Gossip Message Board (GGMB)

The good, the bad and the BARTA of it all - Before social media, there was GGMB—the Gymnastics Gossip Message Board. We revisit the influential, informative, bizarre and sometimes deeply toxic message board that helped shape the early gymternet—and GymCastic itself. Plus, the developing Rich Stenger/Cal gymnastics Instagram story, Suni Lee's stolen bronze bust is recovered, we fix Claire Pease's floor construction, and draft dream seven-member Olympic teams.

FULL COMMISSION RAFFLE: This is currently the only way to commission a full GymCastic episode. Entries are $10, enter as many times as you want, and other prizes will be available. Winner(s) drawn in Rotterdam. Enter here.

HEADLINES

• Russian lobbying and financial flows in World Gymnastics
• Developing Rich Stenger/Cal gymnastics Instagram story
• Suni Lee's stolen bronze bust has been recovered
• World Team Camp roster

GGMB: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BARTA

What was the Gymnastics Gossip Message Board? We revisit the scandals, gossip, insiders, bizarre word filters, genuinely valuable gymnastics knowledge and toxicity of one of the early gymternet's most influential communities. We discuss how GGMB influenced GymCastic, why our earliest episodes resembled an "audio message board," what we intentionally left behind and what we kept—including chasing down rumors to find out what is actually true.

MINI-COMMISSIONS

• Fix Her Routine: We attempt to build a smarter, realistically achievable floor routine for Claire Pease.
• Dream 7-Member Olympic Teams: Jessica and Spencer select dream U.S. and international teams using the classic seven-member format.

GYMTERNET NEWS

• Former Rapid City gymnastics coach sentenced to federal prison
• Gymnastics Australia launches its growth blueprint ahead of Brisbane 2032

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Russian Lobbying, Rich Stenger & Breaking News
03:45 – Suni Lee's Head Was Found
07:30 – World Team Camp & Raffle
12:21 – GGMB: The Good, the Bad and the BARTA
36:01 – Updates & Live Show Replay
36:48 – Mini Commission Fixing Claire Pease's Floor Routine
58:21 – Mini Commission Dream 7-Member Olympic Teams
1:19:43 – Dumpster Fire & Gymternet News

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GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES

• GymCastic tools:
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• The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer Barnes' GIF Code of Points
• Gymnastics History: Gymnastics history and Code of Points archive from Uncle Tim
• Resistance Resources