GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast29 Nov 2016

231: The Rise and Fall of Ukrainian Gymnastics

IN THE NEWS

Karla commissioned this episode because she wants everyone "to be able to appreciate the beauty that was Ukrainian gymnastics back when artistry was expected and not shockingly rare." Uncle Tim, Spencer, and Jessica chat about:

Legacy of Champions (4:30)
- Lilia Podkopayeva: that floor routine from 1996 and her beam complete with headspin.
- Tatiana Lysenko and her beam geniusness.
- Larisa Latynina and Victoria Karpenko: floor 1999, 2000 Olympic FX routine first pass disaster, Bulgarian years were a hot mess sauce.
- - Bogdan Makuts and his triple back, Grigori Misutin vault double front with knees together, Oleg Verniaiev.
Favorite Skills (24:31)
- Nina Bocharova on bars.
- Irina Yarotska on beam.
- Inga Shkarupa on floor.
- Baitova's beam mount circles to flairs!
- Yulia Kut.
- Ludmilla Stovbchataya's rainbow sash leotard floor routine with handstand choreography and a backspin.
- Omelianchek's freakin' sissons and Omelianchik vault.
- Natalia Sirobaba handspring front on beam.
- Maria Livchikova amazing power aeriel front on beam.
- The Mirgorodskaya/Krasnianska inverted pike circles.
The Fall (36:50)
- MAG Ukraine 2012 team controversy: no bronze because of Kohei non-handstand dismount on pommel horse protest.
- MAG Ukraine at the 2016 Olympic Games, did not compete a full team on each event in Team Finals.
- Stella Zakharova and the Ukrainian Federation. Her interview here.
- Yana Demyanchuk 2010 beam EF.
The Greatest Gymnast Who Never Won Anything Except Our Hearts! (49:37)
- Anna Mirgorodskaya: smooth and confident 80s beam and innovative bars.
- Olga Roschupkina wins the Everyone Else's Side Flip is Dead To Me Now Award.
- Alyona Kasha gorgeous floor, tumbling and smirk. She also vaulted the rare and illusive laid out handspring front.
- Maria Livchikova and her insane beam.
- Natalia Kalinina 1990 Goodwill Games floor.
The Future (58:25)

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