GYMNASTICS 2012 OLYMPICS LONDON

I wonder how many of you know that in the 90’s and 2000’s we had three world class gymnast that participate at the Commonwealth games , and the Olympics. ( Lim Wai Chi, Au Li Yen and Ng Shu Wai, to name a few ) How many people know we won silver medal at the Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games.

Perhaps it’s a reflection of a wider perspective and growing frustration at the incomprehensibility of our competition judging structure, but gymnastics in the Korbut and Comaneci days was on the lips of even the most ardent football fan.

We all know that media fame is not the most important thing within sport, but it’s nice to know that you are appreciated for your efforts outside of the immediate gymnastics family. It is also a fact that celebrity status brings its own financial rewards.

The thing is, our gymnasts need some incentive, a carrot dangling at the end of what is a mighty long stick. If we hope to develop a team that is capable of winning medals in London 2012 then this is just one of the problems that must be approached.

“Developing Olympic Champions is like training doctors, it’s expensive, takes time and needs real expertise.”

The real difference though is that doctors can look forward to a commensurate financial reward for their efforts at the end of training.

Coaches are our ‘centers of excellence’ and we need to make sure we have consistent strong funding from now through to 2012.

The definitive point of this statement is that individuals make the difference, whether performers or coaches, and both need to be given every possible incentive and support to reach the Olympic rostrum.

At the moment the incentive to spend 30 hours a week in a gym is pretty much limited to personal ambition. We need young performers to know that there is at least a chance of their efforts being rewarded.

You’re probably thinking that this has all been said before, but we have never been in this position before.

In order for our performers to reap the benefits of any success they may have in 2012 the profile of this sport needs to be raised in the eyes of the public. If the gymnnasts don’t percieve this happening then the incentive to give up everything and go for it is not going to be there.

Whilst many hours are spent agonising over the best way to improve our ranking in the World arena, what strategy does the Malaysian Gymnastics have to improve the standing of our sport in the public domain ?

He who SWINGS is a GYMNAST !