APPEARANCE PLAYS A ROLE IN JUDGING

korbutflip:

fyeahgymnastics:

While I agree that the comments about Shawn’s weight are disgusting (as well as the article that basically praised her because she lost weight, instead of focussing on the real problem) I’m not sure if I agree with the comment about international judges “discriminating” against gymnasts with a certain body type.
First of all, national scores (especially in the US) are much higher that international ones, so if you get a 16 in the US and then a 15.5 at worlds it might not be because the judges hate you, maybe it’s just that they take more deduction for lack of artistry, or feet not pointed and stuff like that, things that nationally are deducted less
Also, usually a typical american gymnast’s body type is very muscolar which often makes her less flexible and that’s where they take a lot of deductions.
But I also think that, for the same lack of flexiblity/artistry/precision, a thin Liukin-like gymnast might get less deductions because she looks more graceful, even if in reality she isn’t, and I guess that’s the point Dawes is trying to make in the article.

I don’t think there is an international stigma against any body type. Cheng Fei and Anna Pavlova are closer in body type to Shawn than Nastia, yet they do well because of their grace and poise, which I feel Americans generally lack. Americans being scored worse internationally is just due to the fact they are scored really high domestically.

(via gymnasticsconfessions)

(via gymnasticsconfessions)

wind-secrets:

vans-and-kiwitans:

crackedmug:

teenagedmistakes:

This was written by a little 6 year old girl. I babysit her and her two sisters - Rebecca and Mia, and before they go to bed they all sit down and write little prayers to God.

This was the one that Hollie wrote last time, and it absolutely broke my heart. I mean, she’s six years old and she thinks she’s not beautiful. That’s not right. But she is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. She’s got golden blonde hair, bright green eyes and a smile so beautiful that you melt a little inside when you see it.

When their mum got home, I showed her Hollie’s prayer, and she was devestated. She’s a nurse so she’s seen a lot of horrible things, but I have never seen her like that. And so I had to do something.

If you’re reading this, and if you have the slightest bit of a heart, please reblog this, so that I can prove to Hollie that she is beautiful, and that she is so special, and that God made her exactly the way she is because He knows that He made her perfect. Please give this beautiful little girl the confidence she deserves.

I’m reblogging this for all those girls out there

(via imgTumble)

this was me when i was 7. and her handwriting is really pretty

(via iprayyouwillseethelight)

(Source: fuckyeahselenagomez, via iprayyouwillseethelight)

(via peac-eful)

pink-starbursts:

lol i wish i could talk to my dog like this :L so funny

(Source: runtodahillz, via talkdontchangeathing)

(Source: dancersaretheathletesofgod)

• me: i'm cold
• guys: shut up and stop complaining
• cute girl: i'm cold
• guys: here take my jacket you beautiful little thing let's cuddle to transfer some heat to your precious little body so you don't get frostbite oh dear lord let this child be warm