WAG Drama at US Classic

[kitkat]

Now I understand why Morgan and Simone never hugged on the podium. Simone hugged Riley but snubbed Morgan twice.
Very very sad. These girls will likely be together on team a few times over the next year and its not professional on either part.
Hope they kiss and make up.
It just looks bad.

 

[MILgymFAM]

Now I understand why Morgan and Simone never hugged on the podium. Simone hugged Riley but snubbed Morgan twice.
Very very sad. These girls will likely be together on team a few times over the next year and its not professional on either part.
Hope they kiss and make up.
It just looks bad.

Would you hug someone who had insulted you and hurt your feelings? I wouldn’t and if Simone had it would probably have been fake. Fake is way worse than their little squabble, in my opinion. They don’t actually have to get along to be teammates- even when they’re in a team comp they’ll still be hoping to beat their teammates- since the US girls compete against each other for the top spots.

 

[Seeker]

With all due respect, it “looked” mostly fine before and was a horror show underneath. While I’d rather things didn’t play out publicly in this way, pretending things are okay when they’re not isn’t good either.

If you watch the podium training video, it’s quite obvious that Simone was not herself. Everyone said she was just nervous, but her face didn’t look nervous to me - she looked sad and defeated. Then it comes out later that this had all gone on behind the scenes, so it makes a bit more sense. It isn’t just what was posted, but that several other girls also liked it; agreeing with the sentiment. Any way you try to slice that, it’s pretty mean and hurtful. It was reported elsewhere (not official, just a comment on some tweet) that Morgan was also visibly upset at podium training so it does seem as if it was discussed face to face. Clearly that didn’t end well.

The other issue that could be influencing this divide is that Simone is the only one that has come back from the group that was revealed to have been abused and not well looked after by the former national team staff. The younger girls wanted Rhonda and the Ranch to stay around; Simone clearly and understandably did not. The generation of gymnasts that endured years of abuse is trying to stand up for the future gymnasts - so that they don’t have to be faced with the same situion. So having a bevy of those same girls come out and and basically tell you that you’re not wanted and agree with a derogatory name hurled upon her by the reigning World Champ had to feel like a hard kick to the gut.

 

[TumbleTimes4]

If you watch the podium training video, it’s quite obvious that Simone was not herself. Everyone said she was just nervous, but her face didn’t look nervous to me - she looked sad and defeated. Then it comes out later that this had all gone on behind the scenes, so it makes a bit more sense.

I completely agree. I noticed she wasn’t herself too and I thought it was more than just nerves. I think most of it is jealousy related and it has to be tough to compete in the same generation as the GOAT. Morgan fell off the beam and dropped to third behind Riley. Simone fell off bars, went out of bounds on floor, wobbled on beam and had a huge step back after vault and still posted the highest AA all season. That’s got to be hard to take if you are competing against Simone.

While I don’t necessarily agree with Simone taking it public, I have zero issues with her not hugging Morgan on the podium. I wouldn’t hug someone that called me a nasty name either. IMO, it would have been worse to be fake.

 

[bookworm]

1. Then it comes out later that this had all gone on behind the scenes, so it makes a bit more sense. It isn’t just what was posted, but that several other girls also liked it; agreeing with the sentiment. Any way you try to slice that, it’s pretty mean and hurtful.

2. It was reported elsewhere (not official, just a comment on some tweet) that Morgan was also visibly upset at podium training so it does seem as if it was discussed face to face. Clearly that didn’t end well.

3. So having a bevy of those same girls come out and and basically tell you that you’re not wanted and agree with a derogatory name hurled upon her by the reigning World Champ had to feel like a hard kick to the gut.

1. Seeker, you totally hit the nail on the head ....Hurd's comment was flat out mean and whether she put in on a "private" instagram, USAG might learn a few lessons from the MLB players who are having their racist, homophobic, and derogatory tweets of their youth coming back to haunt them down the road and advise their National team members about social media use in general, and when directed towards fellow team members. If you wouldn't use that kind of language with your grandmother, it's probably a good idea not to type it onto your Twitter or Instagram .....and add to the fact some of the current crop of athletes "liked" the post ....yeah if I'm Simone, I'm not feeling all compelled to make nice.

2. I'm sure Morgan was shocked if she did indeed get called out on her comment....because she got caught because there's no way to even pretend she was "misquoted" or "misunderstood" as she wrote it herself ....

3. This!! I think Simone actually performed quite well under these circumstances. People have commented that Simone "should have been the adult"; "shouldn't have made any comment "; "expected more of Simone"....but heck, the reigning World Champ called her a B**** on the internet ( albeit a "private setting" but nothing is private on the internet) because the media keeps bringing up her name , and Simone has no control over that ....I'd be salty too

 

[mommyof1]

All I can say is that I will probably be talking about this with my 11-year-old as a concrete example of why you should never, ever write anything that you wouldn't want to end up on the front page of the New York Times. Even in a supposedly private setting.

 

[amiandjim]

All I can say is that I will probably be talking about this with my 11-year-old as a concrete example of why you should never, ever write anything that you wouldn't want to end up on the front page of the New York Times. Even in a supposedly private setting.

I literally had that conversation with my 9 year-old last night. Screenshots can last forever!

 

[TumbleTimes4]

Sounds like it may be more than just the one finsta post. Rumor has Morgan was upset because she was not the face of the meet on posters. She felt it was her right as the reigning world champ and not “an older gymnast who hadn’t been in the gym for years and had accomplished nothing in 2017.” Others have also said Simone was crying in the arena before the meet started. If that’s true, it paints Morgan in a pretty bad light.

Not to take away anything from Morgan because she has worked really hard, but it was in her favor that both Ragan and Larisa were injured and there were major mistakes from other contenders the day she won her title. Sounds like her head is a little inflated and she could use a good dose of humility.

 

[DefiniteMaybe]

I have always advised my kids to assume that ANYTHING written or typed will eventually be read by someone who wasn’t intended to see it.

 

[flippin out]

I’m not sure that I classify (reportedly) 250+ Followers as “private”. Especially when those 250+ are most of Simone’s current fellow athletes. JMO, but That’s not keeping a comment private, private is venting to 1 or 2 of your bff’s.

 

[MILgymFAM]

I’m not sure that I classify (reportedly) 250+ Followers as “private”. Especially when those 250+ are most of Simone’s current fellow athletes. JMO, but That’s not keeping a comment private, private is venting to 1 or 2 of your bff’s.

Since when is talking behind someone’s back better, anyway? That’s my thought anyway.

 

[flippin out]

Since when is talking behind someone’s back better, anyway? That’s my thought anyway.

Who ever said that it was? I was simply stating that I don’t find 250+ followers to be private. And we all have bffs that we vent to (about jobs, family, whatever)......but that posting on instagram to 250 people is not in that category.

 

[Jard.the.gymnast]

I’m not sure that I classify (reportedly) 250+ Followers as “private”. Especially when those 250+ are most of Simone’s current fellow athletes. JMO, but That’s not keeping a comment private, private is venting to 1 or 2 of your bff’s.

Could it be she sent a private message and not really posted it? Still, everything can become public quite easily, but that probably felt private to Morgan

 

[suds]

…eh. Another perspective here… (Disclaimer: I don’t know what transpired between the gymnasts).

Stress brings out the worst in us mortals. Unacceptable words / actions from someone could be predominantly a character flaw, or it could be predominantly a symptom of unacceptable levels of stress – especially long-term stress. Let’s find ways to de-escalate the stress of our elite (and developmental elite) gymnasts.

Suggestions:

1. Have families with their gymnast more during their travels at / for competitions and training
camps (emotional support, a listening ear, social coaching, etc.).

2. Encourage changes that de-escalate stress during training and pre- and post- competition
(music in the USAG training gym anyone ?) .
Find ways, even silly ways, (off camera) for the girls to have fun together each training session.​

Increasing both the level of fun during training and the level of family support does not decrease quality, it increases resilience. It also teaches very important life skills, encourages learning support strategies, and helps take care of the entire person, including both emotionally and socially.

 

[rjb123]

All I can say is that I will probably be talking about this with my 11-year-old as a concrete example of why you should never, ever write anything that you wouldn't want to end up on the front page of the New York Times. Even in a supposedly private setting.

My 12 year old and I had this conversation as it was happening. We watched the stink hit the fan and it was a great lesson about NOTHING is private on the internet!

 

[rjb123]

Just wanted to add, I guess what I keep coming back to is a certain level of shock and disbelief that Simone was SO upset (in tears!) over a post. I mean literally 90% plus middle school kids have the same thing happen to them (granted smaller scale but not really as it can get passed around the WHOLE school). I mean she IS 21, and I guess IME at that point you have pretty much dealt with this kind of nonsense and learned to cope. And at 21 coping by posting stuff all over the internet is frowned on (or at least would have been in my workplace!). So it just is surprising or disappointing. I mean really, had it not been taken public by her, who would have known about it? Why blow it up and create a bigger mess of drama/speculation and focus?

 

[Flyaway]

Just wanted to add, I guess what I keep coming back to is a certain level of shock and disbelief that Simone was SO upset (in tears!) over a post. I mean literally 90% plus middle school kids have the same thing happen to them (granted smaller scale but not really as it can get passed around the WHOLE school). I mean she IS 21, and I guess IME at that point you have pretty much dealt with this kind of nonsense and learned to cope. And at 21 coping by posting stuff all over the internet is frowned on (or at least would have been in my workplace!). So it just is surprising or disappointing. I mean really, had it not been taken public by her, who would have known about it? Why blow it up and create a bigger mess of drama/speculation and focus?

I agree to an extent. My preference would have been for Simone to NOT take it public. But let's be real, that's not the age we live in these days. Moments like these repeatedly remind me of how old I am.

At the heart of it, I think this was a gut punch to Simone. It hit her where she probably feels the most vulnerable - like what was stated above: she's not "in" this group. This tweet by Morgan confirmed that. In addition she's got the weight of being the GOAT. I'm a bit of an emotional person, and if that were me I would be a hot mess - even if it's just a post.

On the other side, I think Morgan also acted out of defense because she was hit where it hurts most too. My speculation is that deep down Morgan fears what was stated above - that she only won world's because the "world's best" wasn't there. That was somewhat confirmed by the lack of attention on her at this meet and then rubbed in her face when all her post-meet questions were about Simone.

Right or wrong, I feel for both girls. Vulnerability is scary, and it can take a lifetime to learn how to manage it in healthy ways.

 

[MILgymFAM]

Who ever said that it was? I was simply stating that I don’t find 250+ followers to be private. And we all have bffs that we vent to (about jobs, family, whatever)......but that posting on instagram to 250 people is not in that category.

I wasn’t clear- I was agreeing that 250 followers isn’t private, but saying I don’t think it would be better if it were far fewer. It wasn’t directed at you, but a common theme I’ve seen is that Morgan was better because it wasn’t worldwide public, but Simone’s was. I just think being sneaky with your pettiness is just as petty. Sorry I quoted you in saying that.

 

[twinmomma]

…eh. Another perspective here… (Disclaimer: I don’t know what transpired between the gymnasts).

Stress brings out the worst in us mortals. Unacceptable words / actions from someone could be predominantly a character flaw, or it could be predominantly a symptom of unacceptable levels of stress – especially long-term stress. Let’s find ways to de-escalate the stress of our elite (and developmental elite) gymnasts.

Suggestions:

1. Have families with their gymnast more during their travels at / for competitions and training
camps (emotional support, a listening ear, social coaching, etc.).

Unless USAG is going to start subsidizing family travel, this is just not an option in most families. It's hard enough to pay for training much less the travel that goes with. And my gymnast doesn't travel as far or as often as the elites, but two to three travel meets a year makes it so I'm taking a bunch of time off of work and making choices on the budget. I can only imagine the costs the elite families have to shoulder.​

 

[kitkat]

I don't disagree. I just didn't understand why the two of them didn't hug. It just makes sense now.

I have to say though - prior to the awards ceremony I was a tad bit disappointed in the pout face that Simone had from falling on bars.
I'm sure its extremely hard as the camera's are rolling, etc. But she looked so mad.

Would you hug someone who had insulted you and hurt your feelings? I wouldn’t and if Simone had it would probably have been fake. Fake is way worse than their little squabble, in my opinion. They don’t actually have to get along to be teammates- even when they’re in a team comp they’ll still be hoping to beat their teammates- since the US girls compete against each other for the top spots.