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It is intersting you make that qualification on what an elite is because many gyms and gymnasts use that terms very loosely. But for purposes of this thread and from what I consider a true elite, it is one that has met the qualifying score at a national elite qualifier. I believe each gymnast has to qualify every year. So, one that has qualified one year is an elite only of that year. They may be referred to as former elites but certainly they are not a current elite. So, to be even more specific, I am referring to current elites eligible to compete at the current years elite meets not elite qualifier. The link below shows what it takes to qualify as an elite:http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/PDFs/Women/ElitePre-Elite/10elitechart.pdf iThat was an intersting thread. Basically it comes down to "How do you define elite?" . Is it everyone who has passed the elite test once or this year? Is it everyone who can legimitally compete for the US internationally? Is it everyone who is training elite? I was suprised at the conversation this question generated. It seems like a simple enough question.
Wow! It certainly seems like a whirlwind for elites. One trains all year for two elite meets (classics) to hopefully make it to championships and then it is back to the drawing board? And for those with Olympic dreams, it almost seems like the lottery. Of the tens of thousands of gymnasts in the U.S., only 6 willhave the opportunity to represent the country and only every four years. All that hard work and dedication. Amazing young ladies.Oh, and someone on the National Team can qualify to Classics or Championships based on their scores at a national team training camp or on an international assignment. Gymnasts who qualify to Visa Championships but do not make the national team usually continue training elite, competing in the occasional elite or Level 10/open session at a meet, with the goal of next year's classics or championships.
Wow! It certainly seems like a whirlwind for elites. One trains all year for two elite meets (classics) to hopefully make it to championships and then it is back to the drawing board? And for those with Olympic dreams, it almost seems like the lottery. Of the tens of thousands of gymnasts in the U.S., only 6 willhave the opportunity to represent the country and only every four years. All that hard work and dedication. Amazing young ladies.
Fuzi, I just wondered, do you know or have heard of any gymnast that had gone through the elite program just to not reach their goals speak out about their experience? Whether it was because they never finished or placed high enough or had an injury. As an outsider, I think many might feel bad for them or sad thinking the gymnast just wasted all that time and money. But I also think some outsiders are missing and forgetting that these gymnasts may have learned great life lessons along the way. Nonetheless, I still am curious if there are a few that have regrets or felt depressed for not achieving a goal. The lives of the most successful gymnasts fall way under the radar. So, for those that don't even get the olympic notoriety, it is hard to follow their lives after gymnatics. Are they happy, healthy and feel fulfilled? Might be a stupid post. But it seems to me gymnastics is so tough that striving to be the best carries with it such a high price that it makes you wonder, what makes it worth it?To make it worse, there will only be 5 members on the 2012 Olympic team.
Fuzi, I just wondered, do you know or have heard of any gymnast that had gone through the elite program just to not reach their goals speak out about their experience? Whether it was because they never finished or placed high enough or had an injury. As an outsider, I think many might feel bad for them or sad thinking the gymnast just wasted all that time and money. But I also think some outsiders are missing and forgetting that these gymnasts may have learned great life lessons along the way. Nonetheless, I still am curious if there are a few that have regrets or felt depressed for not achieving a goal. The lives of the most successful gymnasts fall way under the radar. So, for those that don't even get the olympic notoriety, it is hard to follow their lives after gymnatics. Are they happy, healthy and feel fulfilled? Might be a stupid post. But it seems to me gymnastics is so tough that striving to be the best carries with it such a high price that it makes you wonder, what makes it worth it?
Speaking only from my very limited knowledge, I don't think elite gymnasts only compete at the two classics and VISAs. They also must qualify to the Classic so they usually compete at an elite qualifier meet. They may also compete at several qualifiers, either from necessity or just for the competition experience. Quite a few of the bigger meets have elite sessions (the Buckeye meet comes to mind, along with probably Lady Luck in Las Vegas and the I Love New York meet, Chicago Style, and I am sure there are more). One of our current elites told me she has competed in about 6 meets this season.
Gosh - with every reply to this thread and upon reading the thread entitled "How Many Elite Gymnasts Do We Have?" that was referred to - I have more questions myself!
What does "funded" and "unfunded" refer to?
The world of gymnastics is so interesting!
Thanks in advance for the answer(s)!