Former Romanian head coaches Daymon Jones and Patrick Kiens join us to unpack the turmoil inside Romanian gymnastics — from new accusations to decades-old coaching culture and leadership struggles. Plus: what we learned from the 2025 Jakarta World Championships and our wish list for future World Championships. And a happy message from Rings World Champion, Donnell Whittenburg. Find Resistance Resources here.
CHAPTERS - pre auto-ad insert
– Intro Cold Open: Romania abuse reports surface
– Headlines: Romania context (Golgota, Voinea, leadership turmoil)
– Interview: The Romanian Situation with Daymon & Patrick – Abuse allegations and what coaches witnessed firsthand – Old-school culture, leadership failure, and bad press
– Federation power dynamics, elections, and fallout
– Updates & programming notes
– Jakarta Worlds Debrief: Overall medal table (WAG/MAG highlights)
– China's event-specialist strategy (7 routines, 3 medals) – Judging parity: Melnikova's AA score & floor 14 club
– Selection & pipeline fixes (camp vs real meets)
– Who needs a reset? USA, Italy & Brazil post-Olympics
– FIG talk: host selection, logistics & equipment issues
– Gymternet News: Canada CEO, Arthur Gander results, Liverpool 2030 bid
– Listener feedback & notes
UP NEXT:- Behind The Scenes: Live Q&A podcast Friday this week only at noon Pacific/8 GMT
- World Championships HeadquartersVideos, Interviews, Podcasts, Fantasy, Guides from Jakarta World Championships
- Trouble in Romania
- The History of Romanian Gymnastics (Commissioned)
- 80's Fight! The great Soviet Romanian Rivalry (Commissioned)
- The Fluff Cast: Deva isn't a castle?!
- Behind The Scenes: Back from Jakarta
- Eythora Thorsdottir and Coach Patrick Kiens
- Behind the Scenes - all episodes
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- Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
- GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
- Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
- The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker. Aimee coached Simone from day one in gymnastics to three back to back World All Around titles, 14 world medals and an unprecedented 5 medals at the Rio Olympics. Get your copy now. And if you loved it, please leave a review.
Cover Art & Photos: Steve Cooper ©Gymcastic
