Hilarious sporting photo(s) of the week!

US president Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron take on some school kids at table tennis yesterday during the President's state visit to the UK.

Glasgow 2015

Congratulations to Glasgow for winning the bid to host the 2015 Gymnastics worlds, beating out Orlando and Paris. Glasgow was the first city to place a bid for 2015 as it will build on the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Whilst Beth Tweddle has more than hinted she will retire after London 2012, hopefully it will persuade more of the current crop of seniors to stick around for another olympic cycle. It would be great to see Hannah Whelan make 3 olympics!

On a related note,  the Liverpool girls (Tweddle, Whelan, Pinches, Caig, Tunney & Jameson) have won the 2011 British team title. Scores from GymData.

1   - 167.200 - Liverpool

2   - 154.400 - Cardiff Central

3   - 153.850 - Heathrow

4   - 148.850 - Dynamo

5   - 147.600 - The Academy

6   - 147.500 - Notts "A"

7   - 145.350 - Notts "B"

8   - 142.450 - Park Wrekin College

9   - 141.950 - South Durham

10   - 141.850 - Horsham

11   - 140.300 - Europa

12   - 137.700 - City of Glasgow

13   - 136.500 - City Of Manchester

14   - 119.150 - Vernon Park

Two Worlds Decided

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The FIG commitee decided Friday not to move the 2011 worlds from Tokyo. IMHO this was the best decision for all, as the travel risks are mininmal at worst and the people of Japan could definitely do with the confidence boost of hosting a successful sporting event at home.

From there it is onwards and upwards.....to London 2012!

And from there......The commitee also decided to award the 2013 worlds to Antwerp, Belgium. They are also expected to decide the host city of the hotly contested 2015 worlds this weekend (Associated Press)

In other gymnastics news -

Youth Olympic Champion Viktoria Komova has undergone ankle surgery at the same hospital in Germany as Aliya Mustafina.

2 time russian olympian Anna Pavlova further cemented her comeback by winning the senior all-around at the Alexander Dityatin international in St Petersburg. Also a promising young face made an appearance, Nailia Mustafina (younger sister of currently injured world champ Aliya) came second in the junior all-around. Results and report @ International Gymnast.

Also the British Team Championships take place this weekend in Guildford. Full Twist has the list of entries, including Beth Tweddle.

Go Canucks Go!

No, this is not unbiased sports reporting, The Vanouver Canucks are currently leading the Western Conference final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2-1  against San Jose and could do with all the best canadian (and international support). Go Canucks Go!

Russian Stars

 

Russia's newly crowned European Champion, Anna Dementyeva led the medals at the Moscow Stars World Cup, winning gold on beam and floor and silver on bars. Here's a quick summary of the womens medallists.

Report on Double Front, Full results (in russian) here.

Women’s Vault Final

1. Oksana Chusovitina - GER (14.712)
2. Elena Kurbatova - RUS  (13.950)
3. Jade Barbosa - BRA (13.337)

Women’s Uneven Bars Final

1. Jessica Lopez - VEN (14.275)
2. Anna Dementyeva - RUS (14.000)
3. Yana Sikulova - CZE (13.950)

Women’s Balance Beam Final 

1. Anna Dementyeva - RUS (15.100)
2. Ksenia Afanasyeva - RUS (14.200)
3. Yana Demyanchuk - UKR (14.100)

Women’s Floor Final 

1. Anna Dementyeva - RUS (14.525)
2. Ksenia Afanasyeva - RUS (14.200)
3. Jessica Lopez  - VEN (13.850)

Chinese Gymnastics Nationals - The return of Cheng Fei

 

The land of the tiny gymnasts may have a veteran to lead them again.

Cheng Fei, the baby of the 2004 olympic team and the familiar leader of the gold medal winning 2008 Beijing team has made her return to competition at the 2011 Chinese nationals (a first step to world team qualifying).

She is not yet back to full competitive form, but there is definite potential here. At this rate there could be a lot of familiar faces at the 2012 olympics in London.

Komova2012 is posting videos from the championships on youtube.
Results should be posted soon at the Chinese Gymnastics Federation.

Worlds - Kiss and Cry moments!

Igor's words to Alex and Maia were "Don't have a heart attack!"

Tessa & Scott are actually thrilled when they see Alex & Maia's placement rather than their own. 

It's all smiles in the Zoueva/Spilband camp

Less so from french ice dancers Pechalat & Bourzat

Mao doesn't look too disappointed with her 6th place finish. Kanako is thrilled!

Muted enthusiasm from Yuna, nothing muted from Alena!

Even the men get emotional in the kiss and cry.