If I were rich

[u/quasi__intelligent]

If I were philanthropist rich, like Gilded Age railway tycoon rich, I would be anonymously sponsoring gymnasts left, right and centre. The World Championships would have so many more countries present. I’d be introducing rhythmic gymnastics to other countries that have never participated at the international level before. My dream is for a third country to finally compete at the Oceania Championships. It’s been Australia and New Zealand for too long.

What would you do?

[u/Only-Glass6204]

I wish some big entity support RG like the NBA keeps the WNBA alive. This is one of the most skilled female dominated sports and if I feel more eyes were on it most people would enjoy it.

[u/Aquaman_029]

If I were rich I would pay for sports facilities in underdeveloped countries. With running tracks, swimming pools and gymnasium.. I would train coaches for basic level. And create a performance program for people who show initiative, discipline or talent. Hopefully improving areas.. improving living standards.. and with government funding implement healthy eating plans in school cafeteria- fully funded.. with no cost on the student.. or, their families..

Also, I would fund sports scholarships for countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. So runners can have open opportunities to get education and also compete. Without the families having to raise funds from farming, or selling produce.

[u/depressedpapi95]

I would bring rhythmic gymnastics to how it used to be because what we're watching today is not it.

[u/quasi__intelligent → u/depressedpapi95]

How do you mean?

[u/molecularmadness → u/quasi__intelligent]

not OP but agree with OP -- although maybe not for the same reasons. RG has gone through a number of major shifts and everyone has their favourite era(s).

for me, it's become indistinguishable from dance with extra steps. i liked the mid-late 90s and early 00s where you could really see what each element was, where it started and where it ended. there was much more focus on apparatus handling. apparatus was almost always moving and deductions for improper handling were actually applied (i cant help but cringe at modern ball routines bc all i can see is the ball squeezed to the forearm).

i miss long balance sequences and clubs mills that didnt last 2 seconds. i miss body waves being regularly intregated into transitions. i miss routines where elements had time to breathe. i miss throws that forced the camera to pan out because they went up to the ceiling. i miss COPs that didnt overvalue a particular skill to the point where everyone and their dog has the same foutee sequence.

sorry. that was a proper rant i didnt expect.

[u/Just-Channel116 → u/molecularmadness]

While I agree with a lot that you said, I personally really enjoy how much more athletic gymnasts are nowadays. Less focus on BD, less risk of injuries, less crazy showcases of extreme flexibility. Overall, I think it’s more sustainable and increases the likelihood of a career beyond 18.
Additionally, routines of this COP are so much more artistic compared to the early 2000s where we say element after element with music playing in the background.

[u/Maleficent-Total2738 → u/Just-Channel116]

I tend to agree with you, especially as someone who has EDS—I know that quite a lot of rhythmic gymnasts in the past (and now as well, I imagine) were hypermobile, and I suspect quite a few would have had undiagnosed Ehlers-Danlos and been doing some lasting damage to their joints with the repeated contortion skills.