So I promised I would add some videos of Alex performing, and I just stumbled upon a recent video of her (from August 3rd). The video was taken place in the Sport Seneca gym where I used to train 6 days a week...and even my former coach who used to weigh us practically everyday, was interviewed! Quite shocking to hear her voice so suddenly, after 10 years. She still looks the same though.
Anyways, this blog IS about Alex and not any other past turmoil. =) The Olympics start in 3 days and I'm so excited!
It also happens that she was picked as the Sexiest Female Olympian competing at the Beijing Games, from an internet magazine list of 50, beating out Russian tennis star, Maria Sharapova!
Thanks to Alex, rhythmic gymnastics is finally making a better name for itself.
I've been hearing rumours. Now it seems that it's partly true.
The sport school where I've grown up, spent hours training, met some of my best friends, and practically lived 9 years of my in, is closing - partly. I went to Sport Seneca, a place for Elite athletes, from 91 - 99. It's separated into three different areas: skating, artistic gymnastics, and rhythmic gymnastics. I started out in skating, then moved to pre-elite gymnastics and then finally decided to stick to rhythmics.
While on Facebook, I kept reading how Seneca was closing, which I really couldn't believe since it was so successful. As a place for training Elite athletes, it brought up many athletes who participated in World and Olympic competitions, including myself. So I finally decided to do some research on my own and came up with the following article:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/russell/column_080225.html
http://www.intlgymnast.com/news/2008/feb/020708_seneca.html
I find it quite sad that the only reason being for the close, is lack of finances. There has always been a problem with funding rhythmic gymnastics in Canada, but for it to be a problem for Sport Seneca's artistic program is really unbelievable, after reading the following quote from IG News:
The coaching duo over the past three decades, including Olympians Monica Covacci, Luisa Portocarrero and Michelle Conway and world team members Koyuki Oka, Leah Homma, Lydia Williams and Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs.
I wish all the best to both Carol and Brian, and hope that someday, Sport Seneca will produce more World-class artistic gymnasts.
So I promised I would add some videos of Alex performing, and I just stumbled upon a recent video of her (from August 3rd). The video was taken place in the Sport Seneca gym where I used to train 6 days a week...and even my former coach who used to weigh us practically everyday, was interviewed! Quite shocking to hear her voice so suddenly, after 10 years. She still looks the same though.
