Gymnastics fans get the inside scoop

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PHILADELPHIA -- Gymnastics fans who’ve come to Philadelphia to watch the U.S. Olympic trials get to listen to running commentary on an in-house radio that’s passed out with the programs. It is provided by an assortment of former gymnasts and spices up the play-by-play with discussions of how they used to handle competition nerves (‘Pee in my pants,’ said Brett McClure. ‘Barf into a garbage can,’ said Blaine Wilson.)

For those of you stuck at home, unable to breathe in the fresh chalk dust (really, it floats like dandruff and settles onto your hair, clothes, computer keyboard, into your water bottle. A week after gymnastics meets I can still taste the chalk dust), there are some other places to get both up-to-date results, commentary and historical background about this crop of gymnasts as well as a look at gymnasts around the world.

The most information-filled publication is by Paul Ziert, a former gymnast and coach, most notably of Bart Conner.

In addition, former U.S. Olympic team members such as John Roethlisberger and Shannon Miller offered running commentary from the men’s and women’s national championships and will offer more on the trials.

-- Diane Pucin