The Judges Go Off

The Judge Survey This week, we had elite and NCAA judges complete an anonymous survey, and they did NOT hold back. We discuss: Parents offering sexual favors to get their children higher scores Judges getting bribed to adjust scores The deep generational tension permeating NCAA women's judging The politics of changing scores to stay in range with the rest of the panel Judging: Not for the faint of heart. Stories about thrown projectiles, threats of bodily harm, and the very real danger presented by passionate grandparents Judges offer up what needs to change in judging, including deep racial bias from other judges and the impossibility of judging accurately in NCAA The judges sound off on what they get most unfairly criticized for The biggest misconceptions about gymnastics judging—like the importance of lineup order and the alleged subjectivity of judging Plus, the hero child who punched the beam, a spate of judge food poisoning, and an important lesson about why you don't go to the bathroom to complain about the judges JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to Behind the Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Donate grips and tape for Ukrainian gymnasts Donate to family of Alabama volunteer assistant coach in Ukraine To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine on gymnastics, go to Gymnovosti The New Era: Alicia Sacramone Quinn and Chellsie Memmel lead USAG TV's Biggest Gymnastics Fails The Three-Headed USAG Uncle Tim's Mythbusters Athletistry GYMKATA The Leotard Episode: Part Deux