Former Romanian head coaches Daymon Jones and Patrick Kiens join us to unpack the turmoil inside Romanian gymnastics — from new accusations to decades-old coaching culture and leadership struggles. Plus: what we learned from the 2025 Jakarta World Championships and our wish list for future World Championships. And a happy message from Rings World Champion, Donnell Whittenburg. Find Resistance Resources here.

CHAPTERS - pre auto-ad insert

00:00:00 – Intro Cold Open: Romania abuse reports surface

00:03:36 – Headlines: Romania context (Golgota, Voinea, leadership turmoil)

00:10:02 – Interview: The Romanian Situation with Daymon & Patrick 00:10:34 – Abuse allegations and what coaches witnessed firsthand 00:20:15 – Old-school culture, leadership failure, and bad press

00:31:13 – Federation power dynamics, elections, and fallout

00:41:28 – Updates & programming notes

00:45:17 – Jakarta Worlds Debrief: Overall medal table (WAG/MAG highlights)

00:49:16 – China's event-specialist strategy (7 routines, 3 medals) 00:51:54 – Judging parity: Melnikova's AA score & floor 14 club

00:55:51 – Selection & pipeline fixes (camp vs real meets)

01:06:44 – Who needs a reset? USA, Italy & Brazil post-Olympics

01:24:11 – FIG talk: host selection, logistics & equipment issues

01:32:02 – Gymternet News: Canada CEO, Arthur Gander results, Liverpool 2030 bid

01:36:56 – Listener feedback & notes

UP NEXT:

• Behind The Scenes: Live Q&A podcast Friday this week only at noon Pacific/8 GMT

RELATED:

• World Championships HeadquartersVideos, Interviews, Podcasts, Fantasy, Guides from Jakarta World Championships
• Trouble in Romania
• The History of Romanian Gymnastics (Commissioned)
• 80's Fight! The great Soviet Romanian Rivalry (Commissioned)
• The Fluff Cast: Deva isn't a castle?!
• Behind The Scenes: Back from Jakarta
• Eythora Thorsdottir and Coach Patrick Kiens

• Behind the Scenes - all episodes

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

• Join Club Gym Nerd: https://gymcastic.com/club/
• Headstand Game: https://gymcastic.com/headstand-plugin/
• Forum: https://gymcastic.com/community/
• Merch: https://gymcastic.com/shop/

NEWSLETTERS

• Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters

RESOURCES

• Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation
  • GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links.
• Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim
• The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker. Aimee coached Simone from day one in gymnastics to three back to back World All Around titles, 14 world medals and an unprecedented 5 medals at the Rio Olympics. Get your copy now. And if you loved it, please leave a review.

Cover Art & Photos: Steve Cooper ©Gymcastic