Welcome to Unpaid Spokeswomen, a column where we log what we’ve been into this week. Behind the wigs, makeup, costumes, and several layers of irony, we are two humans who genuinely enjoy doing things. Here is a weekly roundup of our unfiltered expert recommendations.
Rhythmic gymnastics is a brutal sport. I haven’t seen this documentary, but I fully understand its topic. In addition to tremendous physical exhaustion, these girls also have to deal with unrelenting psychological pressure. I guess this is true for every sport, but there is something particularly vicious here, because they all look like graceful angels so the ugliness behind the scenes is in very stark contrast with the fancy front.
Here is a little story.
So some rhythmic gymnasts compete individually and others compete in teams of five. The teams is where this gets truly unhinged, because the choreography gets more and more complex each year and you as a viewer can hardly follow what is happening within 2-3 minutes. It’s insane. Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics has always been on world class level, as evidenced by the fact that they took the gold in Japan this year. Here is the full final - Bulgarians do their routine around 28 minute in.
By the way, the Russians placed second and their leadership apparently was so outraged with this result, that reportedly back home it was decided to gold plate their silver medals – FULL insanity!
But my little story is about the previous Olympic Games in Rio, August 2016. Two months earlier, in June 2016, the Rhythmic gymnastics European championship took place. The Bulgarian team was in third place in both these events. This is an accomplishment higher than any gold medal, because literally 3 days before the beginning of the European championship one of the girls on the team “fell” off the balcony of her apartment. At least this is the official version and everyone is sticking to it. The girl survived but was between life and death for a long time. And in the face of this breathtaking tragedy the Bulgarian RG leadership in their infinite wisdom decided that THE TEAM WILL STILL COPMPETE in the European championship and then in the Olympic Games!! This was technically possible because there is always a sixth girl ready to step in, but, MY GOD, can you imagine it? Your team mate and close friend very nearly dies and under that kind of pressure, you still are expected to perform and push yourself and show good results. The Olympic Games I can understand to a degree – they were two months away and they only take place every four years. But European championship???? That happens every fucking year! And they only had three days to deal with this trauma! They couldn’t skip one year?!?!!?
Anyway, this is my little rant. It’s a beautiful sport to look at, but all I can think about is what it takes for the girls. It can break your heart.
Trixie: I wholeheartedly approve of the UK food slander. Sorry to our friends across the pond! The best things to eat in the UK are foods that didn't originate from the UK (Indian, Turkish, etc.) and there are only so many times you can eat fish & chips or a full English breakfast. Pret is great for something quick! I would say EAT is a pretty good option too.
Katya: I love the gymnastics deep dive recommendations! You're really living up to your namesake. After the Olympics I've been going down YouTube rabbit holes watching old routines so I'll definitely check these out.
There was an amazing podcast series done about the Sydney gymnastics debacle - Blind Landing, and it includes interviews with the gymnasts and their coaches. It's really interesting and digs deep into one of the biggest crap show to ever happen at the olympics
Rhythmic gymnastics is a brutal sport. I haven’t seen this documentary, but I fully understand its topic. In addition to tremendous physical exhaustion, these girls also have to deal with unrelenting psychological pressure. I guess this is true for every sport, but there is something particularly vicious here, because they all look like graceful angels so the ugliness behind the scenes is in very stark contrast with the fancy front.
Here is a little story.
So some rhythmic gymnasts compete individually and others compete in teams of five. The teams is where this gets truly unhinged, because the choreography gets more and more complex each year and you as a viewer can hardly follow what is happening within 2-3 minutes. It’s insane. Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics has always been on world class level, as evidenced by the fact that they took the gold in Japan this year. Here is the full final - Bulgarians do their routine around 28 minute in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPmIFhfrBJc&ab_channel=OlympicsGymnastics
By the way, the Russians placed second and their leadership apparently was so outraged with this result, that reportedly back home it was decided to gold plate their silver medals – FULL insanity!
But my little story is about the previous Olympic Games in Rio, August 2016. Two months earlier, in June 2016, the Rhythmic gymnastics European championship took place. The Bulgarian team was in third place in both these events. This is an accomplishment higher than any gold medal, because literally 3 days before the beginning of the European championship one of the girls on the team “fell” off the balcony of her apartment. At least this is the official version and everyone is sticking to it. The girl survived but was between life and death for a long time. And in the face of this breathtaking tragedy the Bulgarian RG leadership in their infinite wisdom decided that THE TEAM WILL STILL COPMPETE in the European championship and then in the Olympic Games!! This was technically possible because there is always a sixth girl ready to step in, but, MY GOD, can you imagine it? Your team mate and close friend very nearly dies and under that kind of pressure, you still are expected to perform and push yourself and show good results. The Olympic Games I can understand to a degree – they were two months away and they only take place every four years. But European championship???? That happens every fucking year! And they only had three days to deal with this trauma! They couldn’t skip one year?!?!!?
Anyway, this is my little rant. It’s a beautiful sport to look at, but all I can think about is what it takes for the girls. It can break your heart.
Trixie: I wholeheartedly approve of the UK food slander. Sorry to our friends across the pond! The best things to eat in the UK are foods that didn't originate from the UK (Indian, Turkish, etc.) and there are only so many times you can eat fish & chips or a full English breakfast. Pret is great for something quick! I would say EAT is a pretty good option too.
Katya: I love the gymnastics deep dive recommendations! You're really living up to your namesake. After the Olympics I've been going down YouTube rabbit holes watching old routines so I'll definitely check these out.
My mom was a gymnast. The shit they put you through is truly criminal.
There was an amazing podcast series done about the Sydney gymnastics debacle - Blind Landing, and it includes interviews with the gymnasts and their coaches. It's really interesting and digs deep into one of the biggest crap show to ever happen at the olympics
A Christy from Intervention reference?! I may never recover.
You guys. Reconsider the whole thing. gooped is the depository of the worst that you have ever shared.