Confusion is mounting over the qualification of the Bermuda Gymnastics Association coaches and the decision to turn down a FIG Level 5 coach attending the Pan Am Gamess after the President of the Bermuda Gymnastics Association was given permission to have the coach attend.
All this has come to light following a story that was full of miss information printed by the local daily about Bermuda Gymnast Sadia Wilson.
Wilson’s parents withdrew her from the Pan Am Games for safety reasons, because of her skill level she required a FIG certified coach. Both Bermuda Gymnastics Association coaches Duke Nelligan and Amanda Baughan, are not FIG Certified coaches. Wilson’s safety would have been compromised significantly! Wilson has learned 15 new advanced skills, she is now a Jr. FIG Elite Level Gymnast and according to her UK coaches she has potential to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
Wilson requires a level 4 or 5 FIG qualified coach according to her British Gymnast License for insurance coverage in the UK. Neither coaches in Bermuda have even obtained a level 1 FIG certification, hence the need for Wilson’s coach to attend the PAN AM Games.
www.islandstats.com has attempted to get answers from the Bermuda Gymnastics Association President Peter James, who has not responded.
Questions put to James included:
1. If the family was asked to pay for Wilson’s coach to attend and permission was granted by the Event Committee, why is it now a problem? 2. When was the decision made to pull Wilson from the competition? 3. Is there still an opportunity for this matter to be resolved as I personally am concerned that a Bermuda athlete is being denied an opportunity to represent her Country because of someone’s concern about integrating someone unfamiliar with the association’s set-up could have been detrimental to the team’s unity and harmony?
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