MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

The American Cup has long been regarded as a breeding ground for America's next Olympic darling. Mary Lou, Nastia, Shawn, Jordyn, Gabby, do I need to continue? This is among the many reasons that the American Cup is called the "Scam" Cup on the gymternet. Remember the year that what, five or six American girls were among the 8 or 9 girl field? Occasionally, a non-American athlete will triumph and earn the top sport on that  podium. Here are 5 athletes who did just that.

More podium training goodness from the American Cup, this time from the delightful Ebee Price.

With the American Cup only a day and a half away,  USA Gymnastics has posted great videos of the American athletes during podium training.

More sad news. The Women's Gymnastics team at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is on the verge of being cut.

This is too funny. UCLA Athletics posted this funny video of the gymnastics team playing Trivial Pursuit.

Simone Biles has withdrawn from the American Cup field, according to USA Gymnastics. Per USAG, Simone had been nursing a shoulder injury had aggravated it at the National Team camp this week.

Updated: Simone Biles has withdrawn and Brenna Dowell is her replacement. I'll consider the responses that have already included Simone in the final results. It's survey time again! With the American Cup only a week and a half away, it's time to pick the next set of winners.

2014 will be the year of Ebee.

Over the weekend, the University of Oklahoma won the Metroplex and took the top ranking in Women's NCAA gymnastics with a score of 198.175 just beating out the Lousiana State University Tigers with 197.875.

There is now video evidence of Russia's Viktoria Komova back in training. Viktoria, who did not compete last year due to injuries and an unfortunate bout of viral meningitis, is looking much taller, obviously having grown in her time off.

Nastia Liukin has been playing around Sochi while doing features for NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics.

At 33-years-old, Romanian gymnast Marian Dragulescu is making a go for Rio.

Dear Bruno Grandi, Nellie Kim, FIG, et all, Yesterday, the USA took all of the podium spots in the men's slope style skiing competition. What does this have to do with gymnastics you say?

Jordyn Wieber is an incredible athlete. The girl is so tough, Superman is jealous of her. (She doesn't need to be from the planet Krypton to have the ability to fly!)

For the second year in a row, Peyton Ernst has been selected to represent Team USA at the Tokyo Cup this April.

Valentines Day is this Friday. If you haven't already gotten your loved ones gifts, or your just running out of ideas, here are some fantastic (and hilarious) gymnastics valentines featuring all of your favorite gymnasts, courtesy of Tumblr.

After missing out on last year's worlds due to injuries, Madison Kocian is showing everyone she is a contender.

Maggie Nichols has been upgrading her skills on the bars.

Gymnastike's popular web series, Beyond the Routine  is debuting the latest series this month. The subject of the newest subject is a former world all-around champion, a member of the 2003 World Championship team that brought home the first ever world team gold. She's also an Olympian, and has recently reinvented her gymnastics life. Have you figured out who it is yet? She was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team in Beijing... She was a world champion on the uneven bars.... If you haven't figured it out yet, you never will.

Aliya Mustafina said today in a live VK chat with her fans that she will miss the Russian Championships this year.

I've been a complete slacker this week on the blogging. But, when you come down with a cold, your priority is getting better. Anyways, I am doing my usual Tumblr trolling for things to blog about. I found this GIF of the glorious Sandra Izbasa on the floor exercise during the world championships in Antwerp, working it in her floor routine.

Gymnastics has found a way to infiltrate the Super Bowl. 1984 Olympic All-Around Champion, Mary Lou Retton was featured in a commercial for Radio Shack and their rebranding effort.

The long awaited Gabby Douglas has aired. There was laughter, there was tears and most importantly, triumph! Knowing this is a made for TV movie, I have to admit, my expectations were very low. Did this meet or exceed my expectations?

Kennedy Baker may have recently retired from elite gymnastics, but that doesn't stop her from playing around with elite skills.