Injuries happen and what can we learn from Mikulak's absence from 2015 World Championships
Anyone that noticed the lineup for the USA team during the team qualifying round of the 2015 World Championship noticed that a very strong, familiar face was missing. 2015 USA National Champion Sam Mikulak was unable to compete for the United States due to an injury and opportunities came for several alternates as our national coaches scrabbled in order to fill the huge shoes that Sam brought to our team. Immediately, there are ramifications this absence potentially can have leading into the 2016 Olympics in Rio should we not be able to adjust quickly but this scenario also provides our junior athletes a clear and rough lesson that injuries happen....no matter what level of competitor you are or what time of the season it may be.
After the second day of WC, the top 8 teams immediately qualify into the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio De Janiero this next summer. Tradionally, the USA men’s team usually occupies this group of countries that can stay on their normal training pattern they have had for the past quadreniums. But one poorly competed event at WC can lead a country into a dangerous position where countries must compete in an additional competition where the best 5 teams are added to the previous mentioned 8 teams, totally 13 teams to be represented at the Olympics. Currently the USA teams is sitting 5th after several rough events and wonderful pick me up routines by certain individuals to keep USA in the running but by no means are they completely clear of danger. A solid second day of gymnastics will be completely necessary to stay in the coveted top 8 positions and walk away feeling that bullets were dodged.
As educators of young children in the sport of gymnastics, it is paramount that we use this situation as a learning tool for those that don’t quite understand the flexibility one needs to deal with unforeseen situations. Thousands of turns of improvement we perform in the gym sometimes make us feel less vulnerable to life then we are as sport’s athletes or even people. Dealing with an injury isn’t a “if” but a “when” and the comprehensive, top coaches make sure that education of injuries actively take part in the growth of the next generation of athletes in our wonderful sport.
Take some time to point out that Sam clearly didn’t want this situation and nothing may have indicated that this injury was going to happen but the best deal with whatever life sends your way, period. The sooner that you learn this, the better you will deal with the uncertainties gymnastics and life have!