"The Secret of Deva"

[ECorn]

Did anyone manage to see/ record this documentary? Apparently it was on at 9pm on 3rd January on Teacher's TV in the UK. It featured 2 gymnasts, one of whom is Raluca Haidu when she was around 9. I can't find videos anywhere online.

Thanks!

[Stephthemagicdragon]

Michaelg managed to capture it and put it up here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FQY1IAUB

[chaoserrant]

An interesting documentary. The one I watched before is about the senior gymnasts but this one is the first I saw about junior ones. I expected the training to be somewhat tough especially as girls get closer to the competition but I must say I am a little worried by the coach guy (toward the end) because he used strong words (de-meaning insults). I am Romanian and I think the translation does not reveal how bad some of his words were.
Now, it is true that even teachers sometime use strong words and students are somehow used not to take them to the heart but I am not sure if this is still safe when dealing with such small children.
Despite the fact that the coach says at some point that he treats them as adults, 10 years old is hardly an age when you can do that. Which means the guy is, let's face it, an *******, for saying this about a 10 yr old. It is a different story when you talk about senior gymnasts (14-16 yr old and above) but at the age of 10 or below they are simply not strong enough to develop the necessary tough skin.
Also the father of the gymnast does not realize he puts a lot of pressure on the child by rumbling on and on about how he will come to see her compete and expect results and all that crap...
Anyway the documentary is still interesting to watch...

[karoliina]

well i have not seen the documentary you are talknig about, but for what i read, treating a 10 years old girl like a 25...is just a mistake!¬¬
i have seen this one in youtube, maybe you too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjYO2y50Qo and the next parts are in related videos

[chaoserrant]

Originally Posted by karoliina

well i have not seen the documentary you are talknig about, but for what i read, treating a 10 years old girl like a 25...is just a mistake!¬¬
i have seen this one in youtube, maybe you too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjYO2y50Qo and the next parts are in related videos

yes I have seen the one on youtube and it reflects more accurately I think the training for the senior team and you can see in that movie a more relaxed interaction between the coach and the gymnasts (although the coach remains severe as it is expected). As I said I don't blame the severity of the coaches. It is in fact a safety issue and that is why there are strict guidelines related to the weight and other aspects. The only problem I had with the coach in the video posted on megaupload is the fact that he uses derogatory words and insults way too strong for a 10 yr old. Like the word "putoare" which in the movie is translated as "lazy slob" but in fact it is way more insulting.

[123camelia]

This great video, thank you for sharing them. I will return to post
the video on this forum and you'll find them great.

[mishmash151]

Originally Posted by karoliina

well i have not seen the documentary you are talknig about, but for what i read, treating a 10 years old girl like a 25...is just a mistake!¬¬
i have seen this one in youtube, maybe you too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjYO2y50Qo and the next parts are in related videos

Thanks for posting, I'd never seen it.

[Teophilus]

There are some parts in this documentary which are just awful, I mean the second coaches for Raluca and Malina are just so mean and have no manners...smoking in the gym and swearing at the girls....they must've been teriffied and the parents of Malina (example) appreciate the coaches for that...in a sport like this, the relations between the coaches and gymnast should be better! Apparently, the first coach of Raluca isn't involved in gymnastics anymore??, so it is quite sad what some of the girls go through...

[the_perfect_16.725]

"what would you do if you couldn't do gymnastics?"

"umm. nothing. perhaps be a shephard."

my favorite moment so far.

thanks so much for posting the megaupload link for this documentary. it's equal parts fascinating and disturbing. my stomach is churning watching it and I feel... off. In the most fundamental developmental time in their lives, they are being taught that they are, essentially, not good enough. Not thin enough, not strong enough, not straight-legged enough. They're also deprived of a steady, constant human physical bond. The moment in the beginning where she is hugged by her coach and just wants to hold on.. keep hugging - it was so telling and sad. The system needs to change. It needs to be healthier. It needs to be about these girls - there is too much pressure, too many decisions made for them and not by them.

[Teophilus]

Indeed that was a funny part! I am so glad that Raluca managed to stay in gymnastics, but I do feel very bad with what happened to Malina. They should make more videos like these!!!!