Nervousness. Excitement. Sadness. Walking on eggshells. These words and phrases describe the whirlwind of emotions that an athlete feels when making the difficult decision to enter the transfer portal. Since its inception, the transfer portal has caused discourse from gymnasts, coaches, and fans alike, but behind the scenes, the process has more to it than fans may realize.
What Is the Transfer Portal?
The transfer portal, in simple terms, is a way for an athlete to let coaches around the country know that they are interested in potentially transferring to another institution. From Aug. 1st, 2021 to July 31, 2022, 49 gymnastics student-athletes entered the transfer portal compared to only 14 the year before. Because of the extra year of eligibility given in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the transfer portal has become more of a normalized part of the athletics experience.
However, speculation can follow an athlete throughout their transfer experience. “When you see someone in the portal, you kind of wonder, why are they leaving? Was there an argument? Were there behavioral problems?” Georgia fifth-year Sandra Elsadek explained. “It’s a double standard [that mainstream sports athletes] can do it, but [gymnasts] can’t because that’s just a bad look.”
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