Brief History on Gymnastics

The history of gymnastics dates back to ancient Greece.

The history of gymnastics dates all the way back to ancient Greece. It disappeared in prominence for many centuries before being brought back to life in Germany in the late 19th century. It again became an Olympic sport in 1896 and is now one of the most popular of the summer games events.

Ancient Greeks

Gymnastics, like many current olympic events, dates back to the ancient Greeks. The sport requires strength, agility, flexibility, coordination, fitness and tolerance of pain--all of which the Greeks thought students should have. All Greek schoolchildren took gymnastics, which became an Olympic sport.

Romans

The Roman Empire didn't completely abandon gymnastics, but they transformed it from more of a sport for children and olympic athletes to a training method for soldiers. In the 4th century, the Olympic Games were abolished, which led to gymnastics losing its prominence for many centuries.

German Revival

Two German men, Friedrich Ludwig Jahn and Johann Friedrich GutsMuth, are credited with reviving gymnastics at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century. The men taught physical education and had their students exercise on gymastics equipment including the balance beam, horizontal bar and pommel horse. Jahn is often credited with being the father of modern gymnastics.

Gymnastics Spreads

By the 19th century, gymnastics had spread from Germany into the U.S. and other countries. The sport was again used in military training in the early 20th century. It once more became an olympic sport when the first modern games were held in 1896 in Greece. At the time, it was only a male olympic sport. It became an olympic sport for women in 1928.

Modern Olympics

By 1954, the formats and scoring systems that are still used were in place. The men's competition includes the high bar, rings, floor exercise, pommel horse and vault. Women compete in the vault, floor, balance beam and uneven bars. Olympic gymnastics features both team and individual competition and is one of the most popular sports in the summer games.

Great Champions

Olympic gymnastics have produced some of the most enduring memories in the summer games. Among the countries that have thrived are China, Russia and the U.S. Female gymnasts have won more fame than their male counterparts, with among the most famous being Olga Korbut, Mary Lou Retton and Nadia Comaneci. Kerri Strug's perfect landing off the vault onto a wounded ankle to sew up the gold medal for the Americans in 1996 is one of the most famous moments in the sport's modern history.

References

• Denise Villani: "A Brief History of Gymnastics"

Resources

• USA Gymnastics