History of Gymnastics

Introduction

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Over the course of several years and transformations, gymnastics has become one of the most difficult and dangerous sports someone can be apart of. Through the course of history, more and more people around the world were advancing in the sport and competing in the Olympics. What started out as a simple sport that provided simple physical activites has become a formal sport with certain routines that has shaped several talented gymnasts.

Early Gymnastics

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Early gymnastics used to apply to running, jumping, swimming, throwing, wrestling, and weight lifting as early as 146BC by the Romans.

Modern Gymnastics

Jan 1, 1700

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Gymnastics
Johann Friedrich GutsMuths (1759-1839) and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852) created the first apparatuses that were first invented for boys and young men.

Leotards

Jan 1, 1800

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Leotard
A leotard is a unisex, tight piece of clothing that is flexible, thin material that is appropiate for gymnasts and dancers to be able to turn and flip without the clothing being in the way. The leotard was made by a French acrobatic performer, Jules Leotard.

United States Gymnastics

Jan 1, 1830

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History of the Sport of Gymnastics
Due to the rapid growth of the sport around the world, gymnastics was introducted to the United States in the 1830s. Within a few decades, the sport was developing into an international organization.

First World Championship

Jan 1, 1903

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History of the Sport of Gymnastics
The first World Championship competition was in Antwerp, Belgium. Gymnasts from Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands competed in the Championship. This became the first international event after the 1896 Olympics.

Women's Gymnastics

Jan 1, 1928

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World's Gymnastics Championship
Women have only been allowed to participate in the Olympics since 1928. However, since then thousands of gymnastics have reached the elite level and local gymnastics centers have opened for classes and competitive teams.

Larissa Latynina

Apr 1, 1958

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The World Gymnastics Championships
Latynina was born in 1934, curently at the age of 81. She was the first Soviet gymnast to win first place Olympic medal all-around, at the age of 22. During her gymnastics career she won 20 indivdual and team medals.

U.S. Victory

Jan 1, 1984

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Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton was born in 1968. She became the first American gymnast to win the gold, all around medal. Throughout her career she won several medals, as well as winning two world titles in gymnastics.

Men's Gold Team

Apr 16, 1984

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U.S.A Gymnastics
The 1984 Olympics were held in Los Angeles, California. The men's gymnastics team were the first to win the gold medal for the U.S.

Magnificent Seven

Jul 21, 1996

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Magnificent Seven
The 1996 Olympics were held place in Atlanta, Georgia. The Magnificent Seven were the first women gymnasts to win the team gold medal for the United States.

2008 Olympics

Aug 10, 2008

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Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing, China. In the men's gymnastics: China took gold, Japan took silver, and U.S. brought home the bronze. In the women's gymnastics: the China team won gold, U.S. took home silver, and Romania won bronze.

2012 Olympics

Apr 16, 2012

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Gymnastics at the 2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics took place in London. The U.S.A. women's gymnastics team brought home the gold all around medal. The men's gymnastics team did well individually, but did not place in the top 3 teams.