Wow, did you know the word gymnasium came
from Greek folks which really means "exercise naked!" I would be afraid
to go there and exercise naked. In Greece men did not like to wear any
clothes when they exercised.
Most major gymnasts began their career at age 2 or 3 years
old. Wouldn't that be kind of hard ?
Wow that is so cool. Did you know that only female gymnasts
use music while performing their routine.
It's true that most female gymnasts are best between the
ages of 14 and 18. Only four more years until we are at our best.
It's also true that most male gymnasts are at their best
in their late teens to early twenties. Wow, how interesting!
After the 1966 Olympics, female gymnasts had to be 16 years
old to at least compete in the Olympic, and world wide championships. I
think that is kind of harsh, don't you?
In 1984 rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic event.
Pretty cool huh? I would love to be a gymnast.
In rhythmic gymnastics you can not use any tumbling moves.
Kind of awkward. Normaly gymnastics is full of tumbling moves.
A flip flop or just a flip is also called a back handspring.
I call it a back handspring but people call it different things.
Did you know that there are springs under the floor mat gymasts
do their floor exercise on. They also put wood over the springs and about
two inches of foam rubber, and a carpet to cover the wood. The spring loaded
floor lanches the gymnasts into the air and softens their landings.
Copyright : Sports Illustrated for Kids, January 1995