The Evolution of Gymnastics

 There are several women who at a young age, not only made history, but made a huge impact on how gymnastics is today. The gymnasts below each contributed something over time that slowly molded gymnastics to what it is now. You could also consider this a brief gymnastics history lesson for the fans who weren't around during these times!

Cathy Rigby was the start of USA Gymnastics. Although she never won an Olympic gold medal, Rigby was the first American gymnast- male or female, to ever win a medal at the World Championships. (Rigby won a silver medal on beam at the 1970 Worlds.) Cathy also represented the USA at two Olympic games and won  gold medals at the 1968 and 1971 World Cups. Cathy Rigby literally was the start of gymnastics in the USA.

                  

Olga Korbut was just 17 years of age when she captured the hearts of millions around the world at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. While looking back at Olga's gymnastics today, it's easy to say that what she was doing was simple, but what you have to remember is- this was back in the early 70's. Before Olga, gymnastics was strictly graceful movements and poses with nothing more then a walkover on beam or a back tuck on floor. When Olga came onto the scene she brought big tricks that were daring and dangerous at the time. By doing the first no handed back flip on beam and literally flying in between the uneven bars, Olga sculpted what gymnastics is today by doing things that had never been done before. After Olga, gymnastics really took flight.

                

Nadia Comaneci took what Olga started and made it so much more. Olga had left her mark, now it was time for Nadia to leave hers. As we all know, Nadia was the first gymnast to ever score a perfect 10 at the Olympics. Nadia performed moves that were daring and seemed effortless. Nadia was the first gymnast to do an aerial on beam as well as a flight series and a double twist dismount. Her "comaneci" release on the uneven bars is still used in gymnastics today and is rated an E in the code of points. (Which makes it one of the most difficult elements.)

               

Mary Lou Retton forever changed gymnastics in the USA when she became the first american gymnast to win the all around gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Retton's teammate Julianne McNamara was the first American Gymnast to ever win an individual Olympic medal at all. In a time where gymnastics was dominated by the soviets and east Europeans, these ladies accomplishments changed the way the world saw USA Gymnastics. Mary Lou left the 1984 games with  5 medals, two bronze (Bars/Floor), two silver (Team/Vault), and of course the all around gold. Julianne left with 3 medals, 2 silver (team/floor) and uneven bar gold. McNamara and Retton both scored two perfect 10's at the games. After the 1984 Olympics, enrollment to gyms across America sky rocketed.

 (Note: That is Cathy Rigby doing the commentary in the videos below.)

                            
               

The Magnificent 7 gymnastics team which consisted of Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Kerri Strug, Amanda Borden, and Jaycie Phelps was the first time the American women had ever won a team gold medal at the Olympic games. After somewhat of a drought in USA Gymnastics Olympic success, these young ladies historic performances really made an impact on current day gymnastics and set a new realistic goal for gymnasts in years to come.

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Oksana Chusovitina is a modern day example of how gymnastics has evolved over time. At 38 years of age, Oksana is a mother, coach, and elite gymnast. While many say that gymnastics is a sport for children and that you are over the hill once you reach the age 18, Oksana begs to differ. It is crazy to think about, but Oksana has been an elite gymnast for over 20 years and started competing at the junior elite level just 4 short years after Mary Lou Retton won her gold medal in 1984. Oksana has been to 10 World Championships, 6 Olympic Games, and has competed for 3 different countries throughout her career which is more then any other athlete has ever done. Oksana has seen her fair share of rule and equipment changes over time and adjusted pretty well each time. It's amazing to think of all the things Oksana has accomplished and the fact that she has already stated her plans to continue on to Rio in 2016 is truly amazing.