Gymnastics
DESCRIPTION:
Although grace and aesthetics are the hallmarks of gymnastics, its modern origins were grounded in politics and are attributed to radical German nationalist Friedrich Ludwig Jahn*, who in 1810 organized exercise groups for young men to “prepare to defend their country.”
The modern sport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, recognizes several kinds of gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline gymnastics, sports acrobatics, sports aerobics, and general gymnastics), but only the first three are Olympic events.
Among these three, artistic gymnastics, which incorporates the use of apparatus and mats, is the most widely known. Male gymnasts compete on the floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. Female gymnasts compete on floor exercise, uneven bars, vault, and balance beam. Both team and individual competitions are held.
ONELINER: Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance.
OTHER CONNECTIONS: None
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
EB
AUDIO/VISUAL:
USA Gymnastics <http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/>
Fédération Intertionale de Gymnastique