History
Gymnastics is a sport that originated in ancient Greece. The name comes from a Greek word that means to exercise naked. The sport originally was used to exercise different parts of the body for warriors of ancient Greece. Back in Ancient Greece, only men years 18 and older were allowed to compete in the Olympic games. Women were forbidden to watch or take part. If a woman was discovered, she was punished severely and thrown off of a cliff.
After the Roman empire took over, there was a decline in the sport's popularity. The Romans were concerned with creating an army. They continued to train extensively, but the Olympic Games were abolished in A.D. 393 by Emperor Theodosius because every man was needed for military service.
During the Middle Ages, acrobats were used as a form of entertainment. They would perform many stunts and series of tumbling. However, some people thought this type of entertainment was a form of devil worship.
In the 1800's the sport resurfaced in Western Europe, specifically in Germany. Frederich Guts Muths created an exercise system based on what the ancient Greeks had done. However, Frederick Ludwig Jahn is known as the true father of gymnastics. He opened the first modern gymnastics facility (called a gymnasium). He focused on strengthening the body. Around the same time, a Swedish man named Peter Henrik Ling created his own system of physical exercise. Ling focused on grace and form.
The Olympics returned in 1896. Only 75 gymnasts total attended from just 5 nations. The Germans won gold in all the gymnastics events. Only men were allowed to compete. In 1928 women were finally allowed to take part in competitive gymnastics events. However, they were only allowed to participate in team events.
Finally, in 1952, women were allowed to compete as individuals on events. Women tried to imitate men's gymnastics. Eventually, women stopped trying to perform gymnastics this way. They began to focus on grace, fluid movement, and perfect form. They incorporated ballet and dance into their performances. This is what led to the gymnastics we know today.
The sport was eventually spread throughout the rest of Europe and eventually made its way to the Western hemisphere. This is important because the United States became one of the world gymnastics super powers after several years.
After the Roman empire took over, there was a decline in the sport's popularity. The Romans were concerned with creating an army. They continued to train extensively, but the Olympic Games were abolished in A.D. 393 by Emperor Theodosius because every man was needed for military service.
During the Middle Ages, acrobats were used as a form of entertainment. They would perform many stunts and series of tumbling. However, some people thought this type of entertainment was a form of devil worship.
In the 1800's the sport resurfaced in Western Europe, specifically in Germany. Frederich Guts Muths created an exercise system based on what the ancient Greeks had done. However, Frederick Ludwig Jahn is known as the true father of gymnastics. He opened the first modern gymnastics facility (called a gymnasium). He focused on strengthening the body. Around the same time, a Swedish man named Peter Henrik Ling created his own system of physical exercise. Ling focused on grace and form.
The Olympics returned in 1896. Only 75 gymnasts total attended from just 5 nations. The Germans won gold in all the gymnastics events. Only men were allowed to compete. In 1928 women were finally allowed to take part in competitive gymnastics events. However, they were only allowed to participate in team events.
Finally, in 1952, women were allowed to compete as individuals on events. Women tried to imitate men's gymnastics. Eventually, women stopped trying to perform gymnastics this way. They began to focus on grace, fluid movement, and perfect form. They incorporated ballet and dance into their performances. This is what led to the gymnastics we know today.
The sport was eventually spread throughout the rest of Europe and eventually made its way to the Western hemisphere. This is important because the United States became one of the world gymnastics super powers after several years.