The Road to Atlanta
Through the Olympic Years

The Olympics is like no other competition, offering some of the greatest moments of unscripted drama. We have documented here some of the outstanding achievements, with an emphasis on the progress of American gymnastics.

Rather than provide a boring history lesson, we hope that you will see a great deal of FUN within these pages! For instance, did you know that...

  • gymnastics competitions used to be held outdoors?
  • the gymnasts would usually bring their own apparatus to compete on?
  • until 1960, anyone could try out for the U.S. Olympic team in gymnastics; you merely had to show up at the Trials competition to enter!

My, how things have changed!

1896-1936

1940-1956

1960-1976

1980-1996

Sources

  1. Harless, R. and Poe, D. Gymn's FAQ for Artistic Gymnastics. May 5, 1996.
  2. Simons II, Minot. Women's Gymnastics: a history. Volume 1, 1966 to 1974. Welwyn Publishing Company, Carmel, CA. 1995.
  3. Conversation with Fred Turoff. July 7, 1996.
  4. Conversation with Abie Grossfeld. July 8, 1996.

[]USA Gymnastics' 1996 Olympic Games Homepage


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