Gymnastics is one of the most popular spectator sports in the Olympic Games. People love to watch gymnastics. Gymnastics is not just one sport though. In the Olympics there are three categories of gymnastic events: Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline and there are multiple events within these categories. In this post we will take a closer look at some of the vocabulary related to gymnastics. But first here is a little more information about this sport.
Did you know that the English word ‘gymnastics’ comes from the Greek gymnos, which means naked. This is because Ancient Greek gymnasts used to compete without any clothes! Today the clothing, or uniform, worn by gymnasts (gymnastic athletes) is called a leotard. The same word is used for both men and women’s uniforms, though the look of the leotards are different on men and women. The men wear a sleeveless leotard and a pair of short shorts, while women wear a one-piece leotard that covers their entire torso.
In the Olympic games, each country is allowed to bring 10 gymnasts to compete: 5 men and 5 women. This year there are 196 gymnasts competing in London: 98 men and 98 women. In the Olympics gymnasts compete individually in different areas, but they also compete to be the best all-around athlete, and for the best team performance.
Here is some English gymnastics related vocabulary that you can think about and practice using while watching the many gymnastic competitions. Pictures related to some vocabulary are below the definitions.
balance beam – This is a single beam that is 5m long and 10cm wide that is used only in women’s gymnastics. Women perform routines on the beam including tumbling and acrobatics.
cartwheel – This is a maneuver in which a person moves sideways, from hands to feet, in a straight line, while keeping the back, arms, and legs straight, and the feet pointed. The person moves in a way like the wheel of a cart would move, hence the name.
floor/floor exercise – The floor is a specifically sized surface where gymnasts perform choreographed routines that include tumbling and acrobatic skills. The floor exercise is performed on the floor apparatus.
high bar – This gymnastics equipment consists of one 2.4m high bar upon which gymnasts perform skills.
mat – This is a type of safety equipment that is used to soften a fall from gymnastic equipment that is high off the ground.
parallel bars – This gymnastic equipment consists of two 3.5m high bars that are next to each other. Only male gymnasts compete on the parallel bars.
pommel horse – Another gymnastic apparatus used only by men only, this equipment consists of a rectangular body and two pommels that men hold on to while moving their bodies in the air.
rings – The rings competition is completed on two rings that are suspended 280cm from the floor. Rings are exclusively used in men’s competitions.
somersault – This is gymnastics maneuver in which a person holds their legs close to their body, with their head tucked into their chest, like a ball, and then moves forward feet over head in a circular motion.
vault – The vault is equipment used in men’s and women’s competitions to help catapult a person into the air to perform skills like flips.
Here is one last interesting fact about gymnastics and the Olympics, Larisa Latynina, a Soviet gymnast, has 18 Olympic medals, which is the most medals ever won by a single athlete in any sport!
