Gymnastics
Physical Education :
GymnasticsHistory of the Sport of Gymnastics
Gymnastics, as an activity sport, has been around for over 2000 years but as an competitive sport it is a little more than 100 years old. Mass and individual exhibitions were conducted by various clubs and ethnic groups such as the Turvereins and Sokols.
While it was slow-growing in the club area, it was fast-growing sport in the Turvereins and Sokols. In 1830s, the sport of gymnastics was introduced to United States and its school systems by such immigrants as Charles Beck, Charles Follen and Francis Lieber.
In 1881 the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) was formed, later was renamed to Bureau of the European Gymnastics Federation. This organization pioneered the international competition. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was formed in United States in 1883. Along with other amateur spots in United States, this organization took over the control of the gymnastics in U.S. Various "championships" started to develop by various clubs and organizations at about the same time during 1880s.
The first large-scale competition was the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece. There Germany have been the dominant team by almost sweeping every medal. Five countries have participated in this event. Men's competitions included horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings, and vault.
The first international event following 1896 Olympics was held in 1903 in Antwerp, Belgium. There competed gymnasts from such places as Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This event is now considered the first World Championship. The first men's team competition was added and held in 1904 Olympics at St. Louis.
By ninth World Championship in 1930 at Luxembourg, the gymnastic competition included track and field events such as pole vault, broad jump, shot put, rope climb, and 100-meter dash. Following that, track and field events started to disappear from gymnastics events, such as World Championships.
GymnasticsHistory of the Sport of Gymnastics
Gymnastics, as an activity sport, has been around for over 2000 years but as an competitive sport it is a little more than 100 years old. Mass and individual exhibitions were conducted by various clubs and ethnic groups such as the Turvereins and Sokols.
While it was slow-growing in the club area, it was fast-growing sport in the Turvereins and Sokols. In 1830s, the sport of gymnastics was introduced to United States and its school systems by such immigrants as Charles Beck, Charles Follen and Francis Lieber.
In 1881 the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) was formed, later was renamed to Bureau of the European Gymnastics Federation. This organization pioneered the international competition. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was formed in United States in 1883. Along with other amateur spots in United States, this organization took over the control of the gymnastics in U.S. Various "championships" started to develop by various clubs and organizations at about the same time during 1880s.
The first large-scale competition was the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece. There Germany have been the dominant team by almost sweeping every medal. Five countries have participated in this event. Men's competitions included horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings, and vault.
The first international event following 1896 Olympics was held in 1903 in Antwerp, Belgium. There competed gymnasts from such places as Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This event is now considered the first World Championship. The first men's team competition was added and held in 1904 Olympics at St. Louis.
By ninth World Championship in 1930 at Luxembourg, the gymnastic competition included track and field events such as pole vault, broad jump, shot put, rope climb, and 100-meter dash. Following that, track and field events started to disappear from gymnastics events, such as World Championships.