Some Olympic gymnasts train and wait for years and years just for the chance at winning some gymnastics trophies, actually correction, medals. Although nowadays gymnastics trophies come in many styles, sizes and shapes – so what makes these gymnastics trophies special?
Everyone knows that nowadays a trophy can be represented by everything from a bobble-head figurine to a bronze sculptured toilet. It’s important to remember this in the sport of competitive gymnastics; because the worlds most desired gymnastics trophies aren’t exactly “trophies” after all. In fact, it’s these gymnastics trophies that are particularly so beloved because (typically) there are only three of them awarded, they are – the gold, silver, and bronze medals of the Olympic Games. Yes, medals can be represented as trophies too and these in particular are awarded for the entire world to see.
The Olympic Games are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, attracting thousands of athletes from all over the globe, to participate in a variety of competitions. The Games are currently held in a new location every two years; although they occur every four years within their respective seasonal games. Gymnasts come to compete in the summer games. Today, the Olympics are the world’s largest stage for gymnasts to show off their skill and competitive spirit as they vault their dreams towards their gymnastic trophies.
Artistic gymnastics is usually divided into men’s and women’s. Typically women compete in four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Gymnasts are categorized in one of ten traditional levels. The lower levels (4–6) are called compulsory; where the routine and music is controlled and the same for everyone competing. The upper levels (7–10) are called optionals meaning that gymnasts choose the choreography of their routines and the music to which they do them on all equipment.
Gymnastics is considered to be a dangerous sport, due in part to the speed of the exercises and the impact on competitors’ joints, bones and muscles. Skills in gymnastics fit into different categories of difficulty “A” being the easiest and super “E” being the hardest. Only girls of elite status are allowed to perform super “E” skills; and as expected, the girls seen competing in the Olympics broadcast on television are typically Elite.
It’s the grueling time and effort these people put forth that should make others take them as seriously as an athlete who can hit homerun after homerun – and take their gymnastics trophies just as seriously too. The gymnastics trophies, or medals, they work for carry the same meaning and representation as the trophies handed out at the end of baseball, football, and basketball season.
Gymnasts have spent hours upon hours training to run, jump and literally flip for the chance to be named the best in the world. They want the opportunity to stand up during the presentation of the medals, hear their nation’s national anthem play loudly, and see their flag drop from the ceiling as these medal rendition gymnastics trophies are placed around their necks. Proving that the gymnastics trophies are not just won and thought of as their own, but for the whole world that comes together for this historical event.
The level four team competed in two age divisions at the D.E.E.N.O.S. meet Feb. 7 in Rincon. Coleman, of Hinesville, placed second in all events, including all-around standings. Allysia Dunkins, also of Hinesville, won first place in all events, including all-around. Bailey Harrison of Ludowici tied for second with Coleman on vault and placed third on the remaining events, including all-around.