by site editor Rick McCharles
Eileen Langsley from Great Britain was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2010, the first photographer to be so honoured.
Left to right – Eileen Langsley (UK, AAI International Order of Merit Recipient), Henrietta Onodi (Hungary) and Cathy Rigby (USA) – IGHOF
I follow her blog Where Sport Meets Art but don’t often any more see her photos. Not since she left as the position of official photographer for FIG in 2002.
The best account of her amazing career is on her site:
About my life in sport:
… in 1980 I set up my agency Supersport Photographs and embarked on a career at a time when there were few if any women working full time in this profession.
My specialist areas became Gymnastics, Figure Skating and all sports for women and girls. …
During my time with the FIG I had the great challenge and thrill of producing two photographic books – ‘Gymnastics – The Art of Sport’ and ‘Gymnastics in Perspective’ – and it was a great learning experience for me to work with Dwight Normile (editor of International Gymnast magazine) who designed and structured these publications. …
I have had a truly wonderful career, full of challenges and new experiences during which I have been present at some great sporting events. I have travelled extensively, worked in many countries and cultures and am blessed with great friends and colleagues all over the world …
read more – Where Sport Meets Art
Eileen is very eloquent. That’s a great read.
You can support Eileen’s work by purchasing photo calendars and greeting cards. Or by purchasing photos from her website.
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I write this post because some felt my disagreement with one point in her recent article in the International Sports Press Association magazine was disrespectful. Even a personal attack.
That’s not the case. I’m old enough to have appreciated her work since 1980. Thanks so much, Eileen, for everything you’ve done to promote gymnastics and women in sport.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 