In tribute of America’s first male Gymnastics superstar, International Gymnast magazine posted some of their photos on one gallery page.
Category: Gymnastics
Kurt Thomas – 1978 Floor World Champion
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Kocian top UCLA academic student athlete
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diversity on U.S. National Teams
I don’t recall seeing any study on this topic, but seems to me U.S. National Teams, at least in recent years, are at least as ethnically diverse as the general population.
The biggest factor, I reckon, is which American families can afford the very high costs of elite Gymnastics training.
Things are getting better.
Shilese Jones – that was easy
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B_s480HDaAj/
Click PLAY or watch some kitchen choreography on Instagram.
COVID-19 sign at the Gym
Kurt Thomas R.I.P.
I can’t believe it.
Kurt Thomas competed for Indiana State University; where he was a five-time NCAA champion, winning the parallel bars and all-around in 1977 and parallel bars, horizontal bar and the all-around in 1979. Thomas helped lead the men’s gymnastics to the 1977 National Championship.
An Olympian in 1976, Kurt was the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal in floor exercise at the 1978 Worlds.
His name lives on as many of us still call Flair Czechkehre Flair a Thomas.
“I am completely devastated to hear this”, said Olympic teammate Bart Conner.
“Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend.
My heart is breaking for his wife Beckie, his children, Hunter, Kassidy and Kurt as well as the entire gymnastics community, who lost a true pioneer today.”
IG – World Champion Gymnast Kurt Thomas Passes Away After Suffering Stroke
racist incidents at Florida
Reporter D’Arcy Maine put together a summary article on the fallout from complaints by Kytra Hunter and Kennedy Baker.
Former star gymnast Kytra Hunter says racism complaints ‘fell on deaf ears’ at Florida
Jenny Rowland organized a video conference call with the team to discuss the issues.
And the team posted a statement.
celebrating diversity at UCLA
One thing I’ve always admired about the Bruins is the racial diversity of their teams.
It’s difficult to get data on racial bias in judging, but it should be easy to compare NCAA teams for diversity.
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racist incidents at SEMO
Chris Licameli was three years an Assistant Coach at Southeast Missouri.
Recall he was the self-funded coach for Canada at the last FISU Games, a team which included SEMO gymnast Alana Fischer.
In a new, personal blog post, Chris recounts a number of racist incidents he observed with the team and — at times — tried to stop.
“More needs to be addressed by the university & Athletics Department on this current Human Rights Issue of racism in this country, the NCAA, and at this Institution.
I have reached out to the Athletic Director of this institution’s Athletic Department letting them know that there are still public displays of racism on official team social media accounts and the athletic department’s website. …
To all my former black student athletes, black student athletes across the NCAA, and to all persons of color, I stand with you, I am here to listen, advocate, and support, because BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
Read his entire post.
Here’s a statement from the SEMO Athletics Department.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 