Category: history

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

Kyle Shewfelt interview

Always entertaining and inspiring, click through to the podcast to hear the 2004 Olympic Floor Champ.

Hana Říčná and her kids

Hana, David and Sandra were, where else, at home for Mother’s Day.

FIG posted an interview. David is graduating from Stanford. His sister Sandra is headed to The Farm.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

QUIZ – Do you know what the Říčná Salto is on Bars?

Hana Říčná … represented Czechoslovakia at the 1988 Summer Olympics, finishing seventh in the team final and 29th in the all-around final. She won two medals at the World Championships, a silver on beam in 1983 and a bronze on the uneven bars in 1985. She also won a silver medal on beam at the 1985 European Championships.

Říčná moved to the United States in 1994 and is the head coach at Rise Gymnastics in Coventry, Rhode Island. Her son, David Jessen, is an elite gymnast who represented the Czech Republic at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Mattie Larson interview

Mattie is out in the real world, an emergency dental assistant right now during COVID-19.

From L.A., coached by Galina Marinova, they did a lot of ballet in club. Galina was strict about form and line.

Mattie competed for UCLA 2012 and 2013.

Click PLAY or watch a fun interview with Dave Lease on YouTube.