Gymnastics: 1910 - 1970

Many of the items in this display date from the early 1900s. The Olympic Banner is from the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin. The smaller exchange banner, commemorating a Finland--USA event, is dated 1910. Also included are many awards won by Roberta Ranck, dating from the 1920s. In the early years, Indian clubs and rope climb were included in American gymnastics events. Over a period of years, these events were dropped. When control of the sport was transferred from the AAU to the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (USGF) in 1970, the international program was adopted and the sport developed rapidly.

The Early Years of the United States Gymnastics Federation

In the late 1950s, a number of the leading collegiate coaches in the U.S. began a sports revolution that would accomplish something never before deemed possible. Backed by the school-college community of the U.S.A., the coaches believed the sport of gymnastics could, indeed, be a very popular and successful sport, but not under the control of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). They formed the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (USGF), and so began the amateur sports feud of the early 1960s. After seven years of political battles, including Congressional hearings in Washington, D.C., the International Gymnastics Federation, meeting in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, in the fall of 1970, voted to remove the AAU and replace them with the USGF. So began the growth and development of gymnastics, which now enjoys great popularity and success in the International arena...just as the coaches who so loved the sport knew that it would.

- Frank L. Bare -

The Soviet Era

In the 1960s, the men's competitions at the world and Olympic levels were dominated by the gymnasts from Japan, even as the women's events belonged to the Soviet Union. In the 1970s, the Soviet men's team grew stronger, and with few exceptions have dominated the international events ever since. This display is dedicated to that era. One of the books in this display was prepared as the USSR was bidding for the 1976 Olympic Games, a bid which it lost to Montreal. The 1980 Olympic Games were then awarded to Moscow.

The 1979 World Championships

The first World Championships to be held in the United States were hosted by the city of Fort Worth, Texas. It was at this event that the U.S. men's team, led by Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner, first challenged and won world titles. Included in the display are programs, posters and a commemorative display of the gold, silver and bronze medals from the championships.

The 1984 Olympic Games

This display contains just a few of the artifacts from 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, including a poster signed by dozens of volunteers who ran the venue during the historic medal run by gymnasts of the U.S. men's and women's teams.

The 1992 Olympic Games

Memorabilia from the Barcelona Olympics include posters of medalists Shannon Miller and Trent Dimas.

International Exchanges

When foreign gymnastics teams travel for international gymnastics competitions, it is a custom to exchange banners and, in some cases, medallions and pins. This remains a part of the cultural exchange between nations, and many examples of those banners are displayed at the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame -- including a banner commemorating the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

The American Cup

The most prestigious international event held annually in the United States, the American Cup was created by the USGF in 1976, as part of the nation's Bicentennial Celebration. The event has since become known as a showcase for emerging future stars of gymnastics, as both the Cup's first winner, Nadia Comaneci in 1976, and Mary Lou Retton in 1984, went on to win Olympic Gold just a few months later. This display features many of the event's early programs, medals and memorabilia.