[A.1] Why are the gymnasts so young and why do they retire so early?

Teenagers are most successful in women's gymnastics around the age of 16 -- a gymnast usually reaches her maximum combination of flexibility, strength and aerobic activity. There are certainly exceptions (Kelly Garrison (USA) was 21 at the '88 Olympics). Strength is a more predominant factor in men's gymnastics, which is why the prime age for men's gymnastics is higher (21 to 24).

The current FIG rule is that a gymnast must be 15 by the end of the calendar year to compete in an Olympics or Worlds (exception: usually in the pre-Olympic year, gymnasts can compete if they turn 14 by year's end -- this allows potential Olympians to gain international experience). However, beginning with the 1997 Worlds, gymnasts will need to be 16 by the end of the calendar year.

[A.2] Why do little kids move away from home to train?

Often a gymnast, or a parent of a gymnast, will feel that s/he cannot get the proper training at a club in his/her hometown, and so will transfer to a reputable gym to get "better" coaching. Each coach has a different style and many gymnasts will transfer in hopes of finding the right environment. Gymnasts who constantly transfer from gym to gym are called "club hoppers."

[A.3] Is there a ranking system?

A gymnast's ranking is determined by his/her placement at a Championships or Olympics (USA, Worlds, etc.). If a gymnast above him/her retires, then the gymnast moves up in the rankings. Rankings are not cherished in gymnastics the way they are in other sports, like tennis, and are not used for "seeding" at competitions.

[A.4] Why didn't <famous gymnast> compete at <competition>?

There are too many competitions and too many gymnasts for all of them to compete at every international invitational. Also, gymnasts often need to take time off from their competition schedule to heal injuries, train new skills, and rebuild mentally.

[A.5] Whatever happened to...?

Bela Karolyi
"retired" in 1992 but came out of retirement to coach Zmeskal, Moceanu and other potential Olympians.
Nadia Comaneci
defected from Romania in November 1989; does public appearances and exhibitions; has her own leotard line (Milano International); engaged to Bart Conner.
Mary Lou Retton
motivational speaker; living in Houston; recently had a baby.
Svetlana Boginskaya and Kim Zmeskal
both live in Houston, TX, and are training for their common goal of comebacks in the '96 Olympics. Boginskaya trains at Brown's Houston; Zmeskal trains at Karolyi's.
Vitaly Scherbo
still training and competing. Lives with his wife and daughter in State College, PA.
Tatiana Gutsu
currently lives and coaches (at Greenwood Gymnastics) in Indianapolis, IN. She hopes to perform in exhibitions and plans to pursue a career in choreography.

[A.6] Who's who in the gymnastics world?

Bela Karolyi
One of the most successful and controversial coaches in gymnastics history. He coached Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, and Kim Zmeskal, who have all won either a Worlds or Olympics. Very controversial for his flamboyant promotion of his gymnasts, and strict coaching style.
Nadia Comaneci
Romanian gymnast who made history by scoring the first Olympic 10.0 (she actually received 7 perfect scores at the 1976 Olympics). She is also the only female gymnast ever to win 3 consecutive European championship all-around titles.
Olga Korbut
The "pixie" who stole everyone's heart at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Together with Nadia, she brought women's gymnastics into the TV spotlight in the 70's.
Kim Zmeskal
First American all-around World champion (1991), and three-time US champion (1990-92). She was America's most decorated female gymnast at the time, was very popular -- and still is.
Shannon Miller
Two-time all-around World champion (1993- 94). The most decorated US gymnast, having won medals in every major international from 1991 through 1994. Trains at Dynamo Gymnastics in Oklahoma.
Svetlana Boginskaya
Known for her gymnastics beauty and artistry; 1989 all-around World champion; two-time all- around European champion. Most popular for her innovative floor routines.
Vitaly Scherbo
One of the most successful male gymnasts ever, having won six out of a possible eight gold medals at the '92 Olympics. 1993 all-around World champion. Not known for his shyness, he has been called the "Charles Barkley of gymnastics."
Daniela Silivas
Always the bridesmaid, but never the bride. Very popular Romanian gymnast who "never won the big one but should have." 1987 all-around European champion.
Dmitri Bilozerchev
1983 all-around World champion at the astonishing age of 16. Only weeks prior to the 1985 World championships, he was in a car crash which broke his leg in 40 places. Doctors were about to amputate until they realized he was the world champion. They were able to save the leg, and Bilozerchev returned to win the 1987 World championships in one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport. He currently coaches at Brown's Central in Florida.
Steve Nunno
Coach of Shannon Miller, two-time World champion. Considered by some to be the "new Bela," as he is also a controversial coach with a strict style.

[A.7] How do I send fan mail/get an autograph?

If you know the gymnast's federation's or gym club's address, it's best to send your fan mail or request for an autograph to the gymnast, in care of the federation or club.

If you don't know the federation of club's address, you can just send the letter to your country's federation, who will then forward it to the gymnast. Be patient in your response as gymnasts are very busy!

Federations

[A.8] How does a gymnast become an "elite"?

In the US, the gymnastics system is divided into "levels," the top one being "elite." For the girls, there are levels 1-10, National Elite, and then the big cheese, the International Elite (along with many age group subdivisions of those levels). For the boys, the levels go from 7 to 1, then the Elite levels. A female gymnast progresses through the levels by demonstrating her accomplishment at her current level; the accomplishment is measured through testing at the lower levels and meet scores at the higher levels. Boys can compete at any level without qualifying from one level to another. Most countries have some sort of "level" system for classifying their gymnasts.