Gymnastics History
@gymnasticshistory.bsky.social
You might know me as Uncle Tim. I research all the nerdy history about gymnastics. More at: gymnastics-history.com
1990: An Interview Zinaida Voronina - "A Withered Flower Comes Back to Life in Spring"
Once lost to alcoholism and obscurity, Olympic champion Zinaida Voronina rebuilds her life as a factory worker, confronting shame and isolation with quiet dignity.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1990...
Once lost to alcoholism and obscurity, Olympic champion Zinaida Voronina rebuilds her life as a factory worker, confronting shame and isolation with quiet dignity.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1990...
November 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
1990: An Interview Zinaida Voronina - "A Withered Flower Comes Back to Life in Spring"
Once lost to alcoholism and obscurity, Olympic champion Zinaida Voronina rebuilds her life as a factory worker, confronting shame and isolation with quiet dignity.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1990...
Once lost to alcoholism and obscurity, Olympic champion Zinaida Voronina rebuilds her life as a factory worker, confronting shame and isolation with quiet dignity.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1990...
In this 1988 portrait, Polina Astakhova—“the Russian birch”—reflects on what remains after medals fade: the quiet strength to lose with dignity, to teach with warmth, and to keep beauty alive in gymnastics.
➡️ www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1988...
➡️ www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1988...
November 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
In this 1988 portrait, Polina Astakhova—“the Russian birch”—reflects on what remains after medals fade: the quiet strength to lose with dignity, to teach with warmth, and to keep beauty alive in gymnastics.
➡️ www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1988...
➡️ www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/11/1988...
1987: A Personal Essay by Viktor Klimenko - “The Fate of the Korchagins”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Did you know that Viktor Klimenko was the head of Soviet *rhythmic* gymnastics for a bit?
Did you know that Viktor Klimenko was the head of Soviet *rhythmic* gymnastics for a bit?
1987: A Personal Essay by Viktor Klimenko – “The Fate of the Korchagins” – Gymnastics History
www.gymnastics-history.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
1987: A Personal Essay by Viktor Klimenko - “The Fate of the Korchagins”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Did you know that Viktor Klimenko was the head of Soviet *rhythmic* gymnastics for a bit?
Did you know that Viktor Klimenko was the head of Soviet *rhythmic* gymnastics for a bit?
When the FIG tried to move the 1974 World Championships because Bulgaria would not issue visas to South Africans, the Germans defended the South Africans and, ultimately, lambasted the FIG for not following its rules.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2024/01/1974...
www.gymnastics-history.com/2024/01/1974...
October 14, 2025 at 1:18 AM
When the FIG tried to move the 1974 World Championships because Bulgaria would not issue visas to South Africans, the Germans defended the South Africans and, ultimately, lambasted the FIG for not following its rules.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2024/01/1974...
www.gymnastics-history.com/2024/01/1974...
Reposted by Gymnastics History
1975: Wolfgang Thüne Defects from East Germany with the Help of Eberhard Gienger
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1975...
It’s one of the wildest stories in men’s gymnastics history.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1975...
It’s one of the wildest stories in men’s gymnastics history.
October 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
1975: Wolfgang Thüne Defects from East Germany with the Help of Eberhard Gienger
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1975...
It’s one of the wildest stories in men’s gymnastics history.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1975...
It’s one of the wildest stories in men’s gymnastics history.
1987: An Interview with Elena Davydova – “I See the Gymnastics of the Future”
If she had competed in NCAA, she would have been a Stanford gymnast. 🤓
If she had competed in NCAA, she would have been a Stanford gymnast. 🤓
October 10, 2025 at 3:14 AM
1987: An Interview with Elena Davydova – “I See the Gymnastics of the Future”
If she had competed in NCAA, she would have been a Stanford gymnast. 🤓
If she had competed in NCAA, she would have been a Stanford gymnast. 🤓
Elvira Saadi is permanently banned from working with athletes in Canada.
How was she described in the Soviet and Canadian press back in the day?
1987: An Interview with Saadi – “Without Them, the World Would Seem Dim to Me”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
How was she described in the Soviet and Canadian press back in the day?
1987: An Interview with Saadi – “Without Them, the World Would Seem Dim to Me”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
October 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Elvira Saadi is permanently banned from working with athletes in Canada.
How was she described in the Soviet and Canadian press back in the day?
1987: An Interview with Saadi – “Without Them, the World Would Seem Dim to Me”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
How was she described in the Soviet and Canadian press back in the day?
1987: An Interview with Saadi – “Without Them, the World Would Seem Dim to Me”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
1987: A Personal Essay by Maria Filatova - "Children Need to Be Told Fairy Tales"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
What was it like living with her coach? Was she a little mischievous in the gym? How did she go from alternate to a member of the 1976 squad that won gold on her birthday?
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
What was it like living with her coach? Was she a little mischievous in the gym? How did she go from alternate to a member of the 1976 squad that won gold on her birthday?
October 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
1987: A Personal Essay by Maria Filatova - "Children Need to Be Told Fairy Tales"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
What was it like living with her coach? Was she a little mischievous in the gym? How did she go from alternate to a member of the 1976 squad that won gold on her birthday?
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
What was it like living with her coach? Was she a little mischievous in the gym? How did she go from alternate to a member of the 1976 squad that won gold on her birthday?
1987: An Interview with Dmitry Bilozerchev - "I Will Compete!"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
This was his first major interview after his car accident that shattered his leg in more than 40 pieces.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
This was his first major interview after his car accident that shattered his leg in more than 40 pieces.
October 7, 2025 at 12:51 PM
1987: An Interview with Dmitry Bilozerchev - "I Will Compete!"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
This was his first major interview after his car accident that shattered his leg in more than 40 pieces.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
This was his first major interview after his car accident that shattered his leg in more than 40 pieces.
Reposted by Gymnastics History
1989: An Interview with Olga Mostepanova - "There’s Something Inimitable about Her"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
The official story at the time: In 1985, Mostepanova was pulled from the all-around final at worlds due to an injury. But is that what really happened?
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
The official story at the time: In 1985, Mostepanova was pulled from the all-around final at worlds due to an injury. But is that what really happened?
October 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
1989: An Interview with Olga Mostepanova - "There’s Something Inimitable about Her"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
The official story at the time: In 1985, Mostepanova was pulled from the all-around final at worlds due to an injury. But is that what really happened?
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
The official story at the time: In 1985, Mostepanova was pulled from the all-around final at worlds due to an injury. But is that what really happened?
Reposted by Gymnastics History
1998: An Interview with Olga Mostepanova - "I Just Love Children"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1998...
The interview in which she confessed that her passport had been falsified and her birthdate had been adjusted to allow her to compete at a younger age.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1998...
The interview in which she confessed that her passport had been falsified and her birthdate had been adjusted to allow her to compete at a younger age.
October 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
1998: An Interview with Olga Mostepanova - "I Just Love Children"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1998...
The interview in which she confessed that her passport had been falsified and her birthdate had been adjusted to allow her to compete at a younger age.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1998...
The interview in which she confessed that her passport had been falsified and her birthdate had been adjusted to allow her to compete at a younger age.
1989: An Interview with Lyubov Burda-Andrianova about Coaching in the U.S.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
October 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM
1989: An Interview with Lyubov Burda-Andrianova about Coaching in the U.S.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1989...
1987: A Personal Essay by Lyubov Burda-Andrianova - “I Look into the Eyes of My Girls”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Why should you care? She’s a member of the WTC, and in 1987, she had some traditional views of what gymnastics should be.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Why should you care? She’s a member of the WTC, and in 1987, she had some traditional views of what gymnastics should be.
October 2, 2025 at 2:53 PM
1987: A Personal Essay by Lyubov Burda-Andrianova - “I Look into the Eyes of My Girls”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Why should you care? She’s a member of the WTC, and in 1987, she had some traditional views of what gymnastics should be.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Why should you care? She’s a member of the WTC, and in 1987, she had some traditional views of what gymnastics should be.
1987: A Personal Essay by Mikhail Voronin - "The More I Have Understood"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Nearly 20 years later, the 1968 all-around results still stung.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Nearly 20 years later, the 1968 all-around results still stung.
1987: A Personal Essay by Mikhail Voronin – “The More I Have Understood” – Gymnastics History
www.gymnastics-history.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
1987: A Personal Essay by Mikhail Voronin - "The More I Have Understood"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Nearly 20 years later, the 1968 all-around results still stung.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/10/1987...
Nearly 20 years later, the 1968 all-around results still stung.
1987: An Interview with Natalia Kuchinskaya - "Gymnastics Is My Love"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“In recent years, we have lost much of our artistry, we have gone down the path of technical complication, and as a result, we’ve become uninteresting to spectators.”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“In recent years, we have lost much of our artistry, we have gone down the path of technical complication, and as a result, we’ve become uninteresting to spectators.”
September 29, 2025 at 10:21 PM
1987: An Interview with Natalia Kuchinskaya - "Gymnastics Is My Love"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“In recent years, we have lost much of our artistry, we have gone down the path of technical complication, and as a result, we’ve become uninteresting to spectators.”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“In recent years, we have lost much of our artistry, we have gone down the path of technical complication, and as a result, we’ve become uninteresting to spectators.”
1987: An Interview with Larisa Petrik - "I Always Sought Inspiration"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“Sooner or later, you have to part with sport, and then you have to start life from scratch. And how will you start it if all you know how to do is ‘whip out’ incredible saltos?”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“Sooner or later, you have to part with sport, and then you have to start life from scratch. And how will you start it if all you know how to do is ‘whip out’ incredible saltos?”
1987: An Interview with Larisa Petrik – “I Always Sought Inspiration” – Gymnastics History
www.gymnastics-history.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
1987: An Interview with Larisa Petrik - "I Always Sought Inspiration"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“Sooner or later, you have to part with sport, and then you have to start life from scratch. And how will you start it if all you know how to do is ‘whip out’ incredible saltos?”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“Sooner or later, you have to part with sport, and then you have to start life from scratch. And how will you start it if all you know how to do is ‘whip out’ incredible saltos?”
1987: An Interview with Larisa Latynina - "Know How to Nurture Talent"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“To leave gymnastics at 30–35 is very difficult psychologically. You grow attached to the sport with your soul; it hurts to part with it.”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“To leave gymnastics at 30–35 is very difficult psychologically. You grow attached to the sport with your soul; it hurts to part with it.”
1987: An Interview with Larisa Latynina – “Know How to Nurture Talent” – Gymnastics History
www.gymnastics-history.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
1987: An Interview with Larisa Latynina - "Know How to Nurture Talent"
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“To leave gymnastics at 30–35 is very difficult psychologically. You grow attached to the sport with your soul; it hurts to part with it.”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
“To leave gymnastics at 30–35 is very difficult psychologically. You grow attached to the sport with your soul; it hurts to part with it.”
1987: An Interview with Olga Korbut – “I Would Still Be Performing”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
The belief that artistry was dying in 1987. 😀 Declinist narratives are just part of our sport.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
The belief that artistry was dying in 1987. 😀 Declinist narratives are just part of our sport.
1987: An Interview with Olga Korbut – “I Would Still Be Performing” – Gymnastics History
www.gymnastics-history.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
1987: An Interview with Olga Korbut – “I Would Still Be Performing”
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
The belief that artistry was dying in 1987. 😀 Declinist narratives are just part of our sport.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1987...
The belief that artistry was dying in 1987. 😀 Declinist narratives are just part of our sport.
1980: What the Rest of the World Printed about Mukhina's Accident
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident, and in the meantime, rumors flew. Did she die? Was she paralyzed? On what event did she hurt herself?
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident, and in the meantime, rumors flew. Did she die? Was she paralyzed? On what event did she hurt herself?
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
September 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
1980: What the Rest of the World Printed about Mukhina's Accident
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident, and in the meantime, rumors flew. Did she die? Was she paralyzed? On what event did she hurt herself?
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident, and in the meantime, rumors flew. Did she die? Was she paralyzed? On what event did she hurt herself?
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
1980: What the Soviet Union Printed about Mukhina’s Accident
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident.
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident.
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
September 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
1980: What the Soviet Union Printed about Mukhina’s Accident
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident.
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
The official story didn’t come out until 15 months after the accident.
👉 www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1980...
1973: Latynina's Critique of Korbut and Praise of Tourischeva
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1973...
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1973...
September 14, 2025 at 2:38 PM
1973: Latynina's Critique of Korbut and Praise of Tourischeva
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1973...
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1973...
Does anyone have access to the ‘Ogonyok’ (Ogonek) database at, say, their university library?
September 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Does anyone have access to the ‘Ogonyok’ (Ogonek) database at, say, their university library?
1952: The Women's Group Rhythmic Exercises at the Helsinki Olympics
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
In conclusion, rhythmic gymnastics competitions have been controversial for decades. 😜
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
In conclusion, rhythmic gymnastics competitions have been controversial for decades. 😜
September 8, 2025 at 4:19 PM
1952: The Women's Group Rhythmic Exercises at the Helsinki Olympics
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
In conclusion, rhythmic gymnastics competitions have been controversial for decades. 😜
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
In conclusion, rhythmic gymnastics competitions have been controversial for decades. 😜
1952: The Women's Optionals at the Helsinki Olympics
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
The fear of losing artistry was already a thing in 1952.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
The fear of losing artistry was already a thing in 1952.
September 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
1952: The Women's Optionals at the Helsinki Olympics
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
The fear of losing artistry was already a thing in 1952.
www.gymnastics-history.com/2025/09/1952...
The fear of losing artistry was already a thing in 1952.
August 21, 2025 at 12:28 PM