Photo © John Cheng Photo
The 2016 Women’s Olympic Gold Medal Team (L-R) Laurie Hernandez, Aly Raisman, Madison Kocian, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas
USA Gymnastics is the national governing body Today, more than 200,000 athletes and profes- for the sport in the United States. It gets this des- sionals are members of USA Gymnastics. More than ignation from the U.S. Olympic Committee and 4,500 competitions and events are sanctioned annu- the International Gymnastics Federation. USA ally throughout the USA. USA Gymnastics, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Gymnastics has more than sets the rules and policies that govern the sport of 164,000 athletes registered gymnastics. USA Gymnastics has many respon- to participate in the Junior sibilities, including selecting and train- Olympic and elite pro- ing the U.S. Gymnastics Teams grams. for the Olympics and World One goal in the sport is Championships; promoting to become a USA National and developing gymnastics Gymnastics Team member. on the grassroots through To become a national team the national levels; and member, a gymnast must first serving as a resource cen- work his or her way through a ter for members, clubs, fans series of qualifying meets. The and gymnasts throughout the preliminary meets range from United States. USA Gymnastics USA Gymnastics-sanctioned University provides educa- competitions organized by pri- tional resources for new and vate clubs to state, regional and experienced coaches and national qualification meets. Each instructors in the sport. meet gives the athlete the opportu- USA Gymnastics encom- nity to meet minimum qualification scores passes six disciplines: and/or placement requirements established by USA Women’s Gymnastics, Men’s Gymnastics. Gymnasts meeting the requirements are Gymnastics, Trampoline and Tumbling, Rhythmic then eligible to compete in the national championships Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics and Gymnastics and the most prestigious and significant competition(s) for All. of the year.
Cover: Clockwise from top left: Sam Mikulak, Steven Gluckstein, acro pair Axel Osborne & Tiffani Williams, Simone Biles and rhythmic gymnast Laura Zeng