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40 Most Famous Gymnasts of All Time

Gymnastics has become a modern sport that attracts athletes from every part of the world who have shown their outstanding skills and performances. The nature of the sport requires that athletes are flexible, enduring, and accurate accompanied with faith to beat the rest. Gymnastics has been graced by a variety of skilled men and women for several years across the world. Gymnasts have created legacies in the sport as they inspire generations of other athletes in this unique sport with their unmatched talent, dedication, and skills. The legends in the past built the foundation for the modern-day trailblazers who continue to make gymnastics one of the most admired sports on earth. Modern gymnasts continue to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors鈥� incredible power, adaptability, and artistic skills that make them exceptional. Looking into the past, and present helps us to understand the progression of gymnastics from historical gymnasts to the several reigning champions in recent years. Delving into the history of gymnastics reveals names such as Nadia Comaneci who achieved beyond people鈥檚 expectations in the 1970s. The Romanian gymnasts displayed what was a record-breaking performance during the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She redefined the rules of the sport paving way for several other exemplary gymnasts.

The following are some of the forty most famous gymnasts of all time:

1. Simone Biles

Simone Biles Owens is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time after winning more than twenty personal accolades in her career. The American athlete has won seven Olympic medals, more than anybody has ever achieved in history. At the age of just twenty-six years, Biles has managed to revolutionize a sport that began more than a century ago. Apart from being an excellent team player on the American gymnastic team, Simone Biles has also displayed individual performances that have never been seen before. Her powerful and versatile style has been the force behind the best performances on the bars. Bile has a talent that many gymnasts think is extraordinary. Winning several medals has made her a living legend in the sport and she will continue to cement her name in the books of history with more winnings. She began her athletics as a young teenager winning the all-around championship. She would go on to win the title on four other occasions. She is a role model to upcoming female gymnasts across the world.

Also see: Top 10 Interesting Facts about Simone Biles

2. Edward August Hennig

Edward August Hennig was an American gymnast who graced the sport during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. He lived between 1879 and 1960 during which the world experienced one of the greatest male gymnasts in history. Hennig was famous in gymnastics for his confidence and coordination during performances which helped him win two gold medals at the swinging club and horizontal bar. Hennig鈥檚 performances are still praised in sports despite not winning an all-around competition.

3. Paul Hamm

Paul Hamm was born into a family of gymnasts as his brother and Sister Morgan Hamm and Elizabeth Hamm are both famous gymnasts. Paul Hamm is known in the sport for his energetic performances. His charisma during his performance has made him an influential figure in the United States of America. Winning in an all-round competition is for the chosen few like Paul Hamm. He is also an Olympic champion and World Championship winner. He has earned himself a place among legends in the sport.

4. Samuel Mukulak

Samuel Mukulak is an American gymnast whose name is mentioned among the legends in the sport for several reasons. Mukulak is an inspiring figure for the upcoming generation of gymnasts because of his series of wins. He has made gymnastics seem easy by winning the all-round championship a record six times. Mukulak was born to win as he has also won the World Championship eight times and still wins when he competes against young gymnasts.

5. McKayla Rose Maroney

McKayla Rose Maroney is an American gymnast who has represented the country on a few occasions. Born in 1995, Maroney has won several gold, and silver medals in the sport. Before deciding to focus on her singing career, Maroney performed exemplary to become the first woman to defend her World Championship vault title. She had a winner鈥檚 heart and would feel unimpressed whenever she failed to win a gold medal.

6. Alicia Sacramone

There is a good reason why Alicia Sacramone was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2016. She is an American gymnast born in 1987 in Massachusetts and has represented the country in the competition winning gold and silver medals. She led the American team in the 2008 gymnastics where America was considered the favorite in the competition. Despite not winning the gold medal, Sacramone鈥檚 performance was exemplary. She is a mother and inspiration to the coming generation of gymnasts.

7. Herman Glass

Herman Glass is considered the most famous gymnast in American gymnastics history. The talented athlete has been one of the first men to perform exceptionally well in the sport. Glass was born in 1880. He lived for over eight decades before dying in 1961 after changing the way people viewed gymnastics. He is famous for winning the gold medal in the 1904 Summer Olympics. His name became a global influence and his biography has been translated into more than ten languages.

8. Bart Conner

Bart Conner is an American gymnast born in 1958 in Oklahoma where he began his career as a professional gymnast. He is among the most famous American gymnasts for his exemplary performances and won titles. He was on the 1984 American team in the Summer Olympics where he won two gold medals helping the country to emerge on top. Although he is retired, Conner has continued to be inspiring in the sport. He started the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in his hometown alongside his wife, Nadia Comaneci. The two former world champions have been highly involved in gymnastics to help the coming generations.

9. Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton became the first woman to win the al-round individual gold medal in the history of American gymnasts. She became famous when she won a gold medal along with several other silver and bronze medals in the same competition. Retton cemented her name in the history of gymnasts by winning numerous accolades at one event. She retired from sports and keeps on inspiring modern gymnasts.

10. Aly Raisman

Alexandra Rose Raisman is a former American gymnast who became famous after becoming the most decorated American gymnast in one event during the 2012 Olympics in London. Raisman, born in 1994 became the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in a team category alongside her teammate Gabby Douglas when they won the gold medal in 2016鈥檚 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. According to statistics and the medals won, Raisman is the third most decorated American gymnast in history which places her among the legends in the sport. Inducting her in the 2013 International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame sealed her name in the sports as one of the most famous gymnasts.

11. Shawn Johnson East

Shawn Johnson East is ranked among the top ten most famous gymnasts in history because of the awards she received during her career. Born in 1992, Shawn Johnson East began her career in the early 2000s being crowned world champion in 2007 in the all-round category. She is remembered as one of the youngest to join the American senior team in 2007 when she was just a teenager. However, her age didn鈥檛 deter her from winning the 2007 individual all-round category. She went on to win two more times becoming the world鈥檚 most decorated all-round individual winner. After coming second in the all-star edition in 2012, Johnson announced her retirement from gymnastics. She is a legend.

12. Julianne McNamara

Julianne Lyn McNamara is a former American gymnast whose name is mentioned among the legends of the game. The a flexible and famous athlete in 1965 to Australian parents where she began her gymnastics career as a teenager before exploding to the world stages in the early 1980s. She became the first American woman to win the first individual gold medal. Her achievement went viral around the world making several women believe that they can also achieve what she had managed. After a successful career, the famous gymnast retired from gymnastics but has not stopped being supportive of the generation that came after her. She has continued influencing people in the sport. Many young gymnasts would love to achieve what she did.

13. Nadia Comaneci

Nadia Comaneci is on top of the list when mentioning some of the most famous gymnasts in history because of the heights that she achieved. The Romanian gymnast was a history-maker throughout her career and she is remembered for displaying a perfect performance during the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Comaneci was the favorite during the competition and as expected, she did not disappoint when she produced a perfect 10 in a flawless historical performance. Nadia Comaneci had a successful career that changed gymnastics because of her flawless routines on uneven bars and balance beams. She set new standards in the sport, setting and breaking records that stand to date. Her charismatic performances during her youthful days made her a global icon, besides several individual and group performances. She also got married to a world champion American gymnastic Bart Conner.

14. Larisa Latynina

Larisa Latynina was a representative of the Soviet Union during her career in gymnastics. During her career, she appeared on the global news as one of the best gymnasts alive. She is one of the most decorated gymnasts in history having participated in three Olympic Games between 1956 and 1964. Latynina dominated gymnastics during her era because of her versatility which enabled her to perform exemplary across all the categories in the sport. Through her skills ad flawless performance, she won eighteen medals in gymnastics. Latynina鈥檚 career was decorated with personal accolades as she won gold medals on nine occasions before she retired from gymnastics. Her achievements earned the Soviet Union a lot of respect in gymnastics and she has continued to be an inspiration to young gymnasts in the world.

15. Olga Korbut

Olga Korbut is one of the gymnasts that changed the way events are performed in the sport. Korbut became famous during the 1972 Munich Olympics when she displayed a performance that had never been seen before. The gymnasts introduced new skills in the sport through innovation and daring performances. She showed the world her acrobatic skills which led to the introduction of new skills in the sport such as the Korbut Flip on the uneven bars that revolutionized gymnastics. Olga Korbut hit her prime in her youthful years when she was flexible to perform with perfect moves. She became a fan favorite because of her charismatic performances that would cause emotional breakdowns. Korbut Flip is a skill that many gymnasts use today to show their perfect performances. Olga Korbut鈥檚 legacy will live for as long as gymnastics exist.

Explore: Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Olga Korbut

16. Vitaly Scherbo

Vitaly Scherbo is a former gymnast who represented Belarus during her exceptional career winning several gold medals. Scherbo鈥檚 name went viral across the sport and in the world during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Although he went to the games as a less favorite, Scherbo ended the event with six gold medals, a fit that had never been achieved in the sport’s history. He also won several other medals during the event making her a global influence in the sport. Scherbo was a skilled gymnast whose versatility helped him to be exceptional in several categories of gymnastics including pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar. Apart from winning six medals in one event, his performances were flawless as they solidified his status in the sport as one of the most accomplished male gymnasts in Olympic history.

17. Nastia Liukin

Nastia Liukin is an American gymnast who represented her country in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and several other championships. Liukin was the gold medalist in 2008 in the all-round performance which made her name go viral around the world. The Olympic gold medalist had excellent skills which she displayed at the World Championship including her elegance and technical proficiency. She was skilled in showcasing difficult combinations and releases that had never been successfully performed before. She paid attention to details during her performances which made her unique among other competitors. Liukin became an inspiration to gymnasts that came after her in the United States and beyond.

18. Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller is a former American gymnast whose achievement put her country on the global map as one of the best in the sport. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Miller was part of the American women鈥檚 team known as the 鈥淢agnificent Seven鈥� which made history in gymnastics. Miller was at the center of attention on the American team as she put in efforts to secure the first-ever gold medal for a team in the Olympics for the United States of America. She is also remembered because she put in extraordinary performances in the competitions thus winning several medals during her career. She was one of the most skilled gymnasts during her era with consistency and precision during performance. Winning several individual accolades earned her a place among the legends in gymnastics.

19. Gabby Douglas

Gabby Douglas is an American gymnast who has represented her country on several occasions in different events including the 2012 Olympics when she made history. Douglas won the all-round competition becoming the first African American woman to reach the achievement in history. Making history made her name become a global inspiration which made people believe that anybody can become a gymnast regardless of their racial background. Apart from making history, Douglas displayed some of the best performances in the sport because of her excellent skills. She showcased a combination of power, precision, and grace in her performances that earned her medals. The gold medalist was also an exceptional person off the stage as she would attract several people who loved her. Her personality inspired several upcoming gymnasts across the world who believe they can achieve anything in the sport.

Check out: Top 10 Facts about Gabby Douglas

20. Svetlana Khorkina

Svetlana Khorkina is a Russian gymnast whose performances in the sport put Russia among the best countries in gymnastics. Khorkina had a successful career in gymnastics as she collected numerous World Championships and Olympic medals during her career. She is remembered for her artistic display and skills on uneven bars and balance beam where she excelled among her competitors. She had exceptional skills and a unique style that made her stand out among her competitors. Khorkina displayed a unique style during performances including a combination of skills and endurance. Her achievements in the sport made her one of the most recognizable and influential gymnasts in the sport’s history.

21. Kohei Uchimura

Kohei Uchimura is a Japanese gymnast who has represented his country severally putting it on the global map. Uchimura is regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time because of his achievements and performances in the sport. He has been a dominant athlete in gymnastics through his exceptional display in several categories in gymnastics. He was known for his skills during performances, his consistency, and technical precision which made him receive several accolades in the Olympics and World Championship competitions. His experience in the sport was the reason behind his mastery of several aspects of the sport such as smooth executions and almost perfect dismount. The combination of these skills established him in the sport as a dominant male gymnast for some years. He keeps on inspiring the upcoming gymnasts today and in the future.

22. Alexei Nemov

Alexei Nemov represented Russia in the Olympics and World Championships putting the country on a global map because of his exemplary performances and medals won. During his youthful years, Nemov was a key figure in the sport as he captured the attention of people across the world with his powerful and charismatic performances. He was known for his versatility to star in several categories of gymnastics, including artistic and acrobatic performances. He would command crowds on their feet during his performances on the high bars, and floor exercises as well as his engaging personality that made many people love him on and off the games. Nemov earned a spot in the names of legends in gymnastics when he won several Olympic and World Championships medals. He is also remembered for being creative during performances leading to applying moves that had never been used before. His innovative routine and special flair made him an inspiration to current and future gymnasts.

23. Oksana Chusovitina

Oksana Chusovitina is a gymnast that comes from Uzbekistan whose name went viral because of her successful career in gymnastics. Chusovitina is known for her longevity which has played a role in her exemplary career in gymnastics. She defied the limits of age when she competed at the elite level of the sport for more than three decades. Chusovitina competed with younger gymnasts in some of the most challenging categories in the sport including vaulting. The athlete used her power, strength, and consistency in the sport which made her a formidable figure earning her numerous Olympic and World Championship medals. She was a dedicated gymnast whose performances have continued to inspire modern generations of gymnasts. She made other gymnasts believe in perseverance and performing at high levels for several years.

24. Cheng Fei

Cheng Fei from China is a famous gymnast whose name is among the legends of the sport. She established herself as the greatest vaulter in the history of gymnastics because of her unmatched performances. Cheng Fei became popular in the sport and across the world because of her explosive power and precise technique which were her trademark. Her perfect performances made gymnastics look like an easy sport for everyone. She was one of the gymnasts that won several awards in the Olympic and World Championships. Winning numerous medals on the vault apparatus made Cheng one of the most famous gymnasts in the history of the sport. She would perform difficult and daring stances on the vault and other categories, which set her apart from her competitors.

25. Li Xiaopeng

Li Xiaoping represented the China Republic in gymnastics in several competitions where he performed exemplary putting the name of the country on the global map. He was a versatile gymnast who performed in several categories in the sport including acrobatics and artistic performances. Li Xiaoping participated in the Olympic Games and World Championships where he won medals in the floor exercise, the vault, and the bar performances. He was known for his consistency, technical proficiency, and elegance made him stand out in the sport. His performances in the Chinese team and individual performances helped put the country in the names of men gymnasts in the world.

26. Epke Zonderland

Epke Zonderland was a Netherlands gymnast who represented his country at high levels making the Netherlands one of the best nations in gymnastics. If there was a daring gymnast in the sport, then his name was Epke Zonderland. He was known to perform daring and difficult moves on the bar and vault. The gymnast first gained global recognition when he did his routine high-flying performance on the bar becoming the first man to successfully do so. Apart from being an expert on the high bars, Zonderland was also a courageous athlete who enjoyed displaying daring releases during his performance. However, his skills helped him to win several medals at the Olympics and world champions putting his name among the legends in the apart. Zonderland was a well-known gymnast in the sport who was known for his high-flying performances that earned him the nickname 鈥淔lying Dutchman,鈥� becoming one of the most loved people on earth. He continues to inspire current and future gymnasts who would dare to perform beyond their expectations.

Also see: 10 Most Famous British Gymnasts of All Time

27. Daniela Siliva艧

Daniela Siliva艧 was a Romanian gymnast whose performances in the 1980s helped put her country among the best nations in sports. She was exemplary in several categories including the artistic performances where she excelled above her competitors. Silivas was an Olympic gold medalist as well as a World Championship winner whose name became a global sensation after displaying excellent beam and floor exercise performances. Silivas became one of the best Romanian gymnasts in history when she displayed impeccable execution and emotional routines. She attracted several fans during her career in gymnastics.

28. Max Whitlock

Max Whitlock is a British gymnast that wrote his name in the books of history when he achieved a historic feat winning two gold medals in one event. The famous gymnast was one of the men that dominated the Olympics and world championships during his career as a gymnast. When you are a versatile male gymnast like Whitlock, there is nothing you can鈥檛 achieve. He excelled in more than three categories in gymnastics. Therefore he was one of the most flexible and versatile athletes in the sport. His dominance during the 2016 Rio Olympics was the time for him to show the world what he is made of. Whitlock was set to make history at the event because there had never been a man that won more than two gold medals in gymnastics. Whitlock was both a team player and individual showman who achieved several individual and group medals during his career making him one of the most decorated men in gymnastics across the world

29. Sunisa Lee

Sunisa Lee is remembered for being the youngest woman to be named in the American women鈥檚 gymnastics team. She has been named champion in both the world championship and the Olympics. Lee made history during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Sunisa Lee made history when she won the all-around gold medal in Tokyo which puts her among the best five American women to have achieved the feat. She was excellent in her performance as she surprised many who did not expect her to win so much. Sunisa Lee was a specialist in performing uneven bars and highly difficult routines that attracted people鈥檚 attention around the world. She could transition almost perfectly between different elements with her fluidity and versatility. She would often catch the attention of the audience whenever she showcased her talent. Winning in the Olympics made her one of the most famous gymnasts in the history of the sport.

30. Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez made history in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when she played a key role on Team America. The American women鈥檚 gymnastics team won the gold medal at the competition with exceptional performances from Hernandez and her teammates. She could perform in different categories where she excelled because of her talent and skills. She was one of the fan鈥檚 favorites whenever she performed because of her ability to connect with the audience. She was impressive on the beam balance and floor exercises where she would present almost perfect routines. She continues to inspire young gymnasts with her resilience and positive attitude today and in the future.

31. Catalina Ponor

Romania became one of the best nations producing exceptional gymnasts and Catalina Ponor was one of them. Ponor was a specialist in the artistic gymnast where she represented her country achieving notable success over the years before she eventually retired. The Romanian gymnast sealed her name in the names of the greatest gymnasts in history when she won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals during her era. She was exceptional on the beam balance where she showcased her proficiency and endurance during performance. Her talent and skills lifted her status making her one of Romania’s most accomplished gymnasts in the early 2000s. She continues to inspire current and future gymnasts who want to compete at the highest levels.

32. Kim Zmeskal

Kim Zmeskal was an American gymnast whose name is in history as one of the greatest gymnasts in the world. Zmeskal represented the United States in several competitions including the World Championship in 1991 where she made history. She became the first American woman to win the all-around gold and sealed her name in the books of history. Zmeskal rose to the ranks to become one of the greatest in tumbling and vaulting. She was known for her fierce competitive spirit which has played a role in the modern-day鈥檚 gymnasts who have the hunger to compete with the best in the world. Kim Zmeskal laid the foundation for several modern days women gymnasts in America and across the world.

33. Elena Mukhina

Elena Mukhina was one of the greatest gymnasts whose impact on the sport served as an example to be emulated by those who came after her. However, her skyrocketing career was cut short by an accidental spinal injury during one of the performances. Mukhina is remembered for her fearless approach to the sport and her numerous attempt to perform some of the most daring and dangerous moves including the 鈥淭homas Salto鈥� which was presumed to be in the male鈥檚 category. She pushed the boundaries of women鈥檚 gymnastics showing women that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves. Her fearless approach serves as a reminder to women in the sport to attempt daring moves while also showing them the need to practice safety in the sport. She is an inspiration for women in gymnastics who want to achieve high-level performances in gymnastics.

34. Aliya Mustafina

Aliya Mustafina was a Russian artistic gymnast who excelled in the sport at the highest levels of competition. She was known for her consistent success while competing at international levels making her one of the greatest Russian gymnasts. Her combination of grace, power, and technical proficiency helped her to win numerous Olympic and World Championship medals on several occasions. Mustafina was a specialist on the uneven bars which made her recognized in the sport as one of the greatest in the category. She also earned global recognition because of her performance in the category. She was a professional athlete who demonstrated perfect performance and proficiency making her one of Russia’s most accomplished gymnasts. She paved the way for Russian young gymnasts and other gymnasts across the world. She is remembered today for being an inspirational figure in the sport because she put Russia on the global map of gymnastics.

Discover: Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Aliya Mustafina

35. Jordyn Wieber

Jordyn Wieber is another American gymnast who contributed to putting the country in history books as one of the greatest nations in the sport. By making Americans proud, Wieber also created a space for herself in the history of America as one of the greatest athletes in gymnastics. Jordyn Wieber represented America in several events including the 2012 London Olympics where the American women鈥檚 team excelled above everyone else winning the gold medal as a team. She was also exceptional in individual performances where she demonstrated her technical skills and talent. Wieber was noted for her powerful performance accompanied by a lot of precision on the floor exercise and the vault. She was also one of the most consistent athletes during the 2012 Olympics competition which was a key component in the American teams鈥� success in the event. She was one of the most focused gymnasts during the competition which earned her a lot of respect and placed among the greatest gymnasts in the country.

36. Valeri Liukin

Valeri Liukin was another Soviet Union gymnast representative who put the country on the global map. He was exceptional in the Olympics and the world championships. He was a talented and versatile gymnast who collected several individual accolades as an athlete. Liukin dominated the sport in the 1980s winning gold medals on different occasions. The man was one of the flawless performers during his time as he displayed his prowess and skills during bar performances. However, Liukin retired from the sport and has continued to be an influencer in the sport. He became a gymnastics coach and has mentored his daughter Nastia Liukin who is also a good prospect in the sport. He is admired across the world for his contribution to the gymnastics world.

37. Lilia Podkopayeva

Lilia Podkopayeva is a Ukrainian gymnast who represented her country on international stages achieving unprecedented success. Podkopayeva is remembered for her exceptional performance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where she put her name in the books of history. Her talent and skills at the competition helped her to win the all-round gold medal which earned her global recognition. She displayed a combination of grace, power, and technical skills in the event which helped her gain a lot of marks clinching the title. She was an expert with dynamic performances on the floor exercise, balance beam, and the vault where she beat the competitors with ease. Her achievement for Ukraine earned her a place as one of Ukraine’s most successful gymnasts.

38. Elena Shushunova

Elena Shushunova was another representative of the Soviet Union in gymnastics who made her country proud by winning a lot of medals on international levels. She was a star in the 1980s during her elite years when she dominated gymnastics for some years before retiring. Shushunova was involved in the Olympics and World Championship competitions during her era winning gold medals on a few occasions. She was a versatile athlete who succeeded in different categories in gymnastics because of her technical proficiency. Shushunova displayed powerful and precise performances on vault and floor exercises where she earned a lot of respect for being one of the best in the game. Her elegance on the balance beam sealed her space in the sport as one of the prominent Soviet gymnasts of her time.

39. Li Xiaoshuang

Li Xiaoshuang was one of the dominant Chinese gymnasts during his prime time in the 1990s. He represented China in the Olympics and World Championships winning gold medals and other medals. Li Xiaoshuang was a skilled athlete whose skills on the floor exercise and the vault placed him on the international list as the best gymnast of his time. He was also an excellent performer on the parallel bars where he was exceptional for his combination of power, precision, and artistry. Li was the reason behind the rise of Chinese men鈥檚 gymnastics in his time. He inspired several men in the country to work on their skills in gymnastics bringing China to the global map as one of the greatest countries in gymnastics performance. His legacy lives today in modern male gymnasts.

40. Kenzo Shirai

Kenzo Shirai represented Japan in male gymnastics and made his country proud by winning medals and revolutionizing the sport. Shirai is remembered for his daring moves during performance and he is the man that made the quadruple twist a popular move in the sport. His ability to execute difficult and daring skills made him a globally recognized male gymnast. He inspired several male gymnasts to approach the sport without fear and to be sure to achieve what they have never expected. His skills established him as one of the most exciting and influential male gymnasts of his generation.

Gymnastics has been a sport where several athletes have shown their talent and skills and achieved greatness. These famous gymnasts have been the reason behind the revolution of the sport over the century from an amateur sport to one of the most watched events on earth. The gymnasts have been inspirational to those who came after them while being a source of entertainment to the rest of the world鈥檚 population. Some of the most successful gymnasts such as Nadia Comaneci and Simone Biles have achieved the greatest feat in the female category making the sport popular in the world. They have displayed some gravity-defying performances and flexibility that have gone on to inspire several aspiring gymnasts across the world. These famous gymnasts will continue being the source of inspiration to the current and future generations of gymnasts in the world.