Men's gymnastics is a sport that involves six competition events, including floor exercises, pommel horse, still rings, vault, high bar, and parallel bars. The sport was created back in 5000 B.C. Men's gymnastics was used by countries such as Greece, Persia, India and China for military training. Other countries used gymnastics as a physical activity. Men's gymnastics became an organized sport in 1881 and was selected to participate in the first Olympic games in 1896.
Early History
The earliest evidence of gymnastics was found in Ancient Egypt art. The art shows people performing gymnastic exercises. The art is dated and authenticated in 5,000 B.C. Many countries used gymnastics as a form of physical exercise, and others used it to prepare military personnel for combat. On July 23, 1881, the International Federation of Gymnastics was formed. The IFG is the oldest international sports federation. The IFG came up with events, point systems and rules in gymnastics to make it a competitive sport. Competitions began and the sport of men's gymnastics was selected to be in the first modern Olympic Games, held in 1896.
1896-1947
The 1896 Olympic Games, held in Athens Greece, featured men's gymnastics. The Germans were the top country, winning five of eight events. In the 1900 Olympic Games, France dominated winning all three medals in the men's overall individual. From 1912 until 1924 Italy started a winning streak at the Olympic games, winning three straight men's team all-around gold medals. Italy wouldn't medal as a team in the 1928 Olympic Games, but rebounded in the 1932 Games winning the team all-a/round gold medals. Germany won the 1936 men's all-around gold medal. Following the 1936 Olympics, men's gymnastics wasnt involved in the Oympics during the 1940 and 1944 Olympics because of World War II.
1948-1976
The return of men's gymnastics came in the 1948 games when Finland won the men's team all-around gold medal. The Soviet Union started a decade of dominance in the 1950's, winning the men's team all-around gold medals in the 1952, and 1956 games. The Soviets were led by Viktor Chukarin. Japan took over from 1960 until 1976 winning five straight Olympic team men's all-aAround gold medals. The Soviet Union finished second, winning the silver medal, in all five years. Japan was led by top gymnasts Shuji Tsurumi and Yukio Endo during this time frame.
1977-Present
The Soviet Union rebounded at the 1980 Olympic Games, winning the team men's all-around gold medal. In 1984 the United States won their first team men's all-around gold medal. The Soviets won their fourth ever team men's all-around gold medal during the 1988 Olympic Games. China started to make its presence known from 1992 until 2008. In the 1992 and 1996 games China finished with back to back silver medal victories in the team men's all-around. They won the gold medal in the team men's all-around in the 2000 and 2008 Games.
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