Para-gymnastics

Para-gymnastics, also known as disability gymnastics or para gymnastics, is a special kind of gymnastics for athletes with disabilities. It gives everyone, no matter their abilities, a chance to perform amazing flips, jumps, and balance acts. In October 2024, it became an official discipline of World Gymnastics, meaning it is now recognized worldwide as a important sport.

This sport is exciting because it shows incredible strength, skill, and determination. Athletes train very hard to perfect their routines, just like Olympic gymnasts. Para-gymnastics helps build confidence and shows that disabilities do not stop someone from doing awesome things. It brings together people from many countries to compete fairly and celebrate their achievements.

History

The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) created a committee called Gymnastics for All. In 2018, they expanded this program by forming an alliance of gymnastics federations. Countries like the United States held team competitions for athletes with disabilities, while Great Britain held championships for individual competitors.

In October 2024, FIG recognized para-gymnastics as an official discipline. This means competitive gymnastics performed on different apparatuses for gymnasts with approved Para classification. As of 2024, para-gymnastics is only available for national competitions.

Notable para-gymnasts

Some well-known athletes in para-gymnastics include Jen Bricker-Bauer, Alex Buesnel, and Carol Johnston. Others who have made their mark in this sport are Stacie Ridley and Oli Kettleborough. These athletes show great skill and determination in their gymnastics routines.