Vault (gymnastics) facts for kids
A vault is a special piece of equipment used in gymnastics. Both male and female gymnasts perform amazing moves on it. You often see the vault in big gymnastics competitions, like the Olympics. Gymnasts start by running very fast. Then, they jump onto a springboard and push off the vault itself. They flip and twist in the air, landing perfectly on the floor. It's super important for them to land in balance to get a good score!
The Vault's History
The idea for the vault came from a German named Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. He is often called the "father of gymnastics." The very first vaulting equipment looked a lot like a pommel horse, but it didn't have the handles. People sometimes called it a "vaulting horse."
For a long time, the vaulting horse was used in the Olympics. It was part of the games from the very first modern Olympics in 1896 Summer Olympics all the way until the Gymnastics at the 2000 Summer Olympics. For women, the horse was placed sideways, meaning they ran towards its long side. For men, it was placed lengthwise, so they ran along its long side.
The Modern Vaulting Table
After many years, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) decided to change the vault. They did this for two main reasons: to make it safer for gymnasts and to allow for more exciting acrobatics.
The new equipment is called the "vaulting table." It was first used in a big international competition at the 2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This modern vault was created by a Dutch company called Janssen-Fritsen.
The vaulting table looks quite different from the old horse. It has a flat, wide, and soft top surface. This surface is almost parallel to the floor, but it slopes down a little bit at the end where gymnasts push off. Because of its shape, gymnasts sometimes call it the "tongue"! This new design helps gymnasts perform more difficult and safer flips and twists.
Images for kids
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Original vaulting horse configuration (women)
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Modern vaulting table
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A multiple-exposure image of a gymnast performing a vault (handspring double front salto tucked) during the 2012 Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Salto de caballo para niños
