International Gymnastics Hall of Fame facts for kids
The International Gymnastics Hall of Fame is a special place in Oklahoma City, USA. It's like a museum that celebrates the amazing achievements of the world's best gymnasts, coaches, and important people in artistic gymnastics. It honors those who have made a huge difference in the sport!
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How the Hall of Fame Started
The idea for a Gymnastics Hall of Fame first came about in 1972. It was started by a person named Frank Wells. Back then, it only had one member: the famous gymnast Olga Korbut. But this early version of the Hall of Fame didn't last very long and closed down in the late 1970s.
A new and improved museum was created in 1986 by Glenn Sundby. He was the publisher of a magazine called International Gymnast Magazine. The Hall of Fame first opened in Oceanside, California. Then, in 1997, it moved to its current home in Oklahoma City.
Where to Find the Hall of Fame
Today, the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame is located inside the Science Museum Oklahoma. This museum used to be called the Omniplex. So, if you visit the Science Museum Oklahoma, you can also explore the Hall of Fame and learn about gymnastics legends!
Honoring Gymnastics Legends
Many incredible gymnasts from around the world have been honored and added to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. These are athletes, coaches, and leaders who showed amazing skill, dedication, and helped gymnastics grow.
Some of the famous gymnasts who have been inducted include:
- Olga Korbut from the Soviet Union (inducted in 1988)
- Nadia Comăneci from Romania (inducted in 1993)
- Mary Lou Retton from the United States (inducted in 1997)
- Larisa Latynina from the Soviet Union (inducted in 1998)
- Vitaly Scherbo from Belarus (inducted in 2009)
- Shawn Johnson from the United States (inducted in 2019)
- Nastia Liukin from the United States (inducted in 2018)
- Alexei Nemov from Russia (inducted in 2017)
- Oksana Chusovitina from Uzbekistan (inducted in 2017)
These are just a few examples of the many amazing people who have been recognized for their contributions to the sport of gymnastics.
See also
In Spanish: Salón de la Fama de la Gimnasia Artística para niños
