Kurt Thomas (gymnast) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kurt Thomas
Full name	Kurt Bilteaux Thomas
Born	(1956-03-29)March 29, 1956 Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died	June 5, 2020(2020-06-05) (aged 64) Texas, U.S.
Discipline	Men's artistic gymnastics
Medal record Men's gymnastics Representing  United States World Championships Gold 1978 Strasbourg Floor exercise Gold 1979 Ft. Worth Floor exercise Gold 1979 Ft. Worth Horizontal bar Silver 1979 Ft. Worth All-around Silver 1979 Ft. Worth Parallel bars Silver 1979 Ft. Worth Pommel horse Bronze 1979 Ft. Worth Team competition Pan American Games Silver 1975 Mexico City Pommel horse Silver 1975 Mexico City Vault Bronze 1975 Mexico City All-around Bronze 1975 Mexico City Horizontal bar American Cup Gold 1978 New York All-around Gold 1979 New York All-around Gold 1980 New York All-around

Kurt Bilteaux Thomas (March 29, 1956 – June 5, 2020) was a famous American gymnast and actor. In 1978, he made history by becoming the first American man to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. A year later, in 1979, he won six medals at the world championships. This set a record for the most medals won by an American gymnast at a single world championship. Only Simone Biles has matched this amazing achievement, in 2018. Kurt Thomas competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He was expected to win a medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics but could not compete. This was because the United States boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games.

Kurt Thomas's Early Life

Kurt Thomas was born in Miami, Florida, on March 29, 1956. His father passed away when Kurt was only seven years old. His mother, Ellie, worked as a secretary.

When he was younger, Kurt thought about playing professional basketball or football. However, at age 14, he became very interested in gymnastics. He watched the team from Miami-Dade Junior College practice, and it inspired him.

Kurt earned a scholarship to study at Indiana State University (ISU). While there, he became a five-time champion in the NCAA. He won titles in parallel bars and the all-around in 1977. In 1979, he won parallel bars, horizontal bar, and the all-around again. Kurt led the ISU men's gymnastics team to win the National Championship in 1977.

Kurt Thomas's Gymnastics Career

Kurt Thomas was recognized as an "All-American" 13 times during his gymnastics career. This means he was one of the best college athletes in the country. In 1979, he won the James E. Sullivan Award. This award goes to the best amateur athlete in the United States. He also received the Nissen Award, which is like the "Heisman Trophy" for men's gymnastics.

Kurt first joined the U.S. Olympic team for the 1976 Summer Olympics. Two years later, he made history. He became the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal in the floor exercise at the 1978 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

In 1979, Kurt earned six medals at the 1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. He won gold medals on the horizontal bar and floor exercise. He also won silver medals in the all-around, parallel bars, and pommel horse. This set a new American record for the most medals won at one world championship. Simone Biles later tied this record in 2018.

Kurt was a favorite to win a gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. However, the United States government decided to boycott the games. This was a protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Because of this, Kurt could not compete.

At the time, Olympic rules only allowed amateur athletes to compete. This meant gymnasts could not earn money from their sport. Because of these rules, Kurt chose not to try for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Later, professionals were allowed to compete in the Olympics. Kurt tried to make a comeback for the 1992 Summer Olympics. Even though he was older for a gymnast, he made it to the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials. However, his performance was not enough to make the team.

Signature Gymnastics Moves

Three gymnastics moves are named after Kurt Thomas. This happens when a gymnast is the first to successfully perform a new move in an international competition.

• The Thomas flair is a move used on the pommel horse and also on the floor.
• The Thomas salto is his special move on the floor exercise. It is a tucked 1.5 backward salto with a 1.5 twist into a roll out. This move is very difficult and even dangerous.
• The Thomas on High Bar is another move named after him.

Kurt Thomas in Film and Television

Kurt Thomas also had a career in entertainment. He starred in the 1985 movie Gymkata. In the film, he played an American gymnast who travels to a made-up country called Parmistan. There, he competes in a dangerous contest called The Game. The movie was not very popular with critics. Kurt even received a nomination for a "Razzie Award" for Worst New Star. However, some people enjoy the movie today because of its accidental humor.

Kurt also appeared in the TV series True Confessions. He worked as a sports commentator for ABC Sports and ESPN.

Kurt Thomas's Personal Life

In 1996, Kurt Thomas married Rebecca Jones. She is a dancer who creates gymnastics routines. They had two children together, Hunter and Kassidy. Kurt also had a son from a previous marriage, Kurt Travis.

Kurt and Rebecca ran the Kurt Thomas Gymnastics Training Center in Frisco, Texas. Since 2003, their gym has hosted an annual gymnastics competition. It is called the Kurt Thomas International Invitational. This competition is supported by USA Gymnastics.

Kurt Thomas was honored for his achievements in gymnastics many times. He was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003. He also joined the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1999, he was inducted into the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame. The Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame welcomed him in 2010.

Kurt Thomas passed away on June 5, 2020, at the age of 64. He suffered a stroke on May 24, which led to his death.

See also

In Spanish: Kurt Thomas (gimnasta) para niños