Saturday, September 19, 2020

September 19 - National Gymnastics Day

 

Happy National Gymnastics Day! Observed on the third Saturday in September, today focuses on a sport that the Greeks developed back in the 5th century B.C. 

That’s right. During the 5th century B.C., gymnastics first emerged as a classical sport. The Greeks developed the practice to strengthen warriors' skills for battle.  

 
Since gymnastics focuses on all of the necessary physical traits for hand to hand combat, it improves strength, dexterity, and concentration. 

 
Many of the events first exhibited during the Greek Olympics are a part of the competition in the modern Olympics today. 

 
The “father of modern gymnastics” is German gymnastics educator and nationalist Friedrich Ludwig Jahn.  

 
In the 1700s, he perfected many of the events that leave the audiences gasping in awe. Some of those events include parallel bars, balance beam, and jumping events.  

 
Jahn's writing is credited with the founding of the German gymnastics movement as well as influencing the German Campaign of 1813, during which a coalition of German states effectively ended the occupation of Napoleon's First French Empire. 

 
Both an individual and team sport, gymnastics competitions are found all over the world. Many age and skill levels compete as well. 


Those who compete at the Olympic level and beyond train several hours daily. To be successful, most start as a young child. 
 
HOW TO OBSERVE 
 
Attend a gymnastic competition near you. Share your experiences in gymnastics.  
 
Use #NationalGymnasticsDay to post on social media. 
 
HISTORY 
 
National Gymnastics Day began in 1998 as a way to encourage gymnasts and also to bring awareness about the sport. 

 
DATES 

September 18, 2021 
September 17, 2022 
September 16, 2023 
September 21, 2024 
September 20, 2025 
September 19, 2026 
September 18, 2027 
September 16, 2028 
September 15, 2029 
September 21, 2030 
September 20, 2031 

@olympics 
@nichecinema 

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