Geeks on Sports: London Olympics 2012 – Gymnnastics

Event Dates: Saturday July 28 – Tuesday August 7

Medal Events: 14

Athletes: 196 (98 men / 98 women)

 

 

Geeks on Sports previewer Tim Blacksmith here today to tell you all about Gymnastics, if you like hard-bodied tiny people, these are the events for you!

 

When it comes to highly anticipated and hyped events at the Olympics, Gymnastics is the top biller.  I think back to the 1992 Games, which were the first Olympics I really paid attention to, and how enthralled even I was with the majesty and skill of these athletes.  I’ve been hooked ever since.

 

Courtesy of Getty Images

 

 

The men’s and women’s events are divided and they compete separately with the only overlap being that they both have Floor and Vault competitions.  In addition to those two events men compete in: Pommel Horse, Rings, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar.  Women also compete in: Uneven Bars and Balance Beam.

 

 

Each event is scored based on difficulty rating of the routine/vault (which is set to the highest possible score the routine/vault could obtain) and then the deductions that occur from errors made.  The only unfortunate, though completely necessary, part of the scoring is that it’s judged by people who are fallible; thus brews controversy.

 

There are, certainly, silly parts to the gymnastics events.  Like, during the floor routines when both the men and women randomly gyrate and fling their head and/or shoulders in various directions to convey…something.

Courtesy of Getty Images

 

But balancing out any of the silliness and the ridiculous costumes is the almost-unbelievable skill, strength and poise these athletes present during competition.  Imagine being on international television in front of billions of people knowing that if you falter slightly in one thing you do the gold medal will be lost.  The pressure is insane.

 

 

 

Why you should watch?  Well I think I explained it pretty well already but if that doesn’t do it for you try this: pretty, young, cute, girls.  (Maybe not Russian Curling Team cute…but cute nonetheless)

 

 

To see where to watch this or your other favorite sports, check out NBC’s coverage in your local area.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this preview of the 2012 London Olympics Gymnastics events.  Continue to check 8DaysAGeek for more previews of Olympic events.

Courtesy of London 2012

 

 

This is Geeks on Sports previewer Tim Blacksmith signing off.

 

Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.