The original Greek term for gymnastic, “gymnos”, means “naked”! Indeed, during Antiquity, the athletes trained naked. At the time, aesthetics and sports were strongly related : therefore, body worship already existed long before body-building appeared!

Modern gymnastic was invented by two German teachers, and very logically, the first gymnastic institute opened in Berlin. In that place, you were to learn self-discipline and physical strength development.

Today, some 20 millions gymnasts are currently training, hence an incalculable number of competitions in the world.

Gymnastic can be divided in many disciplines, which also differ according to the gender.
Artistic gymnastic is performed in competition by both male and female athletes, but the apparatus are different. There are 6 events for the men (floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bar and high bar) and 4 for the women (vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise).
Rhythmic gymnastic can be performed either individually or in team (maximum 5 gymnasts) and combines dance, gymnastic and apparatus manipulation (hoop, ribbon, rope, ball or clubs).
Other types of gymnastics exists as well, like trampoline, aerobic and acrobatic gymnastics.

Gymnasts need many qualities and train sometimes up to 30 hours per week! Beginning very young is also a needed condition if one wants to reach an international level.
Nadia Comaneci (Romanian) remains today the most famous gymnast for having won 5 Olympic gold medals and scored the unprecedented 10 out of 10 for six of her routines in 1976!