America's first World Champion was one of my very own first gay crushes. Along with Zack Morris, Kurt Thomas made me just a little more excited than usual as a seven-year-old.
Kurt suffered a back injury in 1980 and ultimately said fuck it about competing at Olympic Trials once it was clear the US was boycotting. Thus, we won't see him recognized at this year's National Championships. In 1979, Kurt was the 2nd best gymnast in the world in the all-around, won floor and high bar, was second on parallel bars, and third on pommel horse and with the team. He also won a gold on floor in Strausburg in '78 that made Marcia Frederick all sorts of jealous. She wanted to be the first American to win gold at worlds.
Following his gymnastics career, Kurt went Hollywood and starred in one the most infamous movies of all time. Only in Gymkata can someone fight off ninjas with Thomas flairs.
I keep hoping someone will make a sequel to Gymkata called Swimkata with Michael Phelps.
ReplyDeleteThere was a band at Ithaca College named Gymkata.
ReplyDeleteI love all these History Lessons!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I loved Kurt Thomas!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, pommel horse is tres strange. I know there's some way it developed from some ancient Greek calisthenics or something, but what is more bizarre than a guy flinging himself around on a big leather-covered table?
U was a (female) gymnast in the 80's- our whole team went out and watched Gymkata in the theaters- laughing the whole time. Did you ever watch 'American Anthem'? Another gymnastics movie from the 80's. And don't forget the made-for-tv Nadia movie. My little sister must have watched that 100 times :)
ReplyDeleteoops- that was "I was a female gymnast...
ReplyDeleteI loved the clip of Kurt's gymnastics. He was really fantastic! How did he manage to get so good coming from the US?? His routines were really interesting to watch- lots of variety and gracefully done.
ReplyDelete