The Truth About Gymnastics | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

The Truth About Gymnastics

It's not called GymNICEstics.

311
The Truth About Gymnastics
fanpop

The Olympics showcase heroic and above-average talent that a normal person would only dream of achieving. Olympic gymnasts obtain this talent. Now, looking back at my own gymnastics career, it is safe to say I accomplished nothing in comparison to Simone Biles and Aly Raisman. While they were winning gold medals, I was getting kicked out of practice. Don't get me wrong, I once dreamed of going to the Olympics, but my subpar talent denied me of that. So, here are the expectations every gymnast experiences and the sad reality of them never coming true.

Expectation:

Reality:

You either A. Run the entire length of the floor mat because you forget to tumble. Or B. You find yourself landing on your face instead of your feet.

Note: Both of these happened to me.

Expectation: First Competition

Everyone else.

Reality: First competition

Me.

Expectation:

Reality:

You either A. Miss your hands on your backhandspring and fall straight to the floor. Or B. Are to scared to even attempt this suicidal trick.

99.9 percent of the time, I was answer B.

Expectation:

A perfectly stuck landing.

Reality:

A not so perfectly stuck landing.

When this happens, you know your next practice is going to be hell. Followed by your coach forcing you to stick and stick and probably stick again that same skill, which will only scare you more and leave you crying on the balance beam for hours.

Expectation:

Reality:

Enough said.

Expectation:

Reality:

You cannot even flip twice in the air, even if your life depended on it.

Expectation:

Reality:

You painfully crash down splitting the balance beam, which causes everyone to cringe and you to slowly roll off and land on the floor in the fetal position.

Expectation:

Reality:

The trick you usually preform amazing never seems to be performed amazing in a competition.

Every gymnast wants to be the best. We all chase perfection, but perfection does not exist. Well, at least not on the average level. There are some highs, but a lot more lows in the sport of gymnastics. And all the times I swore I was going to quit, I never did because something kept me going. Maybe it was my coach screaming at me to do another backhandspring on the balance beam or my best friends getting kicked out of practice with me. Either way, I would not trade the memories for anything and I have gymnastics to thank for them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

144065
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

35258
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

31426
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments