Gymnastics as spectacle (with videos!)

One of the most impressive things about the meets I've attended this year is the emphasis put on the show aspect, or "spectacle of gymnastics," even in the midst of serious competition. It didn't happen at Worlds. But smaller competitions have held fast to the concept of the "gymnastics show."

At Elite Massilia, two weekends after the World Championships, an entire day was tacked on to allow artistic gymnasts, as well as rhythmic and acrobatic groups, to present routines to crowds that cheered like they were at a rock concert. The audience at Top Gym in Belgium was treated to a 13 minute performance by a large and talented young group of acrobats that included two costume changes and very creative use of props.

At the Swiss Cup, gymnasts performed what is essentially an exhibition in an arena bathed in blue light. It was as much a show as a meet. And at the new, state of the art training facility in Arques, France, people who came to watch the Pas-de-Calais saw extraordinary work from a young Russian duo and a rhythmic gymnast who worked with a cape, in addition to everything else. Great stuff, all of it.

If the powers that be behind NCAA gymnastics are looking to attract more people to meets, the following videos should be taken into consideration. To start off, here are volunteers at Elite Gym Massilia performing a highly creative flag ceremony to get the meet underway.

Spectacle: Top Gym 2010

• Opening ceremony (dance and acrobatics)

Spectacle: Elite Gym Massilia 2010

• Opening ceremony (fun with flags)
• Pôle de Marseille, exhibition dance
• Pôle de Marseille, exhibition no. 2
• Synchronized stretching (part I)
• Synchroinized stretching (part II)
• Ksenia Semyonova (RUS), floor
• Ksenia Semyonova (RUS), beam
• Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS), floor
• Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS), beam
• Tatiana Nabieva (RUS), vault
• Tatiana Nabieva (RUS), bars
• Nadia Mulhauser (SUI), bars
• Ivy Lu (CAN), floor
• Doriane Thobie (FRA), floor
• Nikki Chung (AUS), bars
• Maartje Ruikes (NED), beam
• Irina Paun (ROM), beam
• Anne Kuhm (FRA), bars
• Aurelie Malaussena (FRA), floor
• Tessa Gerrits (NED), floor
• Mira Boumejmajen (FRA), bars
• Julia Rumbutis (SWE), floor
• Julia Rumbutis (SWE), vault
• Georgia Rose Brown (AUS), bars
• Tierra Exum (AUS), vault

More videos to come! Please check back for more exhibtion videos, or follow The Gymnastics Examiner on Facebook to be kept aware of new uploads. Happy holidays!

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