Trampolining Olympics

Trampolining has been an Olympic sport since 2000.  According to the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique, a routine consists of ten contacts with the bed, or mat, of the trampoline combining varying twists, rotations and shapes. In all positions the feet and legs should be kept together and the feet and toes pointed.  The positions of the routine include the straight position, the pike position, and the tuck position.  Timing is key as it denotes the accuracy and skill of the trampolinist.  The competitor both starts and ends with feet on the bed and must remain completely still.

There are varying trampoline competitions including synchronized trampoline, double mini-trampoline, and tumbling.  In synchronized trampoline, two athletes perform a routine simultaneously.  The double mini- trampoline is a trampoline that is smaller than a regular one and is sloped.  Tumbling combines the acrobatics of floor gymnastics with trampoline jumping. Canada’s Rosannagh MacLennan brought home the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics and Uladzislau Hancharou from Belarus achieved a gold medal in the men’s trampoline competition. The skill required to jump over 25 feet into the air and perform aerial feats is amazing.  You can see many of the performances on YouTube. Watch the Gluckstein Brothers from New Jersey on the Today Show for a quick introduction to the sport, the athletes, and a look at synchronized trampolining.

So when you’re bouncing for fun, remember you could even be doing this at the Olympics! Makes you want to start training, huh?