Celebrate the 2024 Summer Games with DeVeau’s

Discover everything about the gymnastics games right here! From trials to triumphs, celebrate gymnastic milestones as we journey towards the 2024 Summer Games.

Join us for a watch party!

We’re hosting watch parties through out the games. 

Knowledge Hub

DEVEAU’S PAST OLYMPIAN:

Meet Sam
Peszek

JOURNEY TO THE PODIUM:

Qualifying for the Summer Games

EVENTS OVERVIEW:

Gymnastics Disciplines Explained

DECIPHERING SCORES:

The Gymnastics Judging System

World of Gymnastics

Read more about gymnastics

Sam Peszek’s Inspirational Story

From DeVeau’s to the 2008 Olympics

Sam Peszek’s journey from a dedicated student at DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics to an Olympic silver medalist is a testament to the power of dreams and the spirit of perseverance. Sam’s story is a reminder that the path to Olympic greatness is rooted in the commitment to daily practice, the support of a community, and the courage to reach for the stars. Celebrate with us the legacy of an athlete who once tumbled on our mats and went on to awe the world on the biggest stage in sports.

Sam founded the company BEAM Queen focusing on  teaching confidence and skills on the beam. 

The Journey to the Podium

Qualifying for the Summer Games

Many young gymnasts dream of being part of the summer games. It’s a journey filled with dedication, passion, and hard work.
Start Gymnastics Early
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Start Gymnastics Early

Most Olympic gymnasts begin their journey in the sport at a young age. Starting gymnastics classes early allows young athletes to develop fundamental skills, flexibility, and the discipline necessary for the sport.
Local and State Competitions

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Local and State Competitions

Gymnasts start competing in local and state competitions, gradually moving up through the ranks. Success at these levels is important for advancing to more competitive divisions, where gymnasts can showcase their skills on a larger stage.

National and International Competitions

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National and International Competitions

Elite gymnasts compete in national and international competitions, facing off against the best in the sport. Achieving elite status in gymnastics is a pivotal milestone for those aspiring to be Olympians.

National Team Selection

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National Team Selection

Standout performers may be selected for the USA National Team. Being on the national team means competing globally and gaining the experience and visibility necessary for Olympic consideration.

Olympic Trials

Olympic Trials

The Olympic Trials are the final hurdle. Gymnasts must showcase their best performances here to secure a spot on the Olympic team. Selection is based on skill, consistency, and potential to succeed on the world stage.

Exploring the Art of Gymnastics

Gymnastics at the Summer Games showcases the incredible skill, flexibility, and strength of athletes in three main disciplines.

Artistic Gymnastics

This is perhaps the most well-known form of gymnastics and includes both men’s and women’s events.
Women’s Events
Men’s Events
Key Elements: Involves a combination of acrobatics, tumbling, and strength on various apparatuses, with routines set to music for the floor exercises.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic Gymnastics is a discipline that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. This discipline emphasizes grace, beauty, and artistic performance, set to music, allowing gymnasts to showcase their flexibility, coordination, and expressive capabilities.

Gymnasts must skillfully manipulate one of the five apparatuses (rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon) in a choreographed routine. Each apparatus requires specific techniques and offers different challenges in terms of coordination and rhythm.

Key Elements: Focuses on grace, beauty, and flexibility, combined with dance movements. Athletes perform routines to music using the different apparatuses.

Trampoline

Trampoline gymnastics is a high-flying discipline that showcases athletes’ aerial skills, including somersaults, twists, and rebounds, performed on a trampoline. This discipline demands precision, control, and an ability to execute complex acrobatics at significant heights.

Athletes perform two routines in competition—a compulsory routine with required elements and a voluntary routine where they demonstrate their most difficult and creative skills. The routines are a series of 10 skillful maneuvers performed consecutively without pauses.

Key Elements: Athletes perform acrobatic movements while bouncing on a trampoline, including flips and twists.

Mastering the Points

Understanding Gymnastics Scoring

The scoring system in gymnastics is designed to quantify the excellence of performance. Whether it’s a floor routine or a vault, each element is meticulously evaluated by judges who consider a multitude of factors.
In gymnastics, athletes are judged not just on execution but also on the complexity of their routines. A ‘Difficulty Score’ accounts for the elements they perform, with more challenging moves earning higher points. There’s no maximum D-score; it depends on the gymnast’s routine.
The ‘Execution Score’ is based on how well the gymnasts perform their routines. Precision in movements, stability in landings, and the fluidity of performance all play a part in this score. The E-score can range from 0 to 10.
Deductions are made for errors such as falls, steps on landings, or going out of bounds. These penalties can impact the final score significantly.
An athlete’s score in a gymnastics event is typically the total of their Difficulty and Execution scores minus any penalties. The highest-scoring competitors emerge victorious, but every athlete’s score reflects a triumph of skill and dedication.

Favorite Olympic Moments from DeVeau's Coaches

Megan Wright (Girls Gymnastics)

One of my favorite Olympic moments was when Carly Patterson won the All Around in 2004 and started the 20-year streak of America women winning Gold in the All Around.

Aaron Schmitt (Boys Gymnastics)

My favorite Olympian to watch compete is Russian, Alexei Nemov. He competed in 3 Olympic Games – Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), and Athens (2004). His style, grace, and precision were second to none and I’d describe his gymnastics as effortless.

Amy Replogle (Girls Gymnastics)

My favorite Olympic moment was Mohini Bhardwaj’s Beam routine in the Team Finals in 2004. Substituted last minute into the beam lineup, she delivered a great routine without a formal warmup. Her mental fortitude under pressure showcased the crucial role of mental strength in gymnastics.