Gymnastics is not just physical stunts but a unique combination of athleticism and artistry. This sport has captured millions of hearts worldwide with its stunning portrayal of flexibility, strength, and precision.
Since its beginning, gymnastics has seen legendary personalities who wowed the audience with jaw-dropping performances. From flips to twists to dips, the artistic movements of gymnasts always leave us breathless.
This post will uncover the captivating journies of 20 famous gymnasts who carved their names in athletic history. We will explore their achievements, challenges, and how they inspired many enthusiasts with their dedication and passion.
The stories of these gymnasts will give you a front-row ticket to relive iconic moments. Are you ready to enter a universe of flips and twists where possibilities are limitless? Let’s dive right in!
Disclaimer:
This post is for informational purposes. The numbers are not ranking.
1. Simone Biles
Simone Biles is a famous black gymnast born in 1997 in Ohio. The gymnast entered the athletic world as a teenager and became a role model for many budding female athletes.
Simone is a real-life superwoman with 25 world championships and four Olympic Games gold medals. No other American gymnast possesses this amount of Olympic medals.
The gymnast has a graceful personality, and people worldwide love her flexible jumps and flips. She can do everything from bar swings to dancing on the floor to flying through the air on vaults.
Besides being an inspirational athlete at a young age, Simone is famous for her advocacy for mental health. She always encourages people to care for their minds and be kind to themselves.
| Full name | Simone Biles Owen |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 26 years |
| Simone Biles Height | 1.42 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Gold MedalistWorld All-Around ChampionFour-Time Olympic ChampionFive-Time All-Around World ChampionMultiple Apparatus World Champion |
| Nationality | American and Belizian |
| Simon Biles Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $16 million |
| Controversy | Simone and four fellow famous gymnasts testified against Larry Nassar and accused him of sexual abuse. |
2. Svetlana Khorkina
Svetlana Khorkina is a famous gymnast known for her confident personality and ground-breaking skills. She was born on January 19, 1979, in Russia.
The gymnast won 20 World Championships and seven Olympic Games medals during her career. However, she retired in 2004 at the age of 25.
Svetlana was tall and had a unique performing style. She made gymnastics look like a beautiful dance – people were always hooked to her performances. Her stunning flips and twists on bars used to leave people in awe.
She wasn’t just a passionate athlete but an equally talented actress too. She appeared in famous movies and TV shows like Devchata, Kukhnya, Dancing with the Stars, and many more.
| Full name | Svetlana Vasilyevna Khorkina |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 44 years |
| Svetlana Khorkina Height | 1.46 m |
| Major Titles | Two-Time Olympic All-Around ChampionWorld All-Around ChampionEuropean All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Svetlana Khorkina Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $5 million |
| Controversy | Khorkina was always found involved in scandals due to her bold personality. The most prominent scandal was Svetlana Khorkina nude photoshoot in 1997 for the Russian Playboy magazine. She also made a scandalous statement about the testimony of Simone Biles against Larry Nassar’s abuse. The gymnast accused Simone of testifying for just “fame and attention.” |
3. Larisa Latynina
Born in 1934 in Ukraine, Larisa Latynina is a well-known name in gymnastics history. She entered the athletic world when there were limited resources and training facilities available, especially for women. Still, her career is full of remarkable achievements.
Larisa won three consecutive Olympic golds from 1956 to 1964, thanks to her stunning and elegant gymnastic performances. In total, the gymnast possesses 19 Olympic medals.
Moreover, she was the first woman athlete in any sport to win 9 Olympic gold medals. The gymnast overcame all the challenges and never gave up on her dream of making a name in the gymnastics world.
Her achievements, hard work, and dedication make her one of history’s most inspirational and famous gymnasts.
| Full name | Larisa Semyonovna Latynina |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 88 years |
| Larisa Latynina Height | 1.61 m |
| Major Titles | Nine-Time Olympic ChampionEighteen-Time Olympic MedalistWorld All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | Russian -Soviet |
| Larisa Latynina Net Worth (As of August 2023) | Approximately $5 million |
| Controversy | – |
4. Gabby Douglas
Gabby Douglas is a famous American gymnast known for her inspiring journey and brilliant performances. Born in 1995, the gymnast left her family at a young age to train hard and begin her athletic career. Her coaches still praise the gymnast’s hard work and determination.
Gavvy reached a historic milestone in the 2012 Olympic Games when she became the first African-American gymnast to win an all-around gold medal.
Her smooth moves and performances on the vaults, uneven bars, and balance beams are magical. It is always a delight for fans to see her flying through the air.
In 2014, a biopic was released based on the gymnast, the Gabby Douglas Story. The movie revolves around the childhood and teen years of Gabby Douglas and the challenges she fought to become an Olympic star.
| Full name | Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas |
| Gabby Douglas Age (As of August 2023) | 27 |
| Gabby Douglas Height | 1.57 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around ChampionTeam Olympic Gold Medalist (Multiple)World All-Around Silver MedalistAmerican Cup ChampionU.S. National Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Gabby Douglas Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $5 million |
| Controversy | Gabby Douglas, among fellow gymnasts, admitted Larry Nassar sexually abused her. However, she made a controversial statement blaming herself and other abuse survivors. She said, “women should dress modest and be classy to avoid such situations.” |
5. Alicia Sacramone
Alicia Sacramone is a retired American gymnast who left a mark in gymnastics with her remarkable achievements and performance. This famous American gymnast won numerous World Championship and Olympic medals.
She was excellent with vaults, balance, beams, and floor exercises. Alicia always captivated the audience with her stunning performances.
Like other famous gymnasts, Alicia faced many challenges during her journey, including countless injuries. The gymnast once ruptured her Achilles tendon and took a long break from gymnastics. However, her resilience is an inspiration for young gymnasts.
Alicia Sacramone graceful personality and ability to handle pressure sets her apart from others.
| Full name | Alicia Marie Sacramone Quinn |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 35 |
| Alicia Sacramone Height | 1.55 m |
| Major Titles | World All-Around ChampionWorld Team ChampionWorld Apparatus ChampionU.S. National All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American – Italian |
| Alicia Sacramone Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $8 million |
| Controversy (If any) | – |
6. Laurie Hernandez
Born in 2000 in the United States, Laurie started her journey at a young age and blossomed into an outstanding athlete.
Laurie Hernandez faced many challenges in her career, like juggling between studies and gymnastics. But she managed to overcome every obstacle with her dedication. She won a team gold medal and an individual silver medal in the 2016 Olympic Games.
The gymnast’s performances were a dazzling show of charisma and energy. She used to captivate the audience with her moves. Also, she was the youngest gymnast to participate in Dancing with Stars.
Laurie is always vocal about her journey of race and color discrimination. She encourages others to embrace their uniqueness by sharing her struggles with self-doubt. The gymnast retired in 2021 with grace and dignity.
| Full name | Lauren Zoe Hernandez |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 23 |
| Laurie Hernandez Height | 1.55 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Team Gold MedalistOlympic Balance Beam Silver MedalistU.S. National All-Around ChampionDancing with the Stars Champion (Season 23) |
| Nationality | American |
| Laurie Hernandez Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $2 million |
| Controversy | Laurie accused her former coach Maggie Haney in 2021 of verbal and emotional abuse. She opened up about fighting with depression and eating disorders because of the coach. |
7. Paul Hamm
Born in 1982, Paul Hamm is one of American history’s most celebrated and famous gymnasts. He is a perfect blend of good looks and remarkable athletic skills.
In 2004, he grabbed the all-around Olympics gold medal.
Like other gymnasts, Paul’s career was full of injuries and challenges. In 2008, he broke his hand during the game. But he fought every obstacle and came out stronger than ever.
He won two other Olympic medals with his dazzling gymnastic performances.
Besides the Olympics, Paul has won countless World Championship medals and established himself as an outstanding athlete. The gymnast used to hook the audience with his routines on parallel bars and the high bar.
| Full name | Paul Elbert Hamm |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 40 |
| Paul Hamm Height | 1.67 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold MedalistOlympic Team Silver MedalistWorld All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Paul Hamm Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $5 million |
| Controversy | Paul Hamm won an all-around gold medal in 2004. However, the medal was awarded because of a scoring error. The Governing Body of Gymnastics decided not to reverse the decision. |
8. McKayla Rose Maroney
McKayla is a talented and famous American gymnast with remarkable achievements. Born in 1995, she entered the gymnastics world young and quickly built an impressive career. The gymnast retired in 2016 after bagging countless accomplishments.
McKayla’s most notable achievement is her 2012 London Olympics performance. Her breathtaking vaulting skills won an individual silver medal and a team gold medal. She wowed the audience with her beauty and charm.
McKayla’s achievements don’t just end at the Olympics. She won numerous medals in the World Championship events too. Though her gymnastics career was brief, she managed to earn maximum respect and love from people.
| Full name | McKayla Rose Maroney |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 27 |
| McKayla Rose Height | 1.63 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Team Gold Medalist (Multiple)Olympic Vault Silver MedalistWorld Vault Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| McKayla Rose Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $6 million |
| Controversy | Like many famous gymnasts, McKayla was also molested by Larry Nassar. She accused the doctor of abusing her hundreds of times in 5 years. |
9. Bart Conner
Bart Conner is a talented American gymnast with a remarkable career. He entered the gymnastics world at the age of 10 and retired after the 1985 Olympic Games.
Bart was particularly famous for his breathtaking performances on horizontal and parallel bars. He won a gold medal in the 1984 LA Olympic Games because of his incredible strength and artistry. His achievements contributed to the progression of the US Men’s Gymnastics Team.
Bart is much more than a gymnast; he is a motivational speaker, a TV commentator, and an author. He’s also the co-founder of the “Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy” in Norman. The academy is one of the United State’s largest gymnastics institutes.
Bart’s journey and achievements are an inspiration for every gymnastic enthusiast.
| Full name | Bart Wayne Connor |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 65 |
| Bart Conner Height | 1.86 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Gold Medalist (Multiple)World All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Bart Conner Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $5 million |
| Controversy (If any) | – |
10. Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton is one of the famous gymnasts who captured the hearts of audiences with their remarkable performances. Her gymnastics career reached incredible heights at a young age.
The gymnast’s performance in the 1984 LA Olympics is the highlight of her career. She won two silver, two bronze, and one all-around gold medal in the competition. She won hearts with her energetic routines on the vaults and balance beams.
Besides the Olympics victory, Mary Lou bagged numerous World Championship medals too. Her extraordinary artistic skills are still famous years after her retirement.
Mary Lou Retton faced her fair share of challenges and obstacles. For example, a knee injury just before the 1984 Olympic Games. But she never gave up on her dream.
| Full name | Mary Lou Retton |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 55 |
| Mary Lou Retton Height | 1.45 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold MedalistOlympic Team Silver MedalistWorld All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Mary Lou Retton Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $8 million |
| Controversy | Mary Lou was accused and criticized for not supporting a congressional bill. The bill was about deciding new measures to protect children in sports from molesters. |
11. Shawn Johnson East – Famous Gymnasts
Shawn Johnson East is a retired American gymnast born in 1992. Her gymnastics journey is an inspirational tale of strength, dedication, and achievements.
Shawn’s career rose to fame after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She won a gold medal for her performance on balance beams and three silver medals on floor exercises. Her routines were the perfect portrayal of grace and artistry.
The gymnast also portrayed her skills in World Championships and won medals on vaults and uneven bars.
Besides gymnastics, Shawn made several appearances in TV shows. Her loving personality and dazzling performances made her win the eighth season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
| Full name | Shawn Johnson East |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 31 |
| Shawn Johnson East Height | 1.5 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Balance Beam Gold MedalistOlympic All-Around Silver MedalistWorld All-Around ChampionU.S. National All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Shawn Johnson East Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $9 million |
| Controversy | Shawn was criticized after making her 3-year-old son flip on a beach and posting the video on social media. Netizens accused her of putting her son’s life in danger. |
12. Aly Raisman
Aly Raisman, a famous American gymnast, has contributed a lot to the athletic world with her achievements. She was born in 1995 and started gymnastics training when she was 18 months old. The gymnast started her career in 2010 and quickly rose to fame.
The highlight of Aly’s career is the 2010 Olympic Games, where she won two gold medals in floor exercises and team events.
She again participated in the 2016 Olympic Games and bagged one bronze and two silver medals. Aly won many World Championship medals too.
Aly Raisman gained massive respect when she advocated for her fellow gymnasts and survivors of abuse. She retired in 2020, leaving behind a career full of achievements and inspiration.
| Full name | Alexandra Rose Raisman |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 29 |
| Aly Raisman Height | 1.57 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold Medalist (Multiple)Olympic Team Gold Medalist (Multiple)Olympic Floor Exercise Gold MedalistWorld All-Around Silver MedalistU.S. National All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Aly Raisman Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $4 million |
| Controversy (If any) | Like fellow gymnasts, Aly accused Nassar of molesting her when she was 15. |
13. Nadia Comaneci
Nadia Comaneci is an iconic and one of the most famous gymnasts with a dazzling career. She started her gymnastic journey in 1969 when she was 6 years old. Despite having limited sources, she managed to gain international stardom.
Nadia Comaneci husband, Bart Conner is also a famous American gymnast.
She made history after the 1976 Montreal Olympics, becoming the first gymnast to score a perfect 10. During these games, she also won one bronze, two silver, and three gold medals. Her performances were a portrayal of artistry and delicacy.
She performed incredibly great in World Championship games too.
| Full name | Nadia Elena Comăneci Conner |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 61 |
| Nadia Comaneci Height | 1.61 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold MedalistOlympic Team Gold MedalistOlympic Apparatus Gold Medalist (Multiple)World All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American – Romanian |
| Nadia Comaneci Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $10 million |
| Controversy | A book revealed that Nadia and her fellow gymnasts faced physical and psychological abuse in the 1960s in Romania. |
14. Olga Korbut – Famous Gymnasts
Next on our list of 20 famous gymnasts is Olga Korbut, a Belarusian gymnast born in 1955. She is one of the very few pioneering gymnasts in the world’s history.
Olga Korbut was known for her daring and innovative gymnastic routines. She introduced many gymnastic skills like the “Korbut Flip.” Her athleticism and creativity are indeed one of a kind.
The highlight of her career was the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, where she earned one silver medal and three gold medals for her performance. Besides her athletic capabilities, Olga has a charismatic personality that captured many hearts.
| Full name | Olga Valentinovna Korbut |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 68 |
| Olga Korbut Height | 1.52 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold MedalistOlympic Team Gold MedalistWorld All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | Belarusian – Soviet |
| Olga Korbut Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $75 million |
| Controversy | – |
15. Nastia Liukin
Nastia Liukin is an outstanding American gymnast with a shining career. She began her journey as a teenager and bagged countless achievements.
Her career bloomed after winning the all-around gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In total, the gymnast has five Olympic Games and two World Championship medals. She is known for her stunning performances on uneven bars and balance beams.
Besides her athletic achievements, Nastia also worked as a philanthropist and a television commentator. She often talks about health and wellness on social media.
Nastia Liukin also became an entrepreneur after launching an influencer business. She continues to inspire aspiring athletes even after retirement.
| Full name | Anastasia “Nastia” Valeryevna Liukin |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 33 |
| Nastia Liukin Height | 1.6 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold MedalistOlympic Team Silver MedalistWorld All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | American |
| Nastia Liukin Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $3 million |
| Controversy (If any) | Nastia was criticized when she laughed on her fellow gymnasts when they opened up about the sexual assault by Nassar. The gymnast later apologized for her insensitive behavior. |
16. Shannon Miller – Famoys Gymnasts
Born in 1977, Shannon Miller is a former American artistic gymnast. She was a blend of beauty, brains, and incredible gymnastic skills.
Shannon Miller became prominent after the 1996 Atlantic Olympic Games, winning a team gold medal. The audience applauded her performance on the floor exercise and balance beam. She also has two all-around medals in the World Championship.
People often praise Shannon’s exceptional skills on vaults and uneven bars. Not to forget, the gymnast is also an ovarian cancer survivor. She was 33 years old but fought the disease like a hero.
Even after retirement, her journey is a perfect example of strength, skill, and versatility.
| Full name | Shannon Lee Miller |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 46 |
| Shannon Miller Height | 1.55 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold MedalistOlympic Team Gold Medalist (Multiple) |
| Nationality | American |
| Shannon Miller Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $5 million |
| Controversy | – |
17. Kohei Uchimura
Kohei Uchimura, born in 1989, is a well-known Japanese gymnast. He started gaining global recognition at a young age and never stopped. In fact, he is known as ‘King Kohei’ in the gymnastics world.
The gymnast has seven Olympic gold medals, including four silvers and three golds. No, the achievements don’t end here. Kohei possesses 21 World Championship medals too. He is one of the most famous gymnasts in history.
He remained dedicated to his passion despite facing many injuries and challenges.
Kohei Uchimura is known for his breathtaking routines on floor exercises and parallel bars. He retired in 2021, but his tale of dedication and achievements will stay alive for generations.
| Full name | Kōhei Uchimura |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 34 |
| Kohei Uchimura Height | 1.62 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold Medalist (Multiple)World All-Around Champion (Multiple) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Kohei Uchimura Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $2.5 million |
| Controversy (If any) | – |
18. Alexei Nemov – Famous Gymnasts
The list of the 20 famous gymnasts would be incomplete without Alexie Nemov, a talented Russian gymnast. Born in 1976, Alexei struggled hard to build a remarkable and dazzling career.
Alexie Nemov has a total of 12 Olympic medals, including six bronzes, two silvers, and four golds. His routines on high bars and floor exercises will remain exceptional in gymnastic history.
Besides the Olympics, Alexie won 13 World Championships and three European Championship medals with his artistic skills. The amount of medals Alexie holds is an inspiration for athletes all around the world.
The gymnast retired in 2004 after having a rocking career.
| Full name | Alexei Yurievich Nemov |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 47 |
| Alexie Nemov Height | 1.73 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic All-Around Gold Medalist (Multiple)Olympic Apparatus Gold Medalist (Multiple)World All-Around Champion |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Alexie Nemov Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $9 million |
| Controversy (If any) | Alexie once punched a group of activists. They were allegedly trying to stop the gymnast from double parking. |
19. Oksana Chusovitina
Oksana Chusovitina is an elite Uzbekistani gymnast born in 1975. She is the only gymnast in history who participated in eight Olympic Games, starting in 1992. Moreover, she represented three countries in the games – Uzbekistan, the Soviet Union, and Germany.
Though Uksana played in several Olympic Games, she only had one silver and one team gold medal. However, her stunning and precise routines are still unmatchable.
Oksana is one of the few famous gymnasts who were still competing at the age of 40. She is 48 now and still portrays her artistic skills in front of the world.
Her journey is a living example that age can’t limit you from pursuing your dreams. She is an inspiration for both aspiring and fellow gymnasts.
| Full name | Oksana Aleksandrovna Chusovitina |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 48 |
| Oksana Chusovitina Height | 1.53 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Vault Gold MedalistWorld Vault ChampionEuropean Vault Champion |
| Nationality | Uzbekistani |
| Oksana Chusovitina Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $20 million |
| Controversy | – |
20. Catalina Ponor – Famous Gymnasts
Catalina Ponor is a former Romanian gymnast with incredible strength and grace. She is one of the most famous female gymnasts of the 1990s.
The gymnast’s career is full of achievements. She won three gold medals in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, where she performed stunning routines on floor and balance beams. She also performed in various World Championship games.
Like other gymnasts, Catalina has to face a few obstacles in her way. She had to retire briefly for medical reasons but returned stronger than ever.
| Full name | Cătălina Ponor |
| Age (As of August 2023) | 35 |
| Catalina Ponor Height | 1.6 m |
| Major Titles | Olympic Beam Gold Medalist (Multiple)Olympic Floor Exercise Gold MedalistWorld Beam Champion |
| Nationality | Romanian |
| Catalina Ponor Net Worth (As of August 2023) | $700,000 |
| Controversy (If any) | Catalina’s stepfather was accused of beating two local police officers in 2021. |
Famous Gymnasts: FAQs
Who Is The Greatest Female Gymnast Of All Time?
Simon Biles is known as the greatest and most famous American gymnast of all time. She won numerous world championships and Olympic medals with her excellent skills.
Why Is Simone Biles One Of The Most Famous Gymnasts?
Besides her ground-breaking achievements and notable skills, Simone is very vocal about mental health issues. These things combined make her one of the most famous black gymnasts.
Who Was The Oldest Female Gymnast?
Oksana Chusovitina, from Uzbekistan, holds the title of the oldest female gymnast in the world. She also won a team gold medal in the 1992 Olympic Games.
Who Is The Youngest Female Gymnast Ever?
Guan Chenchen, from China, is one of the youngest female gymnasts ever. She was 16 when she participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
20 Famous Gymnasts: Conclusion
The gymnastics world has witnessed thousands of athletes portraying their skills in the most delicate and stunning manner.
These 20 famous gymnasts have left a permanent mark in the world of gymnastics. From Simone Biles’ achievements to Alexie Nemov’s 12 Olympic gold medals, the journeys of these athletes will continue inspiring generations. They are role models.
Their unmatchable skills and dedication have shown that hard work and passion can take you to unimaginable heights.