Gymnastics is a beautiful and fascinating sport that has captured the hearts of people around the world for generations. But what happens when we take a closer look at the culture and history of gymnastics? An insider’s perspective can be discovered through documentaries about this captivating activity. These films offer an intimate view into the artistry, strength, and dedication of athletes, coaches, and judges. From biographies to behind-the-scenes looks at the competitive scene, here are some of the best documentaries about gymnastics.
1. Building a World-Class Gymnastics Team
This inspiring six-part documentary series chronicles the story of five American gymnasts who, despite obstacles and challenges, rose to greatness. Through exclusive interviews with Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Samantha Peszek, Dominique Moceanu and Amanda Borden, viewers are offered a window into each athlete’s journey to achieving excellence on the world stage. We learn of their resilience in the face of adversity, and how they motivated each other to success. It’s a story that not only celebrates the achievements of these remarkable athletes, but also showcases what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication. Tune in and be inspired!
2. At the Heart of Gold Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal
The movie “At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal” is an incredibly powerful and heartbreaking story. It follows the brave survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse, shedding light on a dark chapter in this beloved sport. It reveals how far his insidious manipulation extended, and how much courage it took for the survivors to step forward and be heard. The film conveys the complexity of the situation without overshadowing the beauty and grace that gymnastics has to offer.
3. Gymnast: UK British Gymnastics Documentary
Gymnast. A captivating documentary showcasing the UK Gymnastics team and their journey to the Olympic Games. Featuring exclusive interviews with athletes, trainers and coaches, this compelling film follows a team of dedicated gymnasts as they push themselves to new heights in pursuit of a gold medal. Follow them on an emotional roller coaster ride as they prepare for the biggest event of their lives – the Olympic Games. Witness the breathtakingly beautiful performances as they flip and spin, defying gravity with every move. Get an inside look at the hard work, dedication and commitment that goes into training for this elite sport, while also gaining insight into how teamwork and camaraderie can be a powerful tool in achieving success.
4. Soviet Gymnastics Documentary
With its bright colors and vibrant music, You are in Gymnastics is a captivating documentary about the Soviet Union’s rise to power through gymnastics. This movie follows the story of three female gymnasts, their coach, and the military-style training they endure as they strive for Olympic gold. With never-before-seen footage, this film takes you on a journey of determination and patriotism as the girls fight for glory in a world where perfection is expected. You will not only learn about the grueling lifestyle of an elite gymnast, but you will also get insight into how GMOS have impacted their training and nutrition.
5. Aly Raisman: Quest for Gold – Gymnastics Documentary
Alexandra Rose “Aly” Raisman (born May 25, 1994) is an American artistic gymnast who was captain of the gold medal-winning US Women’s Gymnastics team at the 2012 Summer Olympics and individually won a gold medal on the floor and a bronze medal on the balance beam. She was also on the US team that won the 2011 World Championship.
6. Up in the Air | Gymnastics Documentary | Team Canada
Delve into the inspiring and remarkable stories of Canada’s Women’s Gymnastics Team as they prepare for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Get an exclusive look at some of the elite athletes striving to reach their goals, including Ellie Black, Brooklyn Moors, Shallon Olsen, Ana Padurariu, Ava Stewart, Rose Woo and Victoria Woo. Follow the team through all of their highs and lows as they compete for a chance to become Olympians, and discover what it takes to make it at the highest level. Up in the Air: Gymnastics Documentary | Team Canada is an insightful and motivating story about dedication, hard work and determination.
7. Athletes speak out on the toxic culture of abuse in Canadian gymnastics | W5 INVESTIGATION
Athlete abuse in Canadian gymnastics is a devastating issue that has been increasingly coming to the public’s attention. CTV W5 has dedicated an investigative report to explore this toxic culture and hear from former gymnasts who are part of the struggle against mistreatment within their sport. The documentary aims to shed light on the heartbreaking stories of those affected, as well as provide a platform for those speaking out against the coaches, trainers and administrators responsible.
8. Abuse and Healing in Women’s Gymnastics
Women’s gymnastics is a sport that requires extreme dedication and strength, yet has often been marred by the shocking amount of abuse endured by its athletes. In our latest documentary series, we delve into the culture that allowed USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar to take advantage of these young women – and how they are now reclaiming their sport through courage and resilience. These five documentaries explore the stories of survivors, their struggles to speak out, and how they are now using their life skills learned through gymnastics to heal from the abuse.
9. Unlocking Gymnastics’ Most Powerful Event
Explore the Rich History and Tradition of Gymnastics’ Most Intense Event: The VaultThe vault has long been a cornerstone of gymnastics, and its roots can be traced back centuries. It is not without risk, however, as it requires a tremendous amount of power and precision to perform correctly. This fourth part of this six-part documentary series delves into the innovation and risk-taking that has become synonymous with this most intense event.
10. Magnificent 7 – Gymnastics Documentary
The Magnificent Seven are a legendary group of gymnastic athletes who made history in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The seven members of the team, which included Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Kerri Strug, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps were responsible for winning the first-ever gold medal for the United States in the women’s team competition. The feat was made even more remarkable by Strug’s iconic vault landing despite an injury to her ankle, which secured the gold medal for the team.
