Kurt Thomas (gymnast)
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Kurt Bilteaux Thomas (born March 29, 1956 in Miami, Florida) is an American Olympic gymnast.
While at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, Thomas became a member of the US Olympic team at the 1976 Summer Olympics. In 1978, Thomas was the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal in floor exercise in a world championship. In 1979 he became the first gymnast to receive the James E. Sullivan Award for the best amateur athlete in the US and earned two gold medals and three silver medals in international competition. He was expected by many to win a gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics, but the games were boycotted by the United States government. A gymnastic move, the "Thomas flair", is named for him, although it was originally created by L.J. Larson at Arizona State University.
Thomas starred in the 1985 film Gymkata as an athlete sent by the US Government to compete in a deadly competition called "The Game". The movie is still remembered as a notorious flop. It has developed a minor cult following as an unintentional comedy for its poor production quality and low budget. Thomas also was a host for the television show That's Incredible, starred in the syndicated show True Confessions, and has worked as a commentator for ESPN.
Thomas has had personal problems in recent years. In 1986, he declared bankruptcy, and was nearly $9,000 behind in child support payments for his son by a former girlfriend. [1]
In 2003 Thomas was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He currently operates the Kurt Thomas Gymnastics Training Center in Frisco, Texas. His gym has hosted the USAG-sanctioned Kurt Thomas International Invitational gymnastics meet annually since 2003.
[edit] Reference
- ↑ KURT THOMAS. International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Retrieved on April 01, 2006.
