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Description
Flying Rings was a gymnastic event similar to Still Rings, but with the performer gripping a pair of rings, approximately shoulder width apart, and swinging - from the point of suspension of the rings - while executing a series of stunts. Gymnastics is a Sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength agility and coordination The rings, also known as the still rings in contrast to the Flying rings, is an Artistic gymnastics apparatus and the event that uses it
Apparatus
Whereas still rings are now suspended from a support almost 19 feet above the floor, flying rings – also used as still rings in the past – were on cables up to 22 feet in length - the extra four feet allowing the gymnast to swing through an impressive arc. The rings themselves were at times larger and heavier than competition still rings today, designed on a steel core covered by rubber or leather.
History
There is some evidence that the event took place in an international contest in the late 1800s, if not earlier. Records from Princeton University indicate one of its students, H. Princeton University is a private Coeducational research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. G. Otis, won the Eastern Intercollegiate Championships in flying rings in 1902. Year 1902 ( MCMII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting In America, the event persisted on a regular basis in both NCAA and AAU gymnastic competitions until the early 1960s, when those governing bodies eliminated the flying rings in future meets in an effort to correlate apparatus and performances with those in the modern Olympic Games. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games Another reason flying rings was removed from intercollegiate competitions is the dangerous nature of the event, with the gymnast soaring to a height of 15 feet or so at each end of a swing. Frank Snay, of Navy, was the last winner in the NCAA event in 1961. The United States Naval Academy is an undergraduate college in Annapolis, Maryland, United States that educates and commissions officers of the United States The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It is difficult to ascertain if flying rings ever existed in the Olympic Games, for records occasionally cite medalists in "flying rings" when in fact the event may have been the still rings.
The Performance
To start a routine, the gymnast jumped or was lifted until he could grasp the rings; then an assistant pulled or pushed him, starting his swing. At the end of each arc the gymnast would do pikes, dislocates or front or back-uprises to build up height. A typical routine would show a number of "flying" dislocates or inlocates (a dislocate leading directly to a support above the rings or a handstand was called a flange). A handstand is the act of supporting the body in a stable inverted vertical position by balancing on the hands The performer might also do additional moves typical of the still rings while in flight, such as a flying cross. The rings, also known as the still rings in contrast to the Flying rings, is an Artistic gymnastics apparatus and the event that uses it After several passes the routine would end with a (usually) spectacular dismount, normally off a front swing - with fellow gymnasts in place, prepared to help break a fall if the move failed.
Safety features
No nets or other safety devices, apart from standard gym mats, were used in competition, although, when training, gymnasts frequently used a flying mechanic (a suspended support rig).
Spectator appeal
Flying rings was very popular with spectators, for it had the unmistakable aura of a daring circus performance. Gymnasts at Santa Monica Muscle Beach, California would frequently do astounding dismounts from a great height. Muscle Beach refers to either Muscle Beach Venice, an area in Venice, California, United States, on Ocean Front Walk two blocks north of California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.
References
"Complete Book of Gymnastics" by N. Loken & R. Willoughby, (1959) Prentice-Hall, Inc.
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