Kurt Thomas was an American Olympic gymnast, born on March 29, 1956, who left an indelible mark on the sport. He was the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which he achieved in 1978.
Thomas's impressive career began when he became a member of the US Olympic team at the 1976 Summer Olympics. His remarkable performance at the 1979 World Championships earned him six medals, including gold on the horizontal bar and floor exercise, and silver in the all-around, parallel bars, and pommel horse. This outstanding achievement made him a favorite to win a gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics, which unfortunately were boycotted by the United States government.
Thomas's gymnastic skills were so exceptional that two moves were named after him. The Thomas Flair, a pommel horse move, and the Thomas salto, his signature skill on floor exercise, a tucked 1.5 backward salto with 1.5 twist into a roll out, were both testaments to his incredible talent.
Sadly, Kurt Thomas passed away on June 5, 2020, at the age of 64, following a stroke that occurred two weeks prior. The stroke was caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem, which was a result of his age and the natural wear and tear on the human body.
Throughout his life, Thomas's dedication, passion, and love for gymnastics inspired countless individuals, and his legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered by the gymnastics community and beyond.
