MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

While listening to a podcast about badass people (nearly all of whom were men), I decided it was time to celebrate the badass-ness of women. Since this is a gymnastics blog, this article will focus on bad asses in the sport of gymnastics, particularly women in gymnastics. These women are tough for their perseverance, their bravery, and just generally being awesome.

While perusing Tumblr, I found a GIF of young Bailie Key, the current junior national champion and wonder kid that reminded me of a certain gymnastics idol of mine from the 90's.

In 1992, Dominique Moceanu was a baby junior gymnast with big dreams. The ten, soon to be eleven-year-old had started training with Bela and Marta Karolyi after her family moved to Texas in 1991.

 Hollywood has the Barrymores, the Arquettes and the Estevez/Sheens. Music has the Jacksons, the Judds and the Dylans. Reality TV has the Kardashians. Gymnastics has the Liukins, the Caquattos, Moceanus, the Kupets, the Memmels, the Komovas and the Mustafinas. The sport of gymnastics is full of legendary families with gymnastics stars. In this niche, the family business involves winning gold medals and thankfully, not making sex tapes, drinking tiger blood or going to rehab.

18 years ago today, seven women from around the country came together to win the first ever Olympic team gold medal for the USA. Those girls would forever be known as the "Magnificent Seven" or "Mag 7" for short.