WOMEN’S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS IN BRAZIL: PATHS TAKEN FROM 1966 TO 2021

• Published in: Science of gymnastics journal Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 225 - 253
• Main Authors: Bartholomeu de Queiroz Lima, Leticia, Coelho Bortoleto, Marco Antonio, Santos Oliveira, Maurício, Marconi Schiavon, Laurita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) 29.06.2024
• Subjects: Artistic Gymnastics; Brazil; History; Women
• ISSN: 2232-2639; 1855-7171
• DOI: 10.52165/sgj.16.2.225-253

Brazilian men’s and women’s Artistic Gymnastics (AG) has been in the spotlight due to the results of some outstanding athletes in the most important international competitions over the last 20 years. However, the development of this sport in the national context does not reflect these achievements. This article performs a critical analysis of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) in Brazil, reviewing the trajectory of the main gymnasts and their achievements in the World Championships and Olympic Games from 1966 to 2021, as well as relevant contextual facts during this historical period. Medals in major events have been won since 2001, with gradual and unstable growth, placing Brazil among the most prominent countries. Nevertheless, the data suggest that the achievements were based on concentrated investment in elite gymnasts, mainly in the Olympic team, with the support of already established clubs. The development is still centralized in a few clubs, without showing a sustainable increase in the number of clubs and gymnasts. In this scenario, there is a need for a long-term plan that can sustain the development of the national ecosystem (clubs, local competitions, provincial federations) across all age-group categories and in connection with the national teams.. Brazilska moška in ženska orodna telovadba je bila v središču pozornosti zaradi rezultatov nekaterih izjemnih športnikov na najpomembnejših mednarodnih tekmovanjih v zadnjih 20 letih. Vendar pa razvoj tega športa v narodnem smislu ne odraža teh dosežkov. Ta članek izvaja kritično razčlenitev ženske orodne telovadbe v Braziliji, pregleduje pot glavnih telovadk in njihove dosežke na svetovnih prvenstvih in olimpijskih igrah od leta 1966 do 2021 ter pomembna dejstva v tem zgodovinskem obdobju. Odličja na velikih tekmovanjih se osvajajo od leta 2001, s postopno in nestabilno rastjo pa se Brazilija uvršča med najuglednejše države. Kljub temu podatki kažejo, da so dosežki temeljili na zgoščenem vlaganju v izbrane odlične telovadce, predvsem v olimpijsko vrsto ob podpori že uveljavljenih društev. Razvoj je še vedno usmerjen in osredotočen na nekaj društev, brez trajnega povečanja števila društev in telovadcev. V tem scenariju obstaja potreba po dolgoročnem načrtu, ki lahko vzdržuje razvoj narodnega okolja (društev, krajevnih tekmovanj, pokrajinskih zvez) v vseh starostnih kategorijah in v povezavi s telovadnimi vrstami.