GETTING A GRIP A GYMNAST'S ROUTINE IS ALL ABOUT HANDIWORK AND FOOTHOLDS
Whatever the discipline, no matter the routine, the gymnasts
who wowed the crowds at the Georgia Dome during compulsories the
past two days use every part of the body as they fly hither and
yon. Nobody, least of all us, would argue that the hands and the
feet are necessarily the most important parts. But try taking
off, landing, suspending yourself in midair or simply hanging on
without them.
COLOR PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER READ MILLER [Male gymnast's arm holding ring]
COLOR PHOTO: BILL FRAKES [Male gymnast's hands gripping bar]
COLOR PHOTO: WALTER IOOSS JR. [Male gymnast's hands on mat]
COLOR PHOTO: MANNY MILLAN [Time-lapsed photo of male gymnast gripping pommel horse]
COLOR PHOTO: WALTER IOOSS JR. [Female gymnast chalking feet]
COLOR PHOTO: BILL FRAKES [Female gymnast's feet on balance beam]