I've been "inside" gymnastics for so long that I don't really know what non-gymnasts think about the sport. The other day I was chatting with a friend, and he told me swimming was the most difficult sport. Naturally I responded, "Yes, swimming, and also gymnastics." He was quick to come back with, "What do you even DO in gymnastics...?" I think in his mind competitive gymnastics is cartwheels and forward rolls, the type of stuff every little kid is exposed to in a rec class when they're little, before it turns into such a serious commitment. I guess it's also because part of gymnastics is making difficult skills look effortless, but I feel like the sport is so unappreciated
But do most people you've talked to think about gymnastics like this, or do you think that generally people understand, at least a little bit, what a huge challenge it is? I know it's hard to know how much strength certain skills take when you've never done them yourself, but I didn't know that people really thought gymnastics was a piece of cake. Hmm... A tad frustrating when you know how tough it is.
But do most people you've talked to think about gymnastics like this, or do you think that generally people understand, at least a little bit, what a huge challenge it is? I know it's hard to know how much strength certain skills take when you've never done them yourself, but I didn't know that people really thought gymnastics was a piece of cake. Hmm... A tad frustrating when you know how tough it is.