I think that, too. One reason I think is because there have been problems with anorexia in gymnastics, so I think the US may actually be trying to help curb that by not focusing on weight. That's a total guess on my part, but if it's true I think it's great.
The other thing, which I think is probably more true, is that the other countries (especially the Europeans) focus on dance a lot more. I remember hearing a while ago that the Russians took a ballet class every day as part of training. Ballet creates long, lean muscles. Obviosuly gymnasticas creats bunched up, thick muscles. I think the ballet training by a lot of the other countries is contributing to their look.
I read an article yesterday about how much more graceful many of the other countries are. The Americans can jump and flip like crazy, but they are stiff and lack style and grace. Having a BFA in dance and being a long-time lover of gymnastics, I would really like to become involved in a program that gave more dance training to gymnasts. I think if they understood the true dance science behind their turns and leaps, they wouldn't fall out of them so much or look so clunky doing them. That saves valuable tenths you know!!!
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