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Meta Elste-Neumann October 16, 1919-October 30, 2010 Died at 91 years old from cancer complications. German-American Gymnast. Life Before America. Born in Bremen, Germany Came through Ellis Island 1923 Was three years old at the time Mom, and two siblings came to America
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Meta Elste-NeumannOctober 16, 1919-October 30, 2010Died at 91 years old from cancer complications German-American Gymnast
Life Before America • Born in Bremen, Germany • Came through Ellis Island • 1923 • Was three years old at the time • Mom, and two siblings came to America • Moved to Chicago • Father stayed behind for a little with the family business
Her Early Gymnastics Career • Started at age 6 • Under father’s coaching • Trained at the Lincoln Turner Hall in Chicago • Motto: “Strong body, sound mind.”
WWII • WWII canceled the 1940 and 1944 Summer Olympics • What could have been her Olympic individual dream • During the war, worked in a traveling circus for extra money • Performed as an acrobat
Olympic Career • Competed at the 1948 Olympic Trials • 26 years old • Placed 5th and made US Olympic Team • 1948 Olympics were held in London • 0 individual medals • 3 place team(bronze medal) • Respected so much by her team, she was chosen as 1of 2 Olympic Athletes from the entire Olympic team to meet the British Royal Family • Made it to the 1952 Olympics but did not medal
Accomplishments • 3-time US Amateur Athletic Association Champion • 2-time Olympic Athlete • 1948 • 1952 • 1974 inductee to the US Gymnastics Hall of Fame • 3 national titles • 1947-uneven bars • 1949-floor • 1952-beam
End of Career • Retired at the age of 51 • 1972 • Won gold in senior ladies AA division at the Turners National Turnfest in Milwaukee
Gymnastics Information • There are four events in women’s gymnastics-vault, bars, beam, and floor • There are also 11 levels • 1- also known as beginners gymnastics • 2- pre-team • 3- some gyms will start competing at this level but is highly uncommon • 4- where it is more common to start competing • 5- where most gymnasts begin to compete • 6- last year of compulsories • 7- first year of optionals • 8- start to become what America knows as a gymnast • 9- first year to compete nationally • 10-the highest the average gymnast goes • Elite- the Olympic gymnast • (There are also some in between levels)
