February 19, 2002

ISU's Kurt Thomas reflects on
his time as an Olympian

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Watching the Olympics brings back many memories for former Olympian and Indiana State University gymnast Kurt Thomas.

“I have been watching the coverage as much as my schedule permits. I have my Olympic jacket hanging on the wall in a glass case, but I don’t really think about that time in my life very often. During the Olympics, it does give me a chance to reflect on it. To think that I was one of the people who got to experience that environment as an athlete is really something special,” said Thomas.

Inducted into the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame, Thomas ranks as one of ISU’s greatest athletes. In 1975, he won five medals at the Pan-American Games. He was a member of the 1976 USA Olympic team which placed eighth overall. He also won the American Cup Championship in 1977 and 1980.

In 1977, he helped lead the Indiana State University’s men’s gymnastics team in capturing the first NCAA team title in school history. He holds five NCAA champion titles, winning the parallel bars and all-around in 1977 and the parallel bars, horizontal bars and the all-around in 1979. In 1979, he also received the Sullivan Award given to the top amateur athlete in the country and was named the Athlete of the Year by CBS. Known for his originality, he is the inventor of the “Thomas Flair” and has two other gymnastics skills named after him.

Thomas also was a member of the 1980 USA Olympic team and was considered a strong medal contender. The team did not participate due to the Olympic boycott imposed by former President Jimmy Carter.

“I understand that the boycott was something that had to be done. I don’t have any bitterness about that decision,” said Thomas.

Thomas started the Kurt Thomas School of Gymnastics in Plano, Texas, four years ago and in January 2001, he merged it with ASI gymnastics. He runs the competition training center for female gymnasts ages 7 through 18. He has already helped some of his students land college gymnastic scholarships and hopes to have some of his students competing in future Olympics.

Thomas’ wife, Beckie, is a professional dancer and instructor who also choreographs routines for gymnasts, including many current Olympians. They are the parents of two children, a four-year-old boy and a two-year old daughter.

“We only have female gymnasts in our training center so my son wants nothing to do with it. My daughter, however, is definitely interested in pursuing the sport.”

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