Hypothesizing the International Museum of Gymnastics

Abstract

Hypothesizing the International Museum of Gymnastics proposes a museum for the sport of gymnastics utilizing the frameworks of contemporary museology in the post-colonial era. Gymnastics is often overlooked as a historical source with great academic insights. There’s not much thought about it beyond the quadrennial Olympics. However, there’s lots to be learned through the sport regarding the body, international relations/war, ideas of perfection, sexism, racism, etc. Having existed since ancient Greece, there’s a plethora of rich history to be preserved and accentuated. This speculative essay and mock-business proposal case studies sports museums and other specialized institutions across the United States in order to idealize the structure, function, and possible success of a museum dedicated to one of the world’s most captivating, and gravity-defying physical activities.