Christy Henrich
Christy Henrich 
was a member of the US Gymnastic Team. She was born July 18, 1972. She trained at the Great American Gymnastic Express Club in Blue Springs, MO. In 1986, she mad ethe US National Gymnastics team. She finished ninth at the 1988 Olympic Trials and in 1989 placed second (silver medal) in the all-round competition at the 1989 US National Championships. She used a leap in her balance beam routine that was eventually named for her.
Unfortunately, Christy was told in 1989 by a judge that she needed to lose weight. Instead of eating healthy and taking appropriate nutritional supplements, Christy developed an eating disorder. In a sport that is based on small size, Christy’s frame was a bit larger than some. Her disorder finally created such a problem, that she was asked to leave the gym.
Her weight dropped and her family finally managed to get her to enter a hospital for treatment. She would recover, but eventually slip back into the dangerous pattern. Christy died on July 26, 1994 at the age of 22 from multiple organ failure. She was 4′11″ tall and weighed only 47 pounds.
Since Christy’s death, many other gymnast have stepped forward and admitted their own battles with eating disorders. However, many still contend that the sport is still obsessed with the pencil thin gymnastic body image.
i dont think the gymnastics culture really exists at all in the US as something enjoyable and healthy like it has in Europe for hundreds of years. Wasn’t it just a case of the Russians are ahead and we have to push push push till we catch up. If a girl wants to have a healthy life would
she not be better taking up yoga or volleyball. It may be very difficult to find more dishonest people than the coachesand parents of gymnasts. The culture doesnt exist and are we not dishonest to pretend it does. Everytime i venture
close to the gymnastic world the dishonesty is very apparent
as evidenced by extreme privacy, and speeded up bound
together reflexes which never flow just movement forcing movement dreams that are never triggered .Gymnastics leaves girls with lives of bitterness and anger and a feeling of never being what they thought they could be
I think that this was more of a problem a decade and longer ago. The problem of eating disorders in sport have come to light and now most sports offer an enjoyable experience which is healthy.I think more should have been done in this case and christy’s coaches should have realised the danger of her eating disorder.
“Gymnastics leaves girls with lives of bitterness and anger and a feeling of never being what they thought they could be”– you have no idea what youre talking about
i agree, i was a gymnast from ages 4 to 14 then did highschol gymnastics cuz i was in the state of mind where i wanted to socialize, but after looking back i realized i could have been someone greater.. i was the youngest gymnast in my group and like to consider the best for my level… i won state one year and have traveled the country. i also had an eating disorder that i think came from gymnastics. all the judging and training. just the strive for perfection. but i look back and wish i would have kept with it cuz i know i would have been someone. i also think that i could help girls like i used to be and want to help them.. many of my fellow members are now enrolled in psychology, its a very known program for gymnast to go into. even if girls dont admit being how i was, i know alot of them were.. i to have a strong interest in that field and would love to get my word out,…
bummer about her
yo yo
Gymnastices is awesome