In elite gymnastics, shorter stature has traditionally been seen as an advantage, providing better rotation speed and agility. However, several tall female gymnasts have defied this expectation, proving that height can also lead to remarkable success at the Olympic level.
Here’s a detailed look at some of the tallest female gymnasts in Olympic history, including those who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Quick Reference Table
| Gymnast Name | Height | Discipline | Olympic Years | Medal Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kateryna Serebrianska | 5′11″ (180 cm) | Rhythmic | 1996 | Gold – Individual All-Around (1996) |
| Olga Kapranova | 5′9″ (175 cm) | Rhythmic | 2008 | 4th – Individual All-Around (2008) |
| Marie-Sophie Hindermann | 5′9″ (175 cm) | Artistic | 2008 | No medals – Competed in All-Around, Floor, Uneven Bars, Beam |
| Anna Bessonova | 5′9″ (175 cm) | Rhythmic | 2004, 2008 | Bronze – Individual All-Around (2004, 2008) |
| Evita Griskenas | 5′8″ (172 cm) | Rhythmic | 2020, 2024 | No medals – Multiple Pan Am Games golds |
| Georgia-Rose Brown | 5′8″ (172 cm) | Artistic | 2024 | No medals – Multiple Commonwealth Games medals |
| Bryony Page | 5′8″ (172 cm) | Trampoline | 2016, 2020, 2024 | Gold (2024), Silver (2016), Bronze (2020) |
| Yana Kudryavtseva | 5′8″ (172 cm) | Rhythmic | 2016 | Silver – Individual All-Around (2016) |
| Nina Derwael | 5′7″ (170 cm) | Artistic | 2020 | Gold – Uneven Bars (2020) |
| Kyla Ross | 5′7″ (170 cm) | Artistic | 2012 | Gold – Team All-Around (2012) |
| Margarita Mamun | 5′7″ (170 cm) | Rhythmic | 2016 | Gold – Individual All-Around (2016) |
Here’s the breakdown of tall gymnasts in each gymnastics category:
Rhythmic Gymnastics (6 gymnasts):
- Kateryna Serebrianska (5′ 11″)
- Olga Kapranova (5′ 9″)
- Anna Bessonova (5′ 9″)
- Evita Griskenas (5′ 8″)
- Yana Kudryavtseva (5′ 8″)
- Margarita Mamun (5′ 7″)
Rhythmic gymnastics tends to attract taller athletes due to the fluid, expressive movements and extensive use of apparatus (like ribbons and hoops) that benefit from longer lines and more expansive movements. Height can contribute to the overall grace and dynamic display of routines, making it an advantage for gymnasts in this sport.
Artistic Gymnastics (4 gymnasts):
- Marie-Sophie Hindermann (5′ 9″)
- Georgia-Rose Brown (5′ 8″)
- Nina Derwael (5′ 7″)
- Kyla Ross (5′ 7″)
Artistic gymnastics has fewer tall gymnasts compared to rhythmic gymnastics because shorter athletes are typically favored due to the sport’s focus on explosive power, strength, and flexibility. Taller gymnasts may find it harder to achieve the necessary compactness and agility for events like the vault, bars, and floor.
Trampoline Gymnastics (1 gymnast):
- Bryony Page (5′ 8″)
Trampoline gymnastics generally favors athletes of average height or slightly shorter because the sport demands agility, quick rotations, and powerful jumps. While Bryony Page’s height allowed her to excel, trampoline gymnastics does not have as many tall athletes because height is not necessarily a major advantage in this discipline, where explosiveness and precision are more important.
Gymnast Profiles
Kateryna Serebrianska – 5′11″ (180 cm)
The Ukrainian rhythmic star remains one of the tallest gymnasts ever to win Olympic gold. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, her long lines and extended body shapes made her ribbon and hoop work especially eye-catching. Her ability to blend elegance with control showed how height could amplify artistry in rhythmic gymnastics.
Olga Kapranova – 5′9″ (175 cm)
Kapranova’s tall, lean build gave her routines a sharp, elegant quality. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. Known for her speed and precision with apparatus handling, her height contributed to the fluidity and reach of her movements.
Marie-Sophie Hindermann – 5′9″ (175 cm)
Competing for Germany in artistic gymnastics, Hindermann was one of the tallest athletes ever on the uneven bars. Coaches often had to raise the bars to fit her frame. While her size sometimes made compact tumbling more challenging, her elegant lines and expressive beam work stood out.
Anna Bessonova – 5′9″ (175 cm)
A two-time Olympic bronze medalist from Ukraine, Bessonova was known for her charisma and artistic flair. Her height gave her routines a theatrical presence, with extensions that filled the competition floor. Judges often praised her ability to combine strength with grace.
Evita Griskenas – 5′8″ (172 cm)
As one of the tallest U.S. rhythmic gymnasts, Griskenas brought a statuesque elegance to Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020. While she didn’t medal, her height and expressive choreography made her a standout in international competitions, particularly at the Pan American Games where she dominated.
Georgia-Rose Brown – 5′8″ (172 cm)
Representing New Zealand in Paris 2024, Brown’s tall frame made her beam and bar work visually distinctive. Though taller athletes sometimes struggle with quick rotations, her strength and refined presentation allowed her to compete confidently on the Olympic stage.
Bryony Page – 5′8″ (172 cm)
Tall for a trampolinist, Page turned her height into an advantage by producing striking lines in the air. Her control and technique helped her become Britain’s first Olympic trampoline champion in 2024, completing her medal set after silver in 2016 and bronze in 2020.
Yana Kudryavtseva – 5′8″ (172 cm)
Nicknamed the “Angel with Iron Wings,” Kudryavtseva was celebrated for her precision and elegance. Her height contributed to her flowing style with apparatus, earning her silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics all-around and cementing her legacy as one of rhythmic gymnastics’ greats.
Nina Derwael – 5′7″ (170 cm)
The Belgian gymnast’s tall frame helped her create breathtaking lines on uneven bars. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she became Belgium’s first Olympic gymnastics gold medalist. Her long body made her bar swings look effortless and gave her transitions unique rhythm and style.
Kyla Ross – 5′7″ (170 cm)
Part of the U.S. “Fierce Five” at London 2012, Ross contributed to the team’s gold medal. While taller than most teammates, her long extensions made her beam and bar routines stand out. She later became the first female gymnast to win Olympic, World, and NCAA titles.
Margarita Mamun – 5′7″ (170 cm)
Mamun’s tall, graceful figure was perfect for rhythmic gymnastics. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, she captured the gold medal in the individual all-around. Her performances were praised for their artistry and emotional depth, enhanced by the sweeping lines her height allowed.
Conclusion
- Rhythmic: Tall gymnasts do well because long lines look elegant.
- Artistic: Shorter gymnasts flip faster, but some tall ones succeed too.
- Trampoline: Shorter is common, but tall gymnasts can still shine.
Both tall and short gymnasts can win if they use their strengths.
