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 in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
| Gymnast Name | Height | Discipline | Olympic Years | Medal Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kateryna Serebrianska | 5′ 11″ (180 cm) | Rhythmic | 1996 | Gold in Individual All-Around (1996) |
| Olga Kapranova | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) | Rhythmic | 2008 | 4th place in Individual All-Around (2008) |
| Marie-Sophie Hindermann | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) | Artistic | 2008 | No Olympic medals; competed in All-Around, Floor, Uneven Bars, and Balance Beam |
| Anna Bessonova | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) | Rhythmic | 2004, 2008 | Bronze in Individual All-Around (2004, 2008) |
| Evita Griskenas | 5′ 8″ (172 cm) | Rhythmic | 2020, 2024 | No Olympic medals; multiple Pan American Games golds |
| Georgia-Rose Brown | 5′ 8″ (172 cm) | Artistic | 2024 | No Olympic 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 in Individual All-Around (2016) |
| Nina Derwael | 5′ 7″ (170 cm) | Artistic | 2020 | Gold on Uneven Bars (2020) |
| Kyla Ross | 5′ 7″ (170 cm) | Artistic | 2012 | Gold in Team All-Around (2012) |
| Margarita Mamun | 5′ 7″ (170 cm) | Rhythmic | 2016 | Gold in Individual All-Around (2016) |
Kateryna Serebrianska – 5′ 11″ (180 cm)
Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Kateryna Serebrianska stands at 5′ 11″, making her one of the tallest gymnasts in Olympic history. She made history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by becoming the first female rhythmic gymnast to hold the European, World, and Olympic all-around titles simultaneously. Serebrianska’s height did not hinder her performance; instead, it contributed to her graceful and expansive routines.
Olga Kapranova – 5′ 9″ (175 cm)
Olga Kapranova, standing at 5′ 9″ (175 cm), is a retired Russian rhythmic gymnast known for her precision and technical skill. She competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finishing fourth in the individual all-around competition. Kapranova’s height and grace made her a standout performer during her career.
Marie-Sophie Hindermann – 5′ 9″ (175 cm)
German artistic gymnast Marie-Sophie Hindermann was one of the tallest gymnasts to compete in the Olympics. Standing at 5′ 7″, she required adjustments to the uneven bars during her career. Hindermann competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and retired from competitive gymnastics in December 2012.
Anna Bessonova – 5′ 9″ (175 cm)
Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Anna Bessonova, with a height of 5′ 9″, was one of the tallest in her field. She won two Olympic bronze medals (2004 and 2008) and multiple World and European Championship medals. Bessonova’s stature contributed to her dynamic and expressive performances, making her a standout athlete in rhythmic gymnastics.
Evita Griskenas – 5′ 8″ (172 cm)
American rhythmic gymnast Evita Griskenas, also at 5′ 8″, competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and returned for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her height enabled her to perform with extended lines and dynamic movements, contributing to her success on the international stage.
Georgia-Rose Brown – 5′ 8″ (172 cm)
Australian-born New Zealand artistic gymnast Georgia-Rose Brown, standing at 5′ 8″, competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her height necessitated adjustments to equipment, such as raising the uneven bars, but she leveraged her stature to execute powerful and graceful routines. Brown’s height and experience brought a unique presence to the competition.
Bryony Page – 5′ 8″ (172 cm)
British trampoline gymnast Bryony Page, standing at 5′ 8″, made history by becoming the first British gymnast to win an Olympic trampoline title at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her height and experience allowed her to perform complex routines with precision, earning her a full set of Olympic medals: gold in Paris, silver in Rio, and bronze in Tokyo.
Yana Kudryavtseva – 5′ 8″ (172 cm)
Russian rhythmic gymnast Yana Kudryavtseva, at 5′ 8″, was celebrated for her flexibility and precision. She became the youngest rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around world champion at 15 years old in 2013. Kudryavtseva’s height did not hinder her ability to perform intricate routines with grace and accuracy.
Nina Derwael – 5′ 7″ (170 cm)
Belgian artistic gymnast Nina Derwael, at 5′ 7″, is shorter than some of her peers but has achieved remarkable success. She became the first artistic gymnast representing Belgium to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games by claiming victory on uneven bars at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Kyla Ross – 5′ 7″ (170 cm)
American artistic gymnast Kyla Ross, at 5′ 7″, was the first female gymnast to win Olympic, World, and NCAA championships. She competed in the 2012 London Olympics, where she contributed to the United States’ team gold medal. Ross’s height allowed her to perform with extended lines and dynamic movements.
Margarita Mamun – 5′ 7″ (170 cm)
Russian rhythmic gymnast Margarita Mamun, standing at 5′ 7″, won the gold medal in the individual all-around competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her height enabled her to perform with grace and precision, contributing to her success on the international stage.
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.
Conclusion:
- Rhythmic gymnastics sees the most tall gymnasts, with height enhancing the ability to create expansive, graceful routines.
- Artistic gymnastics includes fewer tall athletes, as shorter gymnasts tend to have an advantage in rotational speed and balance, but tall gymnasts still make notable contributions, especially on specific apparatuses.
- Trampoline gymnastics has the fewest tall gymnasts, as explosive power is more important, but height still offers an advantage for certain aerial skills.
Taller athletes can thrive in rhythmic gymnastics due to the emphasis on flexibility, grace, and artistic expression, while shorter gymnasts tend to excel in artistic gymnastics and trampoline due to the need for quick, powerful movements and strength.