Despite not competing in the Olympics, the popular gymnast continues to define his own path
Ian Gunther is one of the most recognized names in American gymnastics, captivating millions with his viral TikTok videos that showcase his training routines, share insights into the sport, and highlight his camaraderie with fellow Stanford athletes like 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Asher Hong and U.S. alternate Khoi Young.
Gunther’s credentials are impressive. He’s a four-time NCAA Champion with Stanford, and he’s been diligently working on a new high bar element that he hopes will one day be named after him in the gymnastics code of points.
Is Ian Gunther Competing in the Paris Olympics?
Unfortunately, no. Ian Gunther did not secure a high enough score at the 2024 U.S. Nationals to advance to the U.S. Olympic Trials. The Paris Olympic team was determined based on performances at these two pivotal competitions. Although Gunther is a talented elite gymnast, he is not currently part of the U.S. national team, which consists of the top 20 gymnasts in the country.
The competition for a spot on the Olympic team was especially fierce this year, with even seasoned Olympians like Shane Wiskus and Yul Moldauer, as well as world medalists like Khoi Young and Donnell Whittenburg, missing out on the Paris team.
Ian explained the selection process in the video below.
Could Ian Gunther Make It to the Olympics Someday?
Making the Olympic or World Gymnastics team is an incredible challenge. These teams consist of only five members, and not only do athletes need to be among the best in the U.S., but they must also contribute to the highest-scoring team combination.
At the 2024 U.S. Nationals, Gunther competed in five events, consistently scoring in the mid-to-high 13s. His best performance was on the high bar, where he placed 8th, followed by a strong showing on rings. However, Gunther’s routines currently lack the difficulty levels seen in other top U.S. gymnasts. To realistically aim for a spot on future World Championships or Olympic teams, Gunther would need to increase the difficulty across all of his routines.
What’s Next for Ian Gunther?
Gunther has already expressed his desire to have a new high bar element named after him in the code of points. To achieve this, he would need to successfully compete with the skill at the World Championships, Olympic Games, or a World Cup event.
Qualifying for a World Cup event might be Gunther’s best shot. These events are individual apparatus competitions, allowing athletes to focus on excelling in one or two events rather than contributing to an overall team score, as required at the World Championships or Olympics.
Even though he’s not currently on the national team, Gunther can still compete in various elite competitions within the U.S., such as the Winter Cup. In early 2024, during one such competition—Beach Blast—Gunther spoke with Neutral Deductions about his future in the sport.
Gymnastics Is More Than the Olympics
For many viewers, the Olympics might seem like the pinnacle of gymnastics. However, elite gymnastics is a year-round global endeavor. While there are only 96 gymnasts in Paris, there are over 1,000 active elite gymnasts registered with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), not to mention the countless others competing at the collegiate level in the NCAA.
Ian Gunther has shown that success in gymnastics isn’t solely defined by Olympic gold medals. He continues to find joy and fulfillment in training and competing, proving that there are many paths to success in the sport he loves.
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Article by: Gabe Sanchez
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