Trampoline Olympics History: Fun Facts & Fascinating Insights!

One of the most breathtaking competitions of the Olympics is trampolining.  

As competitors fly through the air in a cascade of flips and tricks, gravity seems completely defied.  

As you get ready to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics, we at Springfree Trampoline compiled a list of fun facts to get you prepped for the trampoline competition.  

Get ready to soar with knowledge!  

Banner image courtesy of Britannica.  

When Did Trampolining Become an Olympic Sport?  

The trampoline became an official part of the Olympics at the 2000 Sydney Games.   

This was after a decision by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) Executive Board in 1997 after a decade of lobbying from top trampolinists.  

(This even included trampolinists performing outside the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland in front of International Olympic Committee Members!)  

Russia’s Alexander Moskalenko and Irina Karavayeva were the first Olympic trampoline winners at the 2000 Olympic Games.  

Irina Karavayeva at the Olympics: 

Photo courtesy of CBC.  

Although the trampoline was not featured in the Olympics until 2000, it was a competitive sport well before the turn of the century.  

The first U.S. National Championships were held in 1948, and the first World Championships occurred in 1964 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.   

9 Fun Facts About the Olympic Trampoline Competition   

Now that you know a little about the Olympic trampoline event history, let’s get to some cool facts about the competition! These will help you prepare for the 2024 Games.   

2: The number of parts in Olympic trampolining. The first is a required section of moves the athlete will perform. The next part is the voluntary portion where competitors can choose their own moves.  

10: The number of skills performed in an Olympic trampoline routine. There is also a 10-bounce rule that says the competitor must only make contact with the trampoline 10 times.   

Here is an example of what a trampoline routine looks like. This was Bryony Page’s routine from the 2022 Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships – she’s one of the top athletes to watch at this year’s Olympic Games:  

Video courtesy of FIG Channel.  

16: The number of male and female athletes competing in trampolining (16 per gender). Only 8 move on to the final round. 

33 ft: The approximate maximum height a trampolinist can reach during competition.  

9: The number of judges who score the competitors.  

3: The number of criteria the judges assess to provide scores. This includes the number of moves a competitor does in mid-air, the execution of every trick performed and the time of flight.  

10 ft x 17 ft: The size of an Olympic Trampoline.   

An Olympic Trampoline:  

Photo courtesy of Rebound Products. 

Did you know? Our Springfree Jumbo Oval Trampoline measures 12 ft x 19 ft, bigger than an Olympic-sized trampoline. It’s perfect for practicing trampoline, gymnastics or cheerleading routines in your backyard! 

 

118-126: The number of trampoline springs used on an Olympic Trampoline. 

17: The number of medals won by the People’s Republic of China in trampolining since 2000, the most of any country.   

When Will the 2024 Olympic Trampoline Competition Occur?   

The 2024 Olympic Trampoline Competition will be held on August 2nd at Bercy Arena in Paris, France.  

Here’s a look at the schedule:  

 

Top 2024 Olympic Trampoline competitors to watch: Bryony Page (Great Britain), Yan Lang (China), Ivan Litvinovich (AIN) and Jessica Stevens (USA).   

Want More Riveting Trampoline Facts?   

Trampolines are an established part of the Olympics, and we hope this article prepped you well for the competition!  

A trampoline is much more than a place to bounce off your energy, though.   

Did you know that trampolines have been used by NASA and the military for training?   

Or that they are a prime spot for breaking Guinness World Records (including the highest trampoline bounce -- 22 ft, 1 in --ever recorded!)?  

For more unique facts, check out our 29 Surprising Trampoline Facts You Never Knew.