Flips and Flops

Anyone who's ever borne witness to a particularly taut Speedo, watched a gratuitous '80s metal video or seen anyone other than an American Apparel model actually wearing American Apparel knows: Spandex doesn't have the world's best reputation. Perhaps its most redeeming quality is that it is the preferred fabric of...

By Andrea Grimes

August 6, 2009

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Anyone who's ever borne witness to a particularly taut Speedo, watched a gratuitous '80s metal video or seen anyone other than an American Apparel model actually wearing American Apparel knows: Spandex doesn't have the world's best reputation. Perhaps its most redeeming quality is that it is the preferred fabric of the world's gymnasts, who captivate us Summer Olympics after Summer Olympics, nailing perfect 10s with sprained ankles (looking at you, Kerri Strug) and generally being amazing (looking at you, that Jesus-on-the-cross-pose that dudes do on the rings). And they do it all while wearing a fabric that, most of the time, says, "You should probably have opted for that gauzy linen number." But if you're tired of getting your spandex fix from afar, watching flips and tricks on television, consider attending the 2009 Visa Championships, where the world's premier gymnasts compete for the lowest possible interest rate. Or something like that. Last year's gold medalist Nastia Liukin will be competing along with men's silver medalist Jonathan Horton. The competition begins Wednesday and ends Saturday, August 15, at the American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. Tickets are available by the day and multi-days and range from $10 to $350. Visit USA-Gymnastics.org.
Aug. 12-15, 2009

Andrea Grimes

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