Gymnastic Wear With '80s Flair

A performance by Russia’s Alina Kabayeva (Photo by REUTERS)

I have my friend Art to thank for today’s post! He brought this gallery of headless rhythmic gymnasts to my attention, and once I got a glimpse of the body-contorting fun, it became clear that some of the leotards were a little bit ’80s… So in the spirit of the 2012 Summer Olympics, here are some amazing pics and flashy ensembles for your viewing enjoyment! Heads are optional.

Let’s start with the pink and purple leotard above! Rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabayeva from Russia wears the jagged print well. Her color-coordinated hoop obviously agrees, and so would Jem. Below we see Spanish gymnast Nuria Artiguez in a leopard print leotard with bright orange accents. Time for the hair metal? Quite possibly.

Spain’s Nuria Artiguez performs (Photo By Efrem Lukatsky/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

It’s hard to say what’s most intriguing about Ukranian gymnast Alina Maksymenko’s ensemble below: the rhinestones or the geometric print that reminds us of an ’80s album cover. I think the Nagel girl from the Duran Duran Rio album wore purple earrings that would’ve perfectly complemented this leotard.

Ukraine’s Alina Maksymenko performs (Photo By Vasily Fedosenko/REUTERS)

…and I once had a pair of jams that would’ve complemented the exotically tropical spandex number below, worn by Maksymenko at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships: