Kurt Thomas (gymnast)

Kurt Thomas
Kurt Thomas in Gymkata 1985
Personal information
Full nameKurt Bilteaux Thomas
Born(1956-03-29)March 29, 1956
DiedJune 5, 2020(2020-06-05) (aged 64)
Texas, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Gymnastics career
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
Country
represented
United States
College teamIndiana State Sycamores
Eponymous skillsThomas (pommel horse)
Thomas (floor)
Medal record
Men's artistic gymnastics
Representing  United States
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
World Championships 3 3 1
Pan American Games 1 2 2
Total 4 5 3
World Championships
1978 Strasbourg Floor
1979 Fort Worth Floor
1979 Fort Worth Horizontal bar
1979 Fort Worth All-around
1979 Fort Worth Pommel horse
1979 Fort Worth Parallel bars
1979 Fort Worth Team
Pan American Games
1975 Mexico City Team
1975 Mexico City Pommel horse
1975 Mexico City Vault
1975 Mexico City All-around
1975 Mexico City Horizontal bar

Kurt Bilteaux Thomas (March 29, 1956 – June 5, 2020) was an American Olympic gymnast and part-time actor. He was a member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team and in 1978 he became the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. In 1979, he won six medals at the world championship, setting the record for most medals won at a single world championship by an American gymnast, a feat matched only by Simone Biles in 2018. He competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Thomas was favored to win a medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics but was unable to compete due to the USA boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games.