Gymn Forum: Ron Galimore biography

Ron Galimore (USA)

1981 Cottbus International AA Bronze Medalist
3-time NCAA Vault Champion

Ron was born on March 7, 1959. His father, Willie Galimore (a running back for the Chicago Bears) died while Ron was five. Galimore played football, but his first love was gymnastics. He trained at the Tallahassee Tumbling Tots and eventually moved to Ft. Lauderdale for more advanced training. Galimore began his NCAA career at Louisiana State, then transferred to Iowa State. In 1981 he became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the NCAA Championships.

Probably the best male vaulter of his time, Galimore was a legitimate medal contender for the 1980 Olympics -- until the US boycott. After graduating from Iowa State with a degree in speech, Galimore ran his own gym in Tallahassee, FL, for several years. He was inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1994, he joined USA Gymnastics as the Men's Program Director, and today he's the Vice President of Events, Olympic Relations and the Men's Program.

Competition Results

1973
JO Jr. Nationals: 3rd AA

1975
National High School Invitational: 2nd AA

1976
AAU Championsihps: 1st FX
National High School Invitational: 4th AA

1977
Golden Sands International: 12th AA
NCAA Championships: 6th AA, 1st FX, 2nd V
Ontario Cup: 8th AA
University Games: 5th Team, 6th V
USA Championships: 9th AA

1978
Mardi Gras Invitational: 3rd AA
Midwest Open: 1st AA, 1st FX, 3rd HB
NCAA Championships: 1st V
NCAA East Regionals: 5th AA, 1st V, 6th FX
Rocky Mountain Open: 1st FX

1979
National Sports Festival: 8th AA, 1st V, 5th FX
USA Championships: 10th AA, 1st FX, 1st V
USA World Team Trials: 10th AA

1980
Caesar's Palace Invitational: 6th AA, 1st FX, 1st V, 4th PB, 9th HB
NCAA Championships: 2nd Team, 3rd AA, 1st V, 2nd FX
USA Championships: 5th AA, 1st FX, 1st V, 3rd PB
USA-FRG Dual Meet: 3rd AA
US Olympic Trials: 4th AA
USGF International Invitational: 5th AA, 1st V, 3rd FX, 3rd R

1981
Cottbus International: 3rd AA, 2nd V, 5th R, 8th PB
National Sports Festival: 6th AA, 1st V
NCAA Championships: 4th AA, 1st V, 3rd R
US World Team Trials: 9th AA