Thomas suffered a stroke in late May and died June 5, the website reported. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. Thomas competed in the 1975 Pan American Games as a member of the U.S. team and he went on to compete in the 1976 Olympics. His. Proud to have been your teammate. McIntosh became the ninth-fastest woman in history in the event. "Yesterday I lost my universe, my best friend and my soul mate of twenty-four years. Kurt Thomas, the first U.S. male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, has died. [13] Thomas also starred in the syndicated TV series True Confessions and worked as a commentator for ABC Sports[14] and ESPN. Kurt Thomas Death - Obituary: Death Of Kurt Thomas | Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death Kurt Thomas Death: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and. He also competed at the 1975 Pan American Games, as well as the 1976 Olympics. However, her husband Kurt Thomas was 64 years old. In 1978, Thomas became the first American male gymnast ever to win a gold medal in floor exercise at the World Championships. He attempted a comeback in 1989, pointing toward the 1992 Olympics. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Lakers playoff hopes take another hit after comeback fades vs. Minnesota, Ducks strike with a pair of late power-play goals to defeat Canadiens, With Norman Powell out, Clippers are edged at Sacramento for fifth loss in a row, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, 15 arrested across L.A. County in crackdown on fraudulent benefit cards, UCLA stuns top-seeded Stanford in Pac-12 womens basketball tournament semifinals, UCLAs senior trio has persevered in restoring the Bruins to national prominence, Pro leagues return-to-play plans rely on major sacrifices and adjustments, the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Honor A.P. [11] However, in gymnastics, new moves are named in the gymnastics rule book after the gymnast who is the first to perform the move in international competition. His father, who managed a meat company, died when he was 7, and he and his siblings were raised by their mother, Ellie, a secretary. Cranial nerve weakness including dysarthria (the speech muscles are damaged, paralyzed, or weakened), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dysphonia (poor voice quality), and facial muscle weakness. Already this season, Stolz swept the 500m, 1000m and 1500m at the world junior championships, plus earned bronze medals in the other two individual events (5000m and mass start). He was 64. Kurt lived his life to the extreme, and I will be forever honored to be his wife. Details of death: Died of a stroke. [7], Three gymnastic moves were named for him, the Thomas flair, a pommel horse move, and the Thomas salto, his signature skill on floor exercise, a tucked 1.5 backward salto with 1.5 twist into a roll out (a difficult and dangerous skill even by today's standards), and the Thomas on High Bar. That led to the Thomas flair being adopted as a technique on the pommel horse, Vault reported. Opens in a new tab or window, Share on Twitter. In the run-up to the 1980 Moscow Games, television was raising Thomass profile. These patients cannot move or talk, but consciousness is evident because of vertical eye movement, which is an oculomotor nerve function. Your email address will not be published. American gymnastic legend Kurt Thomas passed away June 5 at the age of 64. Legendary Olympians Who've Been Honored on Wheaties Boxes, 10 of the Biggest Winter Olympics Moments of the Past 50 Years, Ukraine Wins Second-Most Medals at 2022 Winter Paralympics amid Russian Invasion: 'A Miracle', Tokyo Summer Olympics: All the Firsts at the 2020 Games, Simone Biles Will Compete in Beam Medal Event After Pulling Out of Previous Finals: 'So Excited', Meet the 6 Superstar Members of the USA Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team, Sunisa Lee 'Didn't Even Think' She Could Win Gold in Gymnastics All-Around: 'It Was So Emotional', Timeline of Simone Biles' Tokyo Olympics: From Skipping Opening Ceremony to Exiting Her Event Finals, Unforgettable Photos of Athletes Finding Out They Won Gold at the Tokyo Olympics, PEOPLE Explains: All About North and South Korea's Unified Team at PyeongChang Winter Olympics. June 6, 2020 8:39 PM PT. He had a . Its time for the world to look out for American gymnasts. He is mens gymnastics Baryshnikov.. Ledecky won the 400m free by eight hundredths over McIntosh to extend a decade-long win streak in freestyle races of 400 meters or longer in U.S. pools. Thomass wife, Rebecca, who owned and operated a gymnastics center with her husband in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas, confirmed the death, telling International Gymnast magazine that he had a stroke on May 24. Thomas, who appeared regularly on late-night talk shows in the 1970s, was the first breakthrough American male star in a sport whose spotlight gravitates heavily toward women. Kurt Thomas obituary is not public at the time, we will share more as we learn about the obituary and possibly the funeral. 20052022 MedPage Today, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Conner, who won the gold medal on the parallel bars at the 1979 world championships and at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, wrote on Twitter that Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend.. he always brought light to every room entered. Erin Jackson, the Olympic champion, was the top American in fifth. Ledecky had won all of her domestic freestyle long course finals of 200 meters or longer after a January 2014 defeat to 2012 Olympic champion Allison Schmitt. A presentation of a bouquet of flowers is a special way of showing youre thinking of them and their loss, as the bright colors reflect the personality of the passed loved one. [3][1], Since the Olympics' strict amateurism rules at the time would have forced him to forgo many lucrative financial opportunities, Thomas elected not to attempt to compete in the 1984 Summer Olympics. The Miami native passed away on Friday 5 June, following a stroke, caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Cause of Death, Instagram, Net Worth Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Cause of Death, Shooting, Investigation Report, Net Worth. Thomas earned six medals at the 1979 World Championships, including gold on the horizontal bar and floor exercise, and silver in the all-around, parallel bars, and pommel horse, establishing a new American record for most medals won at a single worlds. She is expected to keep the 400m, 800m and 1500m frees. He was 64 years old. All of us in the gymnastics family are sadden, shocked and devastated by the passing of our own, Nadia Comaneci tweeted. Overall, Ledecky was pleased with her performances Friday night. Kurt Thomas, the U.S. first world champion in gymnastics and an Olympian, died Friday at age 64 after previously suffering a stroke, his family said. Thomas died nearly two weeks after suffering bleeding from his basilar artery, which led to a severe stroke. He died on June 5 at the age of 64. While competing in the 1979 worlds, he won an additional six medals. He also became the youngest man to win a World Cup race. Unfortunately, the prognosis for patients with PCS is not good. The Salto involved a dangerous backward move in a tucked position. Kurt and Beckie, who wed in 1996, operated the Kurt Thomas Gymnastics Training Center in Frisco, Texas, which has hosted USAG-sanctioned Kurt Thomas International Invitational gymnastics meet annually since 2003. wins Santa Anita Derby, puts himself in Kentucky Derby picture, Harvard-Westlakes Bryce Rainer fires out 92-mph fastballs in first start since 2021, Hes taken the next step: How Boogie Ellis found his game as USCs point guard, Even after Gavin Lux injury, Andrew Friedman hints at patient approach with roster, Elliott: After trading away Jonathan Quick, Kings make more deals ahead of trade deadline, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits. An ischemic stroke, which accounts for 87% of strokes, is caused by a blockage of a blood vessel supplying the section of brain supplied by that vessel. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. He died on June 5, 2020. Patients with PCS commonly have more than one symptom at a time and may present with groups of signs and symptoms recognized as distinct clinical syndromes. We encourage you all to respect the dead and accord the family heartbroken with the loss of a cherished one, some privacy as you leave a message in the comment session. Kurt Thomas Death - Obituary: Kurt Thomas Wife | Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death Kurt Thomas Death: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and. Kurt Thomas Cause of Death Kurt became a commentator, acted in a film, and opened his own gymnastics school, according to Screencrush. [7] He subsequently became the first gymnast to receive the James E. Sullivan Award for the best amateur athlete in the United States. Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend. 0. Kurt Thomas Obituary: In the loving memory of Kurt Thomas, we are saddened to inform you that Kurt Thomas, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. He was known for his original moves, two of which were named for him: "Thomas Flair" on pommel horse, and the "Thomas Salto" on floor exercise. He was an innovator on pommel horse where the Thomas Flair was entered into the Code of Points and the floor exercise, where his Thomas Salto dismount was considered so dangerous it eventually was banned from competition. Thomas was selected to do commentary for gymnastics at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. The official ruling was that Kurt accidentally fell off the cliff overlooking the bay; that he intended to go swimming in the bay, started to climb down the cliff, lost his balance, and died when he hit the bottom. My heart is breaking for his wife Beckie, his children, Hunter, Kassidy and Kurt as well as the entire gymnastics community, who lost a true pioneer today.. Kurt Thomas, Trailblazing Champion Gymnast, Dies at 64 The first American to win a world championship in men's gymnastics, he captured many medals but missed out on his best chance to take. Summer McIntosh, a 16-year-old Canadian, snapped aKatie Ledeckywinning streak of nine years on Friday. Kurt Thomas, the first USA male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, has died aged 64. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Love to the family., All of us in the gymnastics family are sadden ,shocked and devastated by the passing of our ownLove to the family RIP Kurt Thomas pic.twitter.com/muhQ8MUJJc. Kurt Thomas Gymnast's cause of death a stroke caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. His father worked as the manager of a meat company and died when Thomas was 7 years old. I lost my universe, my best friend and my soulmate of 24 years, his wife, Beckie, said, according to International Gymnast. Michele R. Berman, MD, and Mark S. Boguski, MD, PhD, Share on Facebook. Kurt Thomas Gymnasts cause of deatha stroke caused by a tear of the basilar artery in the brain stem. He went on to become a sought-after star once he retired from the sport. Eighty minutes later, she won the 400m individual medley, an event she doesnt swim at championship meets, in 4:36.04, the second-fastest time of her life. Gross tubs? Please join us to mourn the passing of Kurt Thomas. In November, Ledecky returned the favor, breaking the 800m free short-course world record in Indianapolis and defeating McIntosh by 10.3 seconds. [5][6], Thomas first competed as a member of the U.S.Olympic team at the 1976 Summer Olympics. So he was seen out in public 48hrs after being reported missing, alive and well. Kurt Thomas, who became the first American to win a world championship event in mens gymnastics when he captured gold in the floor exercise at Strasbourg, France, in 1978, died on Friday. Main branches of the basilar artery include: The posterior circulation supplies blood to the brainstem, midbrain, pons, cerebellum, and the posterior cerebrum. He had a stroke May 24. Market data provided by Factset. The Thomas salto was also named after Thomas. he always brought light to every room entered. These can include Dallas County death certificates, local and Texas State death registries, and the National Death Index. Yesterday I lost my universe, my best friend and my soul mate of twenty-four years. Kurt Thomas Gymnast had been married to his wife Rebecca Jones since 1996. Kurt Thomas, the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal at the world championship, has died. champion, winning the parallel bars and all-around in 1977, and parallel bars, horizontal bar and the all-around in 1979. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into or around the brain. Pontine warning syndrome is a basilar artery atherosclerotic disease characterized by motor and speech disturbances that occur in a waxing and waning manner. who also captured the American Cup three times, lost a chance for Olympic gold when the United States boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games. Watch: Tyler Henry Heads to Kurt Cobain's Memorial on "Hollywood Medium". Kurt Thomas Death Obituary: Death Of Kurt Thomas| Kurt Thomas Cause Of Death. Thomas had a son from a previous marriage, Kurt Travis. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Katie Ledeckys nine-year domestic win streak snapped by Summer McIntosh, Alpine skiing TV, live stream schedule for 2022-23 World Cup season, Summer McIntosh breaks world junior record at Pro Series swim meet, American Jordan Stolz becomes youngest world champion in speed skating history, his 2003 International Gymnastics Hall of Fame induction speech. [15] They had two children, Hunter and Kassidy. He was a favorite to capture gold at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow but the U.S. boycotted the Games. He helped take the mens gymnastics team to the 1977 national collegiate championship and ranked behind only Larry Bird, the future basketball Hall of Famer, as a campus celebrity. After the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics, he retired from the sport. Kurt Thomas Cause of Death. Blood supply to the brain is normally divided into anterior and posterior segments, relating to the different arteries that supply the brain. Yesterday I lost my universe, my best friend, and my soul mate of twenty-four years. Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke. McIntosh broke her own world junior record to top Ledecky in the 200m freestyle at a Pro Series swim meet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Peacock airs live coverage of worlds. Kurt Thomas was a former Olympic gymnast known for being the first American male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, according to Yahoo Sports. Kurt Bilteaux Thomas was born in Miami on March 29, 1956. McIntosh clocked 1 minute, 54.13 seconds, lowering her world junior record of 1:54.79 from last years world championships. The music icon was found dead at his Seattle home on April 5, 1994 -- 27 years ago. Kurt lived his life to the extreme, and I will be forever honored to be his wife, Beckie Thomas told International Gymnast Magazine. Thomas died nearly two weeks after suffering bleeding from his basilar artery, which led to a severe stroke. Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Cause of Death, Instagram, Net Worth, Who is Reche Caldwell? Kurt was a fierce rival, who went on to become a cherished friend.". Kurt Thomas, the first U.S. male gymnast to win a gold medal at the world championships, died of complications from a stroke, his family said Friday. During the 1980 Olympic boycott, Thomas took a break from amateur sports and became a professional, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Indiana State University scholar Thomas was one of the favourites to win gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but missed his chance when the United States boycotted the event. Thomas was successful in the Junior Olympic program and he received a scholarship at Indiana State University, where he earned 13 All-American honors, International Gymnast Media reported. Modern rock icon Kurt Cobain dies by suicide on April 5, 1994. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. A prized possession, a coat of armor, was also found missing. Thomas was known for his daring and innovative moves in what came to be called the Thomas Flair on the pommel horse and the Thomas Salto in the floor exercise. I saw this guy swinging on a high bar, and I just thought it was kind of a neat sport.. Perhaps Kurt died after stumbling over the edge. He and Beckie went on to own and operate Kurt Thomas Gymnastics in Frisco, Texas. George Ritter Obituary Death: George Ritter Accident | George RitterCause Of Death, John Mullinax Obituary Death: John MullinaxCause Of Death. My heart is breaking for his wife Beckie, his children, Hunter, Kassidy and Kurt as well as the entire gymnastics community, who lost a true pioneer today.. Dallas County Death Records are documents relating to an individual's death in Dallas County, Texas. Thats because the original gold medalist Dutch team was disqualified, reportedly because one of its skaters ankles was not covered.