The National Gymnastics Start Command Known by Everyone, Professor Yu Geun-rim Passes Away

Personally Planned the National Gymnastics Program
Recorded the Voice for the Commands

Professor Emeritus Yoo Geun-rim of Kyung Hee University’s College of Physical Education, known as the voice behind the commands in the 'National Gymnastics' program distributed nationwide since 1977, passed away on the morning of the 11th, according to his family.

The late Professor Yoo Geun-rim, Honorary Professor at Kyung Hee University College of Physical Education, who was the voice behind the commands of the 'National Gymnastics'. Yonhap News

According to Yonhap News on the 12th, Professor Yoo passed away at 3:20 a.m. the previous day at the age of 93. He was born in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, graduated from Chuncheon Normal School and Kyung Hee University’s College of Physical Education, and began his career as a full-time lecturer at Kyung Hee University’s College of Physical Education in 1961. He served as vice president of the Korea Gymnastics Association from 1970 to 1983, was a director of the Korea Sports Council in 1974, vice president of the Korean Society of Sport Science in 1977, and again vice president of the Korea Gymnastics Association in 1982 before retiring in 1988.

He was also the planner behind the National Gymnastics program, which the government launched in March 1977 to promote public health primarily through schools. He personally recorded the first voice and commands used when the National Gymnastics program began.

In a 2011 interview with Money Today, he recalled, “At that time, I gathered about 20 gymnasts and had them perform gymnastics movements to an orchestra of about 20 players, while I gave the commands myself.” He also mentioned that he never received any separate compensation for creating the National Gymnastics program.

Additionally, he authored several books related to gymnastics, including Gymnastics, Introduction to Mass Games, Principles and Fundamentals of Physical Education, Gymnastics Competitions, and Artistic Gymnastics, and was a recipient of the Republic of Korea Sports Award.

He is survived by his wife Hong Suk-jong and two sons and one daughter. The funeral is being held at Samsung Seoul Hospital, with the funeral procession scheduled for 5 a.m. on the 13th.