I meant bending, sorry.

Hi, CaptureThis,
Yes, this is an iron cross and you're right about the gymnastics bridge, too (I was a gymnast).

I offer this metaphorical bridge as a change of pace. The strength required and the fact that the gymnast's muscles, bone and sinew bridge the two rings is what prompted me to post this.

This is Mike Wilson, U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, 1980...and he really is doing an iron cross. I just chose to crop his legs.

Thanks for your comment (and the high marks).

No problem...I love gymnastics. All my sons did it for years. The youngest stopped competing last winter. He's just too tall and skinny and his body is growing so fast his flexibility and muscles could no longer keep up. He was getting injuries and it was time to stop. He's only 14 and about 5' 9" already and weighs only 112 lbs. He's still got some skills though even though he no longer competes.

He did get to train with John Rothlisberger, Blaine Wilson, and a few other Olympians a few times at a training camp for several summers which was very, very cool. He misses it a lot.

Thanks for all the comments and kind remarks.

For those who are interested in such things: I'm pretty sure that there is a high correlation between ratings and the liklihood of leaving a comment, which is not surprising. As discussed before on both the W.S. Google and group and here, many folks assign low ratings and run away without providing any meaningful explanation or suggestions for improvement.

As with of my "Doors and Windows" submissions, I didn't expect high ratings. However, the Relevance rating is surprisingly high. With 13 ratings:

* Relevance: 3.07
* Impact: 2.87
* Composition: 2.80
* Technique: 3.31
* Quality: 3.36
* Overall: 3.082

CaptureThis, Blizzard, Montage and duncmc,

That fact that you get it and find some appreciation for metaphor and the "different take," means a lot more to me than having this image featured.

My asides regarding ratings (including the ratings themselves) are like preaching to the choir, I know. But I do think it reveals a great divide in openness and imagination.

I'm renaming it the Iron Bridge.
You assumed this was a King photo? How daring of you.

Tracy,
A bridge made of steel might be called an

"Iron Across"

couldn't it?

:>)

You directed me to it didn't you. I hit the submit button before I had finished commenting, breakfast distracted me. I was about to say that while it was a metaphorical bridge between the two rings, to me this said cross, so I scored you below average in relevance but high in everything else.

Iron Across is funny though. :)

Tracey,

"Iron Across" is the italian pronuciation for the gymnastics trick.

Now I'm going to hear from Giancarlo and the Italian contingent!

I forgot about my Google Group posting. Thanks for being honest in your ratings.

The cross shape is essential to many bridge designs.

There was a Google Group posting? I'll have to go check it out.

Hey, I was right, it IS called and Iron Cross.

... and in english too, I see.