Gannat - Sainte Croix

The parish church Sainte Croix in Gannat is the result of a very long and complex history. Two apses and some parts of the transept date back to the 12th century. The three rows of the nave and the side aisles were built during the 13th century. From the 14th to the 16th century ten (!) chapels were adjoined without any specific architectural order.

This nicely coloured capital from the transept is probably one of the oldest inside the church. Depicted are two atlants at the corners, moaning under the heavy load (see the open mouth) - and a gymnast in the center just starting his skilled performance on a horiziontal bar.

Or is the person just a very short weightlifter?