Gymnastics is a competitive sport that test an
athlete's strength, rhythm, flexibility and ability. Competitive gymnastics is divided into two forms:
1) artistic gymnastics, divided into men's and women's, and
2) rhythmic gymnastics, divided into men's and women's.
Artistic gymnastics consists of a prescribed set of events, each of which is
scored separately by judges in order to determine a winner.
Rhythmic gymnastics consists of several events in which the gymnasts use different
forms of hand apparatus to perform choreographed movements which are judged to determine a winner.
The term gymnastics also refers to a system of physical exercises used for
therapeutic or educational purposes. Therapeutic or remedial gymnastics is a series of selected
exercises that help relieve physical discomfort or restore function to disabled people. Educational
gymnastics is a program that challenges students to master tactics involving strength, flexibility
and conditioning.
In rhythmic gymnastics, which became an Olympic sport in 1984, gymnasts
compete on a mat about 15.5 m (41 ft) square. Using rope, a hoop, a ball, clubs and a ribbon
(in separate events), they perform choreographed movements set to music. Some acrobatic movements
are permitted, but no flight is allowed. Each competitor is judged on composition, or on the d
ifficulty of what she does, and execution, or how well she does it. The goal is to work harmoniously
with the equipment to perform a graceful and errorless routine. There are two team events in which
five competitors perform together.
Artistic gymnastics competition has been part of the modern Olympic Games since
they began in 1896, but extensive television coverage in the late 20th century contributed to the
enormous interest that developed in the sport at that time. In Olympic competition, performance is
scored on a 10-point scale by four to six trained judges. A level of difficulty is figured into
overall score, which is then averaged after the individual high and low scores by the judges are
eliminated. Standards for each gymnastics event are determined by the FIG, International Federation
of Gymnastics, located in Moutier, Switzerland. In competitive gymnastics, teams consist of seven
members. Six compete on each event, with the five highest scorers counting toward the overall team
score. The individual competitors earn points toward a team total.
Men compete in six different events. The events are as follows:
Floor Exercise - a routine of dance type movements with acrobatic skills, performed without apparatus
on a mat about 12 m (40 ft) square.
Pommel Horse - a routine performed on a leather-covered apparatus, in the center of which are inserted
two pommels, or handles, 40 to 45 cm 15.7" to 17.7") apart. The routine consists of a series of
continuous swinging and circular motions with the torso and legs, executed as the athlete travels
from one end of the horse to the other, using only his hands for support.
Rings - a routine performed while grasping one wooden ring in each hand, with the rings suspended from
straps and hung parallel to each other 2.75 m (9 ft) above the floor mat. The routine combines static
positions with rapid movements designed to test strength and precision.
Vault - a routine involving an apparatus, known as a horse, that measures 1.6 m (5.2 ft) long and
1.35 m (4.4 ft) high and no pommels. The athlete runs toward the horse, approaching it lengthwise.
He then takes off from a springboard, places both hands on the surface of the horse, then completes
the flight with an acrobatic airborne maneuver before making a controlled landing.
Parallel Bars - a routine performed on two flexible parallel rails 1.95 m (6.4 ft) above the ground
and 42 to 52 cm (16.5" to 20.5") apart from each other. The routine is aseries of swinging, balancing,
and airborne moves.
Horizontal Bar - a routine performed on a single steel bar suspended 2.75 m (9 ft) above the floor mat.
The routine requires continuous swinging motions around the bar with frequent changes in direction and
in grip. In the dismount the athlete casts himself off the bar, soars through the air, and then makes
a stable landing.
Women compete in four events. The events are as follows:
Vault - the routine is the same as in the men's event, except that the horse, similar in shape and size
to that used by the men, is lowered to a height of 1.25 m.
Uneven Bars - a routine performed on a set of two flexible bars a maximum of 1.80 m apart
from each other at different heights. The upper bar is between 2.65 and 2.7 m from
the floor; the lower bar, parallel to it, is between 1.65 and 1.7 m above the floor.
The routine demands continuous swinging, releasing, and changing of direction over, under, and between
the bars with a mount and dismount.
Balance Beam - a routine performed on a single beam 10 cm wide, 5 m long, and 1.25 m
off the ground. The routine consists of continuous tumbling moves, turns, jumps, and leaps.
A mount and dismount are required.
Floor Exercise - a routine performed without apparatus on a floor mat the same size as the men's,
about 12 m square. The routine is similar to the men's floor exercise except that it is
performed to music. |
