Gymnastics: Then and now

The grace, strength and skill of Olympic gymnasts have been amazing audiences ever since the ancient Games were first held in Greece.

In those days, people went to a 'gymnasium' to exercise their minds as well as their bodies, and to take part in cultural activities like philosophy and music.

The close links between physical exertion and artistic expression can still be seen across the sport’s various modern-day disciplines.

How to play – and win

Gymnasts perform short exercises with the aim of scoring as many points as possible according to the rules of the sport. Scores are awarded by two panels of judges who assess the difficulty and execution of each exercise.

Artistic

Artistic Gymnastics is the oldest and best known of the Olympic disciplines. It is performed using apparatus.

Men compete in six events – Floor, Pommel Horse, Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars and High Bar.

Women compete in Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor.

There are separate competitions to find the best Team, All-around Gymnast and Individual Apparatus specialists at the Games.

Rhythmic

Rhythmic Gymnastics is for women only, and is a combination of gymnastics and dance.

Gymnasts perform routines to music using a small piece of hand apparatus – a Rope, Hoop, Ball, Clubs or Ribbon. There are events for both Individual Gymnasts and Groups (of five women).

Trampoline

Trampoline is the newest addition to the Olympic Gymnastics programme. Gymnasts compete on a springy 'bed' that can launch them 10m in the air, allowing them to perform a series somersaults and twists. Individual competitions are held for both men and women.

Gymnastics at the Games

Gymnastics has featured in all of the modern Olympic Games, and is traditionally one of the most popular events with spectators around the world.

The spectacular skill and charisma of Gymnasts like Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci have made their mark on Olympic history, inspiring children across the globe to learn to twist and tumble.

Rhythmic Gymnastics was introduced at Los Angeles 1984. Trampoline first appeared at the Sydney 2000 Games.

Facts about Gymnastics

• The word 'Gymnastics’ comes from the Greek for ‘naked’ - early gymnasts used to perform without any clothes.
• Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina has 18 Olympic medals – the most ever won in any sport.
• The oldest Gymnastics medalist in Games history was Edith Seymour, 46 – a member of the UK’s bronze medal-winning team at Amsterdam 1928.
• Shun Fujimoto competed with a broken leg to help Japan win Team gold at Montreal 1976.
• A ‘Perfect 10’ is no longer the top score in Gymnastics. Open-ended scoring was introduced in 2006 to make it easier to reward difficulty.
• Gymnasts are usually among the youngest competitors at the Olympic Games, and some later reappear as divers, pole vaulters or aerial skiers in the Winter Games.

Jargon buster

• Stick it: To complete a dynamic skill with no movement on landing.
• Pike: A position in which the body is bent at the hips, with the legs straight.
• Podium: A raised competition area in Artistic Gymnastics.
• Start Value: The difficulty level of an exercise.
• Dismount: The final element in an exercise.

Get involved

If you’ve been inspired to start Gymnastics, you will probably be able to join a class at your local leisure centre. See 'related websites' for more information about clubs and facilities where you live.