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Gymnastics Roll
Team Gymnastics
The Rings
Girl Practicing
The Bars
Gymnastic Training
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Gymnastics is a sport focusing on the display of physical strength, skill, balance and aesthetics. These qualities are shown as gymnasts compete on several pieces of apparatus, trying to outdo each other in their performances and score points awarded by judges. There are many pieces of apparatus used by gymnasts, and all require a different technique or skill to master them. Men take part in Olympic events including the rings, vault, parallel bars, high bars, pommel horse and floor. The equivalent four Olympic events for women are vault horse, asymmetric bars, balance beam and floor exercises to music. There are specific techniques for each event, with the beginning and end or dismount in the case of apparatus being particular important opportunities to impress the judges.
For every event in Gymnastics, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has a points code recommending that a routine consists of a minimum of 10 elements. Scoring is based on the level of difficulty of the chosen moves. Gymnasts are free to attempt more to impress the judges but with the added risk of losing points.
Equipment
Changes in equipment, using new material technologies for more flexibility and shock absorption in springboards and apparatus has considerably improved performances in this sport.
Leotards are worn by all women, but for men shorts with vest are worn, or for particular apparatus sokol-style pants with footstraps and socks are worn. Shoes are optional for gymnasts. Hand protectors are worn to improve hold on the apparatus.
History
In Rome and Greece, gymnastics was considered a branch of the arts and was part of a child’s basic education. But it was not until the 18th century in Germany that Gymnastics was revived using the apparatus that we recognise today.
This resurgence was born out of the needs for fitness training of fire fighters and soldiers, and led to the formation of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in 1881. Consequently, the first competition was held in Germany in 1894 and, starting with Athens in 1896, gymnastics has since been included in the Olympic Games. Women first competed in the Olympics at the Amsterdam Games of 1928.
Nadia Comaneci from Romania became legendary in women’s gymnastics history by earning the first maximum score, followed by six further perfect scores at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal - a record which remains unequalled. |