Paris 2024 Olympic Games: How does the rhythmic gymnastics competition work? Schedule, scoring, rules, apparatus
Published 08/08/2024 at 10:04 GMT+1
Rhythmic gymnastics is one of the newest disciplines in gymnastics and was only recognised as a sport from 1963. An Olympic staple since 1984, the women’s-only event will mark four decades of inclusion at Paris 2024. Historically, Russia has dominated proceedings, but with the country facing sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine, the stage is set for other performers to come to the fore.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Women Individual All-Around Qualification - Tokyo 2020 - Olympic Highlights
Video credit: TNT Sports
While gymnastics has been a constant of the modern Olympics since the first games in Athens 1896, rhythmic gymnastics is a relatively new addition – first appearing at the 1984 Games.
The sport pairs traditional dance with elements of artistic gymnastics, but unlike the multi-discipline format of artistic gymnastics, the rhythmic version sees gymnasts perform routines on the floor with a variety of apparatus.
Individuals or groups use equipment as part of their routine to create mesmerising effects, and blend balance, poise and performance to craft shapes with their bodies and equipment.
In the individual competition, each gymnast performs four times for between 75 and 90 seconds, using each piece of apparatus once.
Meanwhile, in the group event, a team of five gymnasts from the same country perform twice. In the first routine, each gymnast must use the same piece of equipment, while in the second routine they use a mix.
The women’s-only event has historically been dominated by Eastern European countries, but with Russia sanctioned for Paris 2024, expect other participants to come to the fore during the three-day contest at La Chapelle Arena.
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When does the competition run?
The rhythmic gymnastics competition starts on Thursday, August 8 at 09:00 UK time, with the individual all-around qualifiers.
The final of the individual all-around event takes place on Friday, August 9 at 13:30, while the group all-around gold medal will be decided on Saturday, August 10 at 13:00.
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Team Italy competes during the Group All-Around Final on day sixteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: Getty Images
How IS each routine scored?
Each routine is evaluated by a group of judges, who score the performance based on its difficulty, artistry and execution.
The difficulty score is open-ended and doesn’t have a maximum, but execution and artistry are scored out of 10.
The highest scores are therefore given to those successfully completing the most difficult moves, which are also known as dynamic elements of rotation.
When using the ribbon, for example, this would see the gymnast throw the ribbon into the air and perform a series of leaps and turns before catching the ribbon and carrying on in one fluid motion.
What apparatus is used during the routines?
Competitors perform routines using four apparatus – the hoop, ball, clubs or ribbon:
- The ribbon allows athletes to create shapes like circles, spirals and flicks, while in group performances they can be tossed between the gymnasts.
- The hoop can be spun around the athlete’s arms, waists, necks, knees and feet, and can also be thrown and caught.
- The ball is bounced, tossed, caught and rolled, both on the ground and in the air.
- Clubs show the athlete’s agility and accuracy.
HOW TO WATCH
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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