Gymnastics

What is gymnastics?

Gymnastics is a sport in which athletes (called “gymnasts”) combine athletic skill, balance and coordination to perform moves in four events: the floor, the vault, the beam and the bars.

How to compete

Gymnasts participate in four events, and judges award scores for each event. In the floor event, the gymnast performs acrobatic tumbles and handsprings on a large mat that covers the entire floor. In the other three events, the gymnast jumps on the vault, beam or bars and must perform acrobatic moves while also keeping his/her balance and not falling to the floor below.

How to win

Gymnasts are awarded points for each event (the floor, the vault, the beam and the bars). The gymnast who has the most points in an event wins that event. A gymnast wins the overall competition when he/she has the highest number of points from all four events. In team competition, the points from the entire team are added together, and the team with the highest number of points wins.

Equipment

Shoes – gymnasts’ shoes look like ballet shoes, and are made of soft, flexible material so that the gymnast can use his/her feet to make the necessary moves
Chalk – gymnasts put chalk on their hands to help them keep their grip on the bars
Leotard – the skintight uniform worn by a gymnast in competition