Beijing Olympics 2008 Gymnastics Artistic Sports

History of Artistic Gymnastics:

The origin of Artistic Gymnastics dates back to 2000 years. The term "artistic gymnastics" emerged in the early 1800s. Around the same time, gymnastics was competed in European schools and clubs. Artistic Gymnastics was introduced to the Olympics in 1896. Various Artistic Gymnastics events were introduced and removed in the Gymnastics program over the years. Artistic Gymnastics was contested as an organized medal sport by men in 1924. Women were allowed to compete from 1928 onwards in Artistic Gymnastics. The Soviet Union has won the most medals for this sport. Gymnastics has been present at every Olympic Games.

Rules of Artistic Gymnastics:

• Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympics consists of the following competition levels:
  • Qualifying Team Competitions
  • Individual Competitions
  • All- Around Finals
  • Apparatus Finals
  • Team Finals for men
  • Team Finals for women
• Judges are appointed by the FIG.
• This competition is organized by a rotation of Groups

A Group comprises of either of the following:

• A team of 4 to 6 gymnasts entered by national federations
• Teams formed from individual gymnasts of different federations
  • A maximum of five gymnasts can enter from a team on a single apparatus.
  • The team total will comprise of the four highest scores.
  • Men are allowed to perform optional exercises on six apparatus.
  • Women are allowed to perform optional exercises on four apparatus.
  • Only gymnasts who perform on all apparatus will qualify for Competition II.
  • Two vaults are necessary to qualify for the vault finals.
  • The qualifying score is based on the average of the two scores.
  • Only the first vault will be considered for the all around and team ranking.

Competition Area of Artistic Gymnastics:

• The minimum seating capacity of the hall should be 6.000.
• The temperature of the hall must be at least 20°C during the event.
• Lighting standards should be maintained at atleast 1500 lux.
• There should be a reserved “warming up” area for participants.
• A podium of a height of 80-100 cms must be installed.
• All apparatus must be fixed to the podium in keeping with the Regulations.

For Acrobatic Gymnastics the competition hall must have a minimum dimensions as follows:

• Height: 8 meters (10 to 12 m preferably)
• Length: 45 meters
• Width: 30 meters.

Other equipment and necessities at the venue may include:

• A spring gymnastic type floor of 12 by 12 meters square working surface.
• Landing mats will be thickness of minimum 20cm to maximum 50 cm.
• A team of medical persons.

Venues for Artistic Gymnastics in Beijing Olympics 2008:

• The gymnastics event of the 29th Olympic Games will be held in Beijing from August 9-24, 2008.
• The artistic gymnastics and trampoline competitions will be held at the National Indoor Stadium.
• The rhythmic gymnastics will be held at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium.

Artistic Gymnastics Events in Beijing Olympics 2008:

The following events are on the program for Beijing Olympics 2008: