Gymnastics - The Events

There are nine different events in Olympic gymnastics:

  • Floor Exercise - a routine of dance-like movements featuring acrobat skills such as somersaults, back flips and cartwheels. The event is performed on a mat by both men and women.
  • Vault - athletes vault off a slightly inclined table. After running towards the vault table, athletes bounce off the spring board, push the vault table with their hands and, after performing multiple turns and pirouettes, and try to finish with a controlled and steady landing on a mat behind the vault table. The event is performed by both men and women.
  • Pommel Horse - the pommel horse is a table with two handles or pommels in the center. Athletes perform a routine of circular exercises with legs apart and legs together in a routine with a continuous flow, while using only their hands for support. Performed by men only.
  • Rings - athletes perform a series of exercises with swings and holds while grasping onto two wooden rings that are suspended above a floor mat. This event tests strength and precision and is performed by men only.
  • Parallel Bars - a routine performed on two flexible parallel wooden rails. Routines include a series of swinging moves, balances, and changes in grip. Performed by men only.
  • Horizontal Bar - athletes perform a routine on a single steel bar suspended above a floor mat. The routine requires continuous swinging and vaulting motions around the bar with frequent changes in direction and in grip. Performed by men only.
  • Uneven Bars - athletes perform a routine on a set of two highly flexible oval wooden bars. Gymnasts swing in both directions, above and below the bars, ending the routine with a controlled dismount and landing. Performed by women only.
  • Balance Beam - gymnasts perform a routine on a single wooden beam that is just four inches (10 cm) wide. The routine consists of continuous tumbling moves, half turns and full turns, jumps and leaps. Performed by women only.
  • Trampoline - debuted at the 2000 Sydney games. Gymnasts are required to perform several routines which include somersaults, turns, and combinations. 16 men and 16 women compete in 4 events: individual, synchronized, mini double, and tumbling.

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