Competition Format
Gymnasts compete in a team event, which counts as both a medal event and the qualification round for the individual all-around and individual apparatus events.
The Delhi 2010 gymnastics programme featured men’s artistic, women’s artistic and women’s rhythmic competitions and there were a total of 20 gold medals contested.
Artistic Gymnastics
Men compete on six pieces of apparatus: Floor, Pommel Horse, Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar.
Women compete on four pieces of apparatus: Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor.
Men
Floor
Floor exercises are executed on a 12 x 12m mat surrounded by a 1-metre safety border. The surface lies on a special wooden underlay, which provides both spring and absorption for the athletes’ take-offs and landings. Athletes have 70 seconds to execute a routine which includes tumbling lines and strength and balance moves.
Pommel Horse
The pommel horse is 1.6m long, 1.05m tall and carries two pommels (handles). The distance between the pommels is 40 to 45cm. Athletes execute a series of exercises with legs apart and legs together in a routine with continuous flow and interchange of movements and grip along the width of the horse.
Rings
The rings are made of wood and are hung from a metal structure with belts and wire ropes, 2.8m above the floor. Athletes perform a series of exercises with swings and holds and other static and dynamic elements, while the routine finishes with an impressive dismount.
Vault
After gaining speed with a running start (the approach run is 25m), gymnasts take off from the spring board, push the vault table with their hands and, after performing their somersaulting and/or twisting manoeuvre, try to finish with a controlled and steady landing. In the apparatus finals gymnasts must perform two different vaults (one with a backwards and one with a forwards/sideways entry).
Parallel Bars
Parallel bars are two 3.5m-long wooden bars that stand on a metal base 2m above the ground. Athletes perform routines combining an interchange of swinging movements with strength or hold elements above and below the two bars.
Horizontal Bar
This high apparatus is a steel bar (2.8cm in diameter, 2.4m in length) which rests on two metal bases 2.8m above the ground. The routine includes swinging movements, both forward and backward, whereby the athlete does not touch the bar with his body. The athlete also demonstrates change of grip and release moves with heights of up to 4m. Dismounts are usually acrobatic and spectacular.
Women
Vault
As above.
Uneven Bars
Uneven Bars consists of two bars 2.4m long, each on a different height above the floor (2.45m and 1.65m). Gymnasts swing in both directions from bar to bar performing release and turning movements through and into handstand above and below the bars. They aim to finish the routine with a spectacular controlled dismount.
Beam
The Balance Beam is 5m long, 1.25m above the ground and only 10cm wide. It is the apparatus that most often determines the winner of the overall competition. Gymnasts have up to 1.30 minutes to perform, steadily and without falls, a combination of acrobatic exercises, jumps, turns, dancing movements and balance exercises.
Floor
Floor exercises are executed on a 12 x 12m mat with a 1-m safety border. The surface lies on a special wooden underlay, which provides both spring and absorption for the athletes’ take-offs and landings. Female gymnasts present their routine with the accompaniment of music, combining dance with acrobatic exercises, using the entire floor area. Judges look for good interpretation to the music and artistry with personal flair.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Only women compete in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
All routines are performed to music and the time limit for individual exercises is 1.15’ to 1.30’. During the exercise, the apparatus must be in constant motion: movements with great variety of shape, amplitude, direction, plane and speed should be performed. Composing a routine is based on including in it some specific fundamental groups of body movements and also technical groups in apparatus usage.
Rope
The rope is made of hemp or other synthetic material. Its length is proportional to the gymnast’s height. Rope is a very dynamic apparatus requiring agility, jumping ability and coordination. The rope’s shape throughout the routine should remain well designed, without any curves.
Hoop
The hoop may be made of plastic or wood and is 80-90cm in diameter; its minimum weight is 300 grams. The fundamental groups of body movement for hoop are jumps/leaps, pivots, balance and flexibility. The technical groups for hoop are the rolls over the body or on the floor, rotations around the hand or other parts of the body, throws and catches and passing over or through the hoop. Handling the apparatus includes swings, circles and figure eights.
Ball
The ball is made of rubber or a synthetic material. It is 18-20cm in diameter and weights 400g. The fundamental groups of body movement for ball are the flexibility elements. The technical groups for ball include throws and catches, bouncing and rolling over the body or on the floor. Handling includes “thrusts”, swings, circles, figure eight or “flip overs” and the movement should be flowing and sensuous.
Ribbon
The ribbon, made of satin is at least 6m long and 4-6cm wide. The stick is of 1 cm diameter and a length from 50 to 60 cm. Its maximum weight is 35 grams. The fundamental groups of body movement for ribbon are the Pivots. The technical groups for ribbon are the “snakes”, spirals, throws and catches, small tosses. Handling includes “thrusts”, swings, circles and figure eights. The movements with the ribbon should be large and free flowing.