Gymnastics, one of the most graceful and interesting Olympics games, dates back about 2,500 years. When the Greeks introduced audiences to acrobatic feats of courage, strength and discipline, few rules governed the sport. Modern-day gymnastics, with strict rules for competition, came into existence at the end of the 19th century.
International Federation of Gymnastics
Today, the International Federation of Gymnastics, or FIG, assumes responsibility for overseeing the sport and laying down the rules that govern the modern form for gymnastics. One such rule is that only one attempt is allowed on each piece of apparatus. Before gymnastics became an Olympic sport in 1896, the first year of the modern games, gymnasts were regarded mostly as entertainers. Men and women performed for royalty and appeared in circuses. Ancient Romans had a serious purpose for gymnastics; they trained soldiers for combat using bars, rings and wooden horses, precursors of the modern pommel horses.
Standardization
After its introduction in the modern Olympic Games, gymnastics took on a modern form. The FIG introduced a set of rules in the mid-1950s to standardize competitive gymnastics. Some of these rules allow assistants, called spotters, to stand next to a piece of equipment, but 0.4 points will be deducted from the gymnast's final scores under such circumstances. Spotters can also help gymnasts mount the still rings and the horizontal bars. Another rule states that gymnasts can wear bandages or leather grip to increase friction on the apparatus.
Modification
As in other sports, rules of gymnastics underwent modifications over time. The rules, called the Code of Points, experienced radical transformation in 2006. Sparked by furor over a judging error in the 2004 Athens Olympics, the FIG wrote a new set of basic rules for gymnastics. The FIG suspended several officials over judging errors at the Athens Olympics and implemented changes to avert similar mistakes.
No Perfect Score
In 1976, 14-year-old Romanian Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10. The new Code of Points includes no perfect score. The gymnast with the highest points wins, but the total can be any number--10, 15 or 45. The new Code of Points also states that participation in the finals is limited to two gymnasts per country and apparatus. The new rules, designed to encourage creativity, are not universally applauded.
References
- The XVII Commonwealth Games: Rules of Gymnastics
- Talk Gymnastics: Competition, Rules and Scoring
- International Olympic Committee: Artistic Gymnastics Equipment and History
- NBC Sports: FIG Considers Gymnastics Rule Changes; September 24, 2004
- Federation Internationale de Gymnastique: Rules: Gymnastics for All)
- Vlad's Page on World-Class Sport: The Sport of Gymnastics: History of the Sport of Gymnastics
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