Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics (short: RG) is a type of gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnasts perform on a floor with an apparatus, accompanied by music, in individual or group events. Gymnasts manipulate one or two apparatus: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon. Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. The victor is the participant who earns the most points, determined by a panel of judges, for leaps, balances, pirouettes, flexibility, apparatus handling, execution, and artistic effect.^[1][2]

Rhythmic gymnastics developed from other sports. It is influenced by group gymnastics, classical ballet, German apparatus work, and the Swedish free exercise method.^[3]

International competitions are split between juniors, under sixteen by their year of birth; and seniors, for women sixteen and over again by their year of birth. The largest events in the sport are the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cups.^[1]

Rhythmic gymnastics was officially recognized by FIG in 1963. The first time rhythmic gymnastics was in the Olympics was in 1984 in Los Angeles. That year, a Canadian gymnast called Lori Fung won the individual competition. In 1996, rhythmic gymnastics group competitions were added to the Olympics.^[3]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique". www.gymnastics.sport.
2. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2018-08-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "Rhythmic Gymnastics Equipment and History - Olympic Sport History". International Olympic Committee. 15 May 2018.