Artistic gymnastics#Women.27s only

The gymnastic system was mentioned in writings by ancient authors, including Homer,{{cite journal |last1=Finkelberg |first1=Margalit |title=Timē and Aretē in Homer |journal=The Classical Quarterly |date=1998 |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=14–28 |doi=10.1017/S0009838800038751 |jstor=639748 |s2cid=170316809 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/639748}} Aristotle,{{cite journal |title=Aristotle's Pentathlete |journal=Sports, Ethics and Philosophy |date=August 2010 |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=183–194 |doi=10.1080/17511321.2010.486598 |s2cid=219696748 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17511321.2010.486598?journalCode=rsep20}} and Plato.{{cite book |last1=Reid |first1=Heather L |last2=Ralkowski |first2=Mark |last3=Zoller |first3=Coleen P |title=Athletics, Gymnastics, and Agon in Plato |date=2020 |publisher=Parnassos Press – Fonte Aretusa |jstor=j.ctv1fkgc3p |isbn=9781942495369 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1fkgc3p}} It included many disciplines that later became independent sports, such as swimming, racing, wrestling, boxing, and horse riding.{{cite web | url = http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/102/1010208/1010208a3.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080620082659/http://www.krugosvet.ru/articles/102/1010208/1010208a3.htm | archive-date = 20 June 2008 | title = Sportivnaya gimnastika | work = Enciklopediya Krugosvet E | access-date = 11 April 2006|language=ru}} It was also used for military training.{{cite journal |last1=Griffiths |first1=DE |last2=Hargrove |first2=R |last3=Clasper |first3=J |title=Role of Gymnastics in the Army School of Physical Training |journal=Ann R Coll Surg Engl |date=September 2006 |volume=88 |issue=5 |pages=459–461 |doi=10.1308/003588406X114721 |pmid=17002850 |pmc=1964666 }}

Gymnastics evolved in Bohemia and what later became Germany at the beginning of the 19th century. The term "artistic gymnastics" was introduced to distinguish freestyle performances from those used by the military.{{cite web | url = http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/history_uk.asp?DiscCode=GA&sportCode=GY | title = Artistic Gymnastics – History | work = IOC | access-date = 11 April 2006 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085106/http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/history_uk.asp?DiscCode=GA&sportCode=GY | url-status = dead }} The German educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, who was known as the father of gymnastics,{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://encarta.msn.com/text_761567192___0/Gymnastics.html |title=Gymnastics |encyclopedia=Encarta |access-date=11 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918164230/http://encarta.msn.com/text_761567192___0/Gymnastics.html |archive-date=18 September 2009 |url-status=dead }} invented several apparatus, including the horizontal bar and parallel bars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/history-gymnastics-ancient-greece-modern-times/|title=A History of Gymnastics: From Ancient Greece to Modern Times {{!}} Scholastic|website=www.scholastic.com|access-date=30 May 2017}} Two of the first gymnastics clubs were Turnvereins and Sokols.

The FIG was founded in 1881 and remains the governing body of international gymnastics. The organization began with three countries and was called the European Gymnastics Federation until 1921, when the first non-European countries joined, and it was reorganized into its modern form.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/figbrief/history.php |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique |access-date=6 June 2021}}

Gymnastics was included in the 1896 Summer Olympics, but female gymnasts were not allowed to participate in the Olympics until 1928.{{cite news |last1=Fendrich |first1=Howard |title=1928 Amsterdam: Women's track, gymnastics debut at Olympics |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/1928-amsterdam-womens-track-gymnastics-debut-at-olympics/2020/07/29/f35dad32-d1ac-11ea-826b-cc394d824e35_story.html |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=The Associated Press |date=29 July 2020}} The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, held since 1903, were only open to men until 1934.{{cite book |last=Huguenin |first=Andre |translator-last=Unger |translator-first=Beatrice |title=100 Years of the International Gymnastics Federation: 1881–1981 |url=http://www.fig-docs.com/website/highlights/100%20years%20of%20the%20FIG-e.pdf |publisher=International Gymnastics Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728134745/http://www.fig-docs.com/website/highlights/100%20years%20of%20the%20FIG-e.pdf |archive-date=28 July 2020 |url-status=live }} Since then, two branches of artistic gymnastics have developed: women's artistic gymnastics (WAG) and men's artistic gymnastics (MAG). Unlike men's and women's branches of many other sports, WAG and MAG differ significantly in technique and apparatuses used at major competitions.

As a team event, women's gymnastics entered the Olympics in 1928 and the World Championships in 1950. Individual women were recognized in the all-around as early as the 1934 World Championships. The existing women's program—all-around and event finals on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise—was introduced at the 1950 World Championships and at the 1952 Summer Olympics.{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Lauren |title=Our First Individual Medals: Helsinki 1952 |url=https://thegymter.net/2016/03/02/our-first-individual-medals-helsinki-1952/ |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=The Gymternet |date=2 March 2016}}

The earliest champions in women's gymnastics tended to be in their 20s, and most had studied ballet for years before entering the sport. Larisa Latynina, the first great Soviet gymnast, won her first Olympic all-around medal at age 22 and her second at 26; she became world champion in 1958 while pregnant. Věra Čáslavská of Czechoslovakia, who followed Latynina and became a two-time Olympic all-around champion, was 22 when she won her first Olympic gold medal. The rules for the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics specified that gymnasts must turn 18 the year of the competition, with female gymnasts turning 16 or 17 only allowed to compete with a doctor's clearance.{{Citation |last= |first= |title=General rules and sports regulations : XVI Olympiad, Melbourne 1956 |date=1956 |pages=92 |url=https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/28702/general-rules-and-sports-regulations-xvi-olympiad-melbourne-1956-organising-committee-for-the-xvi-ol |access-date=2025-03-15 |publisher=Organising Committee for the XVI Olympiad |language=English}}{{Citation |last= |first= |title=Régles générales et règlements spéciaux aux sports |date=1951 |pages=192 |url=https://library.olympics.com/doc/SYRACUSE/35928 |access-date=2025-03-15 |place=Helsinki |publisher=Comité organisateur des XVes Jeux olympiques |language=French}}

In the 1970s, the average age of Olympic gymnasts began to decrease. While it was not unheard of for teenagers to compete in the 1960s – Ludmilla Tourischeva was 16 at her first Olympics in 1968 – younger female gymnasts slowly became the norm as the sport's difficulty increased. Smaller, lighter girls generally excelled in the more challenging acrobatic elements required by the redesigned Code of Points. The 58th Congress of the FIG – held in July 1980, just before the Olympics – decided to raise the minimum age for senior international competition from 14 to 15.{{cite journal|date=September 1980 |title=Within the International Federations |journal=Olympic Review |issue=155 |page=520 |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1980/ore155/ORE155p.pdf |access-date=11 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524213018/http://www.la84foundation.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1980/ore155/ORE155p.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2006 |url-status=dead }} However, the change, which came into effect two years later, did not eliminate the problem. By the time of the 1992 Summer Olympics, elite gymnasts consisted almost exclusively of "pixies" – underweight young teenagers – and concerns were raised about athletes' welfare.

In 1997, the FIG responded to this trend by raising the minimum age for international elite competition to 16.{{cite news |last1=Armour |first1=Nancy |title=U.S. junior champ Laurie Hernandez too young for world gymnastics championships |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2015/10/07/laurie-hernandez-world-gymnastics-championships/73543908/ |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=USA Today |date=7 October 2015}} This, combined with changes in the Code of Points and evolving popular opinion in the sport, led to the return of older gymnasts. While there are still gymnasts who are successful as teenagers, it is common to see gymnasts competing and winning medals well into their 20s.{{Cite news |last=Giambalvo |first=Emily |date=2021-08-04 |title=Olympic women's gymnastics once was mostly for teens. That's changing. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/08/04/olympic-womens-gymnastics-age/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} At the 2004 Olympics, women captained both the second-place American team and the third-place Russians in their mid-20s;{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Rebecca |title=US Gymnastics Team Captain Hopes to Make Dream a Reality in Athens |url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/us-gymnastics-team-captain-hopes-make-dream-reality-athens-2004-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419230309/https://www.voanews.com/archive/us-gymnastics-team-captain-hopes-make-dream-reality-athens-2004-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 April 2021 |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=VOA News |date=14 August 2004}}{{cite news |last1=O'Rourke |first1=Meghan |title=Svetlana the Great |url=https://slate.com/culture/2004/08/russia-s-gymnastics-queen-preens-at-the-finals.html |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=Slate |date=20 August 2004}} several other teams, including those from Australia, France, and Canada, included older gymnasts as well. At the 2008 Olympics, the silver medalist on vault, Oksana Chusovitina, was a 33-year-old mother.{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=At 33, Gymnast Repays Help for Her Ill Son With a Silver |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/sports/olympics/18silver.html |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=17 August 2008}} By the 2016 Olympics, the average age of female gymnasts was over 20, and it was almost 22 at the 2020 Olympics.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-14 |title=Olympic women's gymnastics median age in 20s for first time in decades |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/olympic-gymnastics-average-age |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} At the 2024 Olympics the average age for the medal winning teams were USA: 22.2 years; Italy: 19.6 years; Brazil: 25.2 years.{{cite web |last=Sederstrom |first=Jill |date=July 31, 2024 |title=Simone Biles Reveals the Gymnastics Team’s "Official" Nickname — And an NSFW One |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/simone-biles-gymnastics-team-nickname-golden-girls |website=NBC}}

Both male and female gymnasts are judged for execution, degree of difficulty, and overall presentation.{{cite web |title=FIG Elite/International Scoring |url=https://usagym.org/pages/events/pages/fig_scoring.html |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804233120/https://usagym.org/pages/events/pages/fig_scoring.html |url-status=dead }} In many competitions, especially high-level ones sanctioned by the FIG, gymnasts compete in "Olympic order", which has changed over time but has stayed consistent for at least a few decades.

For men's artistic gymnastics, the Olympic order is:{{cite web |title=Men's Artistic Gymnastics Event Descriptions |url=https://usagym.org/pages/gymnastics101/men/events.html |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329191817/https://usagym.org/pages/gymnastics101/men/events.html |url-status=dead }}

:1) Floor exercise

:2) Pommel horse

:3) Still rings

:4) Vault

:5) Parallel bars

:6) Horizontal bar

For women's artistic gymnastics, the Olympic order is:{{cite web |title=Women's Artistic Gymnastics Event Descriptions |url=https://usagym.org/pages/gymnastics101/women/events.html |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331092451/https://usagym.org/pages/gymnastics101/women/events.html |url-status=dead }}

:1) Vault

:2) Uneven bars

:3) Balance beam

:4) Floor exercise

{{Main|Vault (gymnastics)}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Vault at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's vault|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Women's vault}}

The vault is both an event and the primary equipment used in that event. Unlike most gymnastic events employing apparatuses, the vault is standard in men's and women's competitions, with little difference. A gymnast sprints down a runway, which is a maximum of {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length, before leaping onto a springboard. Harnessing the energy of the spring, the gymnast directs their body hands-first toward the vault. Body position is maintained while "popping" (blocking using only a shoulder movement) the vaulting platform. The gymnast then rotates their body to land standing on the far side of the vault. In advanced gymnastics, multiple twists and somersaults may be added before landing. Successful vaults depend on the speed of the run, the length of the hurdle, the power the gymnast generates from the legs and shoulder girdle, kinesthetic awareness in the air, and the speed of rotation in the case of more challenging and complex vaults.{{cite web|url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=2975693|title=Vault: The apparatus where the sky is the limit|date=October 9, 2020|work=International Gymnastics Federation}}

In 2004, the traditional vaulting horse was replaced with a new apparatus, sometimes known as a tongue or table. It is more stable, wider, and longer than the older vaulting horse—about {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and width, giving gymnasts a larger blocking surface—and is, therefore, safer than the old vaulting horse. This new, safer apparatus led gymnasts to attempt more difficult vaults.{{Cite web|last=Rand|first=Tim|date=1 January 2003|title=New Vaulting Table|url=https://usagym.org/pages/home/publications/technique/2003/1/vaulttable.pdf|access-date=24 May 2021|website=usagym|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120193432/https://usagym.org/pages/home/publications/technique/2003/1/vaulttable.pdf|archive-date=20 January 2012|url-status=live}}

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Jana Kubičková 1966.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|TCH}} Jana Kubičková at the
1966 World Championships
(old vault horse)

| image2 = 2018 World Championships Caio Souza.jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|BRA}} Caio Souza at the
2018 World Championships
(new vault table)

| image3 = 2019-06-28 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Women's All-around competition Subdivision 1 Vault (Martin Rulsch) 248.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|USA}} Kayla DiCello at the
2019 Junior World Championships
(new vault table)

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Floor (gymnastics)}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Floor at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's floor|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Women's floor}}

The floor event occurs on a carpeted {{convert|12|x|12|m|ft|abbr=on}} square consisting of rigid foam over a layer of plywood supported by springs or foam blocks. This provides a firm surface that will respond with force when compressed, allowing gymnasts to achieve extra height and a softer landing than possible on a regular floor.{{cite web |last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=July 24, 2021 |title=Your Guide to Olympics Gymnastics: Floor Exercise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/24/sports/olympics/gymnastics-floor-exercise.html |work=New York Times}}

Men perform without music for 60 to 70 seconds and must touch each floor corner at least once during their routine. Their routines include tumbling passes demonstrating flexibility, strength, balance, and power. They must also show non-acrobatic skills, including circles, scales, and press handstands.

Women perform a 90-second choreographed routine to instrumental music. Their routines include tumbling passes, jumps, dance elements, acrobatic skills, and turns. Elite gymnasts may perform up to four tumbling passes.

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Polina Astakhova 1960.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|URS}} Polina Astakhova at the 1960 Summer Olympics

| image2 = 2018-10-15 Floor (Apparatus Final Girls' Artistic Gymnastics) at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics by Sandro Halank–263.jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|UKR}} Anastasia Bachynska at the
2018 Youth Olympics

| image3 = European Championships 2022-08-21 Senior Men Apparatus final Floor exercise (Norman Seibert) - DSC 7595.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|HUN}} Krisztofer Mészáros at the
2022 European Championships

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Pommel horse}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Pommel horse at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's pommel horse}}

A typical pommel horse exercise involves both single-leg and double-leg work. Single-leg skills are generally found in the form of "scissors". In double leg work, the gymnast swings both legs in a circular motion (clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on preference). To make the exercise more challenging, gymnasts will often include variations on typical circling skills by turning ("moores" and "spindles") or by straddling their legs ("flares"). Routines end when the gymnast performs a dismount by swinging his body over the horse or landing after a handstand.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockstaracademy.com/blog/gymnastics-pommel-horse|title=What is Gymnastics Pommel Horse and How to Mastering It|date=November 9, 2024|work=Rockstar Academy}}

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Alberto Braglia.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|ITA|1861}} Alberto Braglia at the
1908 Olympic Games

| image2 = 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships - Pommel horse - Louis Smith 06.jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|GBR}} Louis Smith at the
2015 European Championships

| image3 = 2019-06-29 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Men's Apparatus finals Pommel horse (Martin Rulsch) 233.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|JPN}} Shinnosuke Oka at the
2019 Junior World Championships

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Rings (gymnastics)}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Rings at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's rings}}

The still rings are suspended on wire cable from a point {{convert|5.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} off the floor{{cite web|title=Apparatus Norms |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |publisher=FIG |page=II/18 |format=PDF |access-date=16 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219195725/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |archive-date=19 December 2011 }} and adjusted in height so the gymnast has room to hang freely and swing. Gymnasts must demonstrate balance, strength, power, and dynamic motion while preventing the rings themselves from swinging. At least one static strength move is required, but some gymnasts include two or three.

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-N0621-0038, DDR-Meisterschaften im Turnen, Klaus Köste.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|GDR}} Klaus Köste in 1974

| image2 = Competitions in gymnastics at the Olympics 2016. Discipline - rings. 01.jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|GRE}} Eleftherios Petrounias at the
2016 Summer Olympics

| image3 = 2018-10-14 Gymnastics at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics – Boys' Artistic Gymnastics – Apparatus finals – Still rings (Martin Rulsch) 046.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|CAN}} Félix Dolci at the
2018 Youth Olympics

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Parallel bars}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Parallel bars at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's parallel bars}}

The parallel bars consist of two bars slightly further than shoulder-width apart and usually {{convert|1.75|m|ft|abbr=on}} high. Gymnasts execute a series of swings, balancing moves, and releases that require strength and coordination.{{cite web|url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?idNews=3077|title=Parallel Bars: The apparatus of elegance and elasticity|date=February 26, 2021|work=International Gymnastics Federation}}

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Gymnastics at the 1896 Summer Olympics - Men's parallel bars.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagIOCathlete|Alfred Flatow|GER|1896 Summer}} at the 1896 Olympic Games

| image2 = 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships - Parallel bars - Christian Baumann 07.jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|SUI}} Christian Baumann at the
2015 European Championships

| image3 = 2019-06-30 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Men's Apparatus finals Parallel bars (Martin Rulsch) 561.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|JPN}} Takeru Kitazono at the
2019 Junior World Championships

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Horizontal bar}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Horizontal bar at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's horizontal bar}}

The horizontal bar (also known as the high bar) is a {{convert|2.4|cm|in|abbr=on}} thick steel bar raised {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the ground. The gymnast performs 'giants' (360-degree revolutions around the bar), release skills, twists, and direction changes. Using the momentum from giants, enough height can be achieved for spectacular dismounts, such as a triple-back somersault. Leather grips are usually used to help maintain a hold on the bar.{{cite web|url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3084186|title=Horizontal Bar: The apparatus of might and flight|date=March 12, 2021|work=International Gymnastics Federation}}

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-T0625-0006, Ralph-Peter Hemmann.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|GDR}} Ralf-Peter Hemmann
in 1978

| image2 = Rio 2016- Artistic gymnastics - men's qualification (29257460681).jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|NED}} Epke Zonderland at the
2016 Olympic Games

| image3 = 2019-06-30 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Men's Apparatus finals Horizontal bar (Martin Rulsch) 380.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|BRA}} Diogo Soares at the
2019 Junior World Championships

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Uneven bars}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Uneven bars at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Women's uneven bars}}

The uneven bars (known as asymmetric bars in the United Kingdom) were adapted by the Czechoslovak Sokol from the men's parallel bars sometime before World War I and were shown in international exhibition for the first time at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.{{cite book |last=Dusek |first=Peter Paul Jr. |title=Marie Provaznik: Her Life and Contributions to Physical Education |year=1981 |publisher=University of Utah |pages=349–350}} They consist of two horizontal bars set at different heights. Gymnasts perform swings, pirouettes, transition moves between the bars, and releases.

Higher-level gymnasts usually wear leather grips to ensure a firm hold on the bars while protecting their hands from painful blisters and tears (known as rips). Gymnasts sometimes wet their grips with water from a spray bottle and may apply chalk to prevent the grips from slipping. Chalk may also be applied to the hands and bar if grips are not worn.

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-K1102-0019, Karin Janz, Wahl.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|GDR}} Karin Büttner-Janz
in 1971

| image2 = 2019-06-29 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Women's Apparatus finals Uneven bars (Martin Rulsch) 037.jpg

| caption2 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Wei Xiaoyuan at the
2019 Junior World Championships

| image3 = 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships - Uneven bars - Rebecca Downie 01.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|GBR}} Becky Downie at the
2015 European Championships

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

{{Main|Balance beam}}

{{for|Olympic champions|Balance beam at the Olympics}}

{{for|World champions|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Women's balance beam}}

The balance beam existed as early as the 1880s in the form of a "low beam" close to the floor. By the 1920s, the beam was raised much higher due to Swedish influence on the sport.

Gymnasts perform routines ranging from 70 to 90 seconds long, consisting of leaps, acrobatic skills, turns, and dance elements on a padded spring beam. Apparatus norms set by the FIG specify that the beam must be {{convert|125|cm|ft|0|abbr=on}} high, {{convert|500|cm|ft|abbr=on}} long, and {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} wide.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080625041741/http://www.fedintgym.com/rules/docs/03-apparatus/appnorms0701-e.pdf Apparatus Norms], International Gymnastics Federation, p.63. Retrieved 27 March 2007. The event requires balance, flexibility, and strength.

{{multiple image

| total_width = 750

| image1 = Nadia Comăneci Moscow1980b.jpg

| caption1 = {{flagicon|ROM|1965}} Nadia Comăneci at the 1980 Olympic Games

| image2 = Nastia Liukin Nationals.JPG

| caption2 = {{flagicon|USA}} Nastia Liukin at the
2008 USA National Championships

| image3 = 2019-06-30 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Women's Apparatus finals Balance beam (Martin Rulsch) 164.jpg

| caption3 = {{flagicon|CHN}} Ou Yushan at the
2019 Junior World Championships

| footer_align = center

| footer =

| caption_align = center

| align = center

}}

File:PikiWiki Israel 20592 The Gymnast sculpture in Wingate Institute.JPG in Israel.]]

In Olympic and World Championship competitions, meets are divided into several sessions on different days: qualifications, team finals, all-around finals, and event finals.

During the qualification round (abbreviated TQ), gymnasts compete with their national squad in all four (WAG) or six (MAG) events. The scores from this session are not used to award medals but rather to determine which teams advance to the team finals and which individual gymnasts advance to the all-around and event finals. For the 2020 Olympics, teams will consist of four gymnasts, with up to two additional gymnasts per country allowed to compete as individuals. The format of team qualifications is 4–4–3, meaning that all four gymnasts compete in each event, but only the top three scores count. Individual gymnasts may qualify for the all-around and event finals, but their scores do not count toward the team's total.

In the team finals (abbreviated TF), gymnasts compete with their national squad on all four or six events. The scores from the session determine the medalists in the team competition. The format is 4–3–3, meaning that of the four gymnasts on the team, three compete in each event, and all three scores count.[http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/site/figNews/view?id=1151# "Q and A on the new Olympic qualification system in Gymnastics"], FIG, 21 May 2015

In the all-around finals (abbreviated AA), gymnasts compete individually in all four or six events; their totals determine the all-around medals. Only two gymnasts per country may advance to the all-around finals from the qualification round.

In the event finals (abbreviated EF) or apparatus finals, the top eight gymnasts in each event (as determined by scores in the qualification round) compete for medals. Only two gymnasts per country may advance to each event final.

Competitions other than the Olympics and World Championships may use different formats. For instance, the 2007 Pan American Games had only one team competition day with a 6–5–4 format, and three athletes per country were allowed to advance to the all-around. The team event is not contested in other meets, such as on the World Cup circuit.

Since 1989, competitions have used the "new life" rule, under which scores from one session do not carry over to the next. In other words, a gymnast's performance in team finals does not affect their scores in the all-around finals or event finals, and marks from the team qualifying round do not count toward the team finals.{{cite web|url=https://themedalcount.com/2020/10/13/what-olympic-all-around-podiums-would-look-like-without-carry-over-scoring/|title=What Olympic All-Around Podiums Would Look Like Without Carry-Over Scoring|date=October 13, 2020|work=The Medal Count}}

Before this rule was introduced, the scores from the team competition carried over into the all-around and event finals. Final results and medal placement were determined by combining the following scores:

; Qualifiers for all-around and event finals: Team compulsories + team optionals

; Team competition: Team compulsories + team optionals

; All-around competition: Team results (compulsories and optionals) averaged + all-around

; Event finals: Team results (compulsories and optionals) averaged + event final

{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}

Until 1997, the team competition consisted of two sessions, with every gymnast performing standardized compulsory routines in the preliminaries and individualized optional routines on the second day. Team medals were determined based on the combined scores of both days, as were the qualifiers to the all-around and event finals. However, the all-around and event finals did not include compulsory routines.

In meets where team titles were not contested, such as the American Cup, there were two days of all-around competition: one for compulsories and another for optionals.

While each gymnast and their coach developed optional routines in accordance with the Code of Points and the gymnast's strengths, compulsory routines were created and choreographed by the FIG Technical Committee. The dance and tumbling skills were generally less demanding than those in optional routines, but perfect technique, form, and execution were heavily emphasized. Scoring was exacting, with judges taking deductions for even slight deviations from the required choreography. For this reason, many gymnasts and coaches considered compulsories more challenging than optionals.

Compulsory exercises were eliminated at the end of 1996. The move was highly controversial, with many successful gymnastics federations—including the United States, Russia, and China—arguing that the compulsory exercises helped maintain a high standard of form, technique, and execution among gymnasts. Opponents of compulsory exercises believed that they harmed emerging gymnastics programs.

Some members of the gymnastics community still argue that compulsories should be reinstated, and many gymnastics federations have maintained compulsories in their national programs. Often, gymnasts competing at the lower levels of the sport—for instance, Levels 2–5 in USA Gymnastics, Grade 2 in South Africa, and Levels 3–6 in Australia—only perform compulsory routines.

Artistic gymnasts compete only with other gymnasts at their level. Each athlete starts at the lowest level and advances to higher levels by learning more complex skills and achieving qualifying scores at competitions.

In the United States, whose program is governed by USA Gymnastics, levels range from 1 to 10, followed by elite. Levels 1 to 2 are usually considered recreational or beginner; 3 to 6 intermediate; and 7 to elite advanced. Competitions begin at Level 3 or, in some gyms, Level 2. A gymnast must be able to perform specific skills in each event to advance to the next level. Once a gymnast has competed in a sectional meet at a given level, they may not drop back to a lower level in the same competitive season. Gymnasts in Levels 1–2 perform basic skills such as handstands and cartwheels. Levels 3–5 consist of compulsory routines; 6 is an in-between level with strict requirements but some leeway for gymnasts to show their creativity; and Levels 7–10 consist of optional routines.{{cite web |url=https://usagym.org/pages/women/pages/overview_jo.html |website=Women's Development Program Overview |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=21 May 2021|title=USA Gymnastics {{pipe}} Women's Development Program Overview }} Only elite gymnasts compete in accordance with the FIG's Code of Points; lower levels have a modified code.

The elite program is divided into two categories: junior for gymnasts younger than 16, and senior for gymnasts 16 and older. (Gymnasts are allowed to compete at the senior level at the beginning of the calendar year in which they will turn 16.) Olympic teams are chosen from the senior elite program.

The British Gymnastics level system goes from 5 (lowest) to 2, and there are separate tracks for elite- and club-level competition.

There are several competitive streams in Canadian gymnastics: recreational, developmental, pre-competitive, provincial, national, and high-performance. Provincial levels range from 5 (lowest) to 1; national levels are pre-novice, novice, open, and high performance; and high-performance levels are novice, junior, and senior.

In Germany, there are different competitive systems for recreational and high-performance gymnasts. Recreational gymnasts have a system of compulsory exercises from 1 to 9 and optional exercises from 4 to 1, with modified Code of Points requirements. For high-performance and junior athletes, there are compulsory and optional requirements defined by age, from ages 6 to 18.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kari-turnen.de|title=Kari Wertungsvorschriften Gerätturnen Frauen und Männer|website=Judge Homepage of the German Gymnastics Association (DTB)|publisher=Deutscher Turner-Bund e. V.|access-date=7 October 2016}}

{{See also|Age falsification in gymnastics|Gymnastics all-around champions by age}}

The FIG imposes a minimum age requirement on gymnasts competing in certain international meets, but it does not impose a maximum age limit. The term senior refers to world-class or elite gymnasts who are age-eligible under FIG rules: Female gymnasts must be at least 16 or turning 16 within the calendar year, and the minimum age for men is 18. The term junior refers to any gymnast who competes at a world-class or elite level but is too young to be classified as a senior.

Juniors are judged under the same Code of Points as seniors and often exhibit the same difficulty level in their routines. Still, they cannot compete at the Olympics, World Championships, or World Cups. Many meets, such as the European Championships, have separate divisions for juniors. But some competitions, such as the Goodwill Games, the Pan American Games, the Pacific Rim Championships, and the All-Africa Games, permit seniors and juniors to compete together.

The age requirement is contentious and is frequently debated by coaches, gymnasts, and other members of the gymnastics community. Those in favor of the age limits{{who|date=August 2013}} argue that they promote the participation of older athletes and spare younger gymnasts from the stress of competition and high-level training. Opponents point out that junior gymnasts are scored under the same Code of Points as the seniors (with some restrictions) and train mainly with the same skills. They also argue that younger gymnasts need the experience of competing in major events to improve as athletes.

Since stricter age requirements were adopted in the early 1980s, there have been several well-documented and many more suspected cases of juniors with falsified documents competing as seniors. The FIG has only taken disciplinary action in three cases: those of Kim Gwang-Suk of North Korea, who competed at the 1989 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships when she may have been as young as 11;{{cite news |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |title=Gold Medalist and His Team May Be Barred from Olympic Games : Last Chance for a North Korean Athlete |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/1996/04/19/gym.t.php |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=International Herald Tribune |date=19 April 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824173513/http://www.iht.com/articles/1996/04/19/gym.t.php |archive-date=24 August 2008 }}{{cite news |last1=Longman |first1=Jeré |last2=Macur |first2=Juliet |title=Records Say Chinese Gymnasts May Be Under Age |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/sports/olympics/27gymnasts.html |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=27 July 2008}} Hong Su-jong of North Korea, who competed under three different birth dates in the 2000s;{{cite news |title=North Korea banned over 'underaged gymnast' claim |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11493318 |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=BBC News |date=7 October 2010}} and China's Dong Fangxiao, who competed at the 2000 Olympics when she was 14.{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=Medal of Underage Chinese Gymnast Revoked |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/sports/olympics/27gymnasts.html |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=26 February 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=Peter |title=Dong Fangxiao stripped of Olympic medal, Chinese fans angry |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2010/0428/Dong-Fangxiao-stripped-of-Olympic-medal-Chinese-fans-angry |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=28 April 2010}}

While the minimum age requirement applies to both women and men, it is more contentious in the women's program{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} because, while most top male gymnasts are in their late teens or early twenties, female gymnasts are typically ready to compete at the international level by their mid-teens. The difference is largely because men's skills emphasize strength more than women's.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}

File:Deutsche Jugendmeisterschaften Gerätturnen männlich AK 13+14 Pflicht at Internationales Deutsches Turnfest Berlin 2017 (Martin Rulsch) 1403.jpg

{{Main|Code of Points (artistic gymnastics)}}

Scoring at the international level is regulated by the Code of Points.

Under the system established in 2006, two panels judge each routine, evaluating different aspects of the performance. The D score covers skill requirements, difficulty value, and connection value (for skills performed back to back with no pause in between); the E score covers execution and artistry; the two are added together to produce final scores. The maximum E score is 10, but there is no cap on the D score. Theoretically, this means scores could be infinite. However, average marks for routines in major competitions have generally been in the low to mid-teens.

This system, with its open-ended difficulty score, is very different from the one used for most of the sport's history. Before 2006, the highest possible score was a "perfect 10". Every routine was assigned a start value (SV) based on difficulty. A routine that included all required elements received a base SV—9.4 in 1996, 9.0 in 1997, 8.8 in 2001—and gymnasts could increase their SV to a maximum of 10 by performing more challenging skills and combinations. Then, to score a gymnast's routine, judges deducted from the SV for errors in execution.

Some gymnasts and coaches—including Olympic gold medalists Lilia Podkopayeva, Svetlana Boginskaya, Shannon Miller, and Vitaly Scherbo, and Romanian team coach Nicolae Forminte — publicly opposed the new Code of Points when it was first announced. In addition, a 2006 report from the FIG Athletes' Commission cited significant concerns about scoring, judging, and other subjects. Aspects of the code were revised in 2007, but there are no plans to return to the "perfect 10" format.

• Olympic Games: Artistic gymnastics is one of the most popular events at the Summer Olympics, held every four years. Countries qualify teams based on their performance at the World Championships the year before the Games. Nations not qualifying to send an entire team may be eligible to send one or two individual gymnasts.
• World Championships: The gymnastics-only World Championships is open to teams from every FIG member nation. The competition has different formats depending on the year: full team finals, all-around, and event finals; all-around and event finals only; or event finals only. Since 2019, the Junior World Championships have been held every two years.
• The Artistic Gymnastics World Cup and World Challenge Cup Series
• Goodwill Games: Artistic gymnastics was an event at this now-defunct competition.

• All-Africa Games: Held every four years, and open to teams and gymnasts from African nations.
• Asian Games: Held every four years, and open to teams and gymnasts from Asian nations.
• Central American and Caribbean Games: Held every four years and open to teams and gymnasts from Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the South American countries of Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
• Commonwealth Games: Held every four years, and open to teams and gymnasts from Commonwealth nations.
• European Games: Held every four years, and open to teams and gymnastics from European nations.
• Mediterranean Games: Held every four years, and open to gymnasts from nations around or very close to the Mediterranean Sea, where Europe, Africa, and Asia meet.
• Pan American Games: Held every four years, and open to teams and gymnasts from North, South, and Central America.
• South American Games: Held every four years, and open to teams and gymnasts from South American nations.
• Southeast Asian Games: Held every two years, and open to teams and gymnasts from Southeast Asian nations.

• Asian Gymnastics Championships: Open to teams and gymnasts from Asian nations.
• European Championships: Held yearly, and open to teams and gymnasts from European nations.
• Pacific Rim Championships (known as the Pacific Alliance Championships until 2008): Held every two years, and open to teams from members of the Pacific Alliance of National Gymnastics Federations, including the US, China, Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and other nations on the Pacific coast.
• Pan American Gymnastics Championships: Held most years when the Pan American Games are not held, and open to teams and gymnasts from North, South, and Central America
• South American Gymnastics Championships: Held most years, and open to teams and gymnasts from South American countries.

Most countries hold a major competition (National Championships, or "Nationals") every year that determines the best-performing all-around gymnasts and event specialists. Based on their scores at Nationals, gymnasts may qualify for their country's national team or be selected for international meets.

Before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Soviet gymnasts dominated both men's and women's gymnastics, starting with the introduction of the full women's program into the Olympics and the overall increased standardization of the Olympic gymnastics competition format, which happened in 1952. The Soviet Union's success might be explained by the government's heavy investment in sports to support its political agenda on an international stage.{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/russia-and-its-empires/tyler-benson/|title=The Role of Sports in The Soviet Union {{pipe}} Guided History}}{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2021}}

The Soviet Union had many male stars, such as Olympic all-around champions Viktor Chukarin and Vitaly Scherbo, and female stars, such as Olympic all-around champions Larisa Latynina and Svetlana Boginskaya. From 1952 to 1992 inclusive, the Soviet women's squad won almost every team title in World Championship and Olympic competition, with only four exceptions: the 1984 Olympics, which the country boycotted, and the 1966, 1979, and 1987 World Championships. Most of the top Soviet gymnasts were from the Russian SFSR, the Ukrainian SSR, and the Byelorussian SSR.

Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, its gymnasts performed together for the last time at the 1992 Summer Olympics as the Unified Team, winning both the men's and women's team competitions.{{cite news |last1=Glauber |first1=Bill |title=They Still Have Golden Touch: Men's gymnastics |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-30-sp-4714-story.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=Baltimore Sun |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=30 July 1992}}

Russia has continued the Soviet tradition,{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Frederick C. |title=Soviet Union's Demise Hasn't Hurt Russian Gymnastics Team |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB838176829956166000 |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=24 July 1996}} medaling at every World and Olympic competition in both MAG and WAG disciplines, except at the 2008 Olympics. Ukraine maintained a strong team for more than a decade—Ukrainian Lilia Podkopayeva was the all-around champion at the 1996 Olympics{{cite web |title=Lilia Podkopayeva |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2008_Lilia_Podkopayeva.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=13 June 2021}}—but it has declined in recent years. Belarus has maintained a strong men's team. Other former republics have been less successful.

The Romanian team first achieved wide-scale success at the 1976 Summer Olympics with the performance of Nadia Comăneci, who was the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 in Olympic competition.{{cite web |title=Biography: Nadia Comaneci |url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/nadia-comaneci |website=Olympics.com |access-date=12 June 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Armour |first1=Nancy |title=40 years after perfect 10, gymnast Nadia Comaneci remains an Olympic icon |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/07/20/10-gymnast-nadia-comaneci-olympics-montreal/87357146/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=USA Today |date=20 July 2016}} After that, using the centralized training system pioneered by Béla Károlyi, they remained a dominant force in women's team and individual events for nearly four decades.

Romania was one of only two teams ever to defeat the Soviets in head-to-head World or Olympic competition, winning at the 1979 and 1987 World Championships. (The other was the Czechoslovak women's team at the 1966 World Championships.) The Romanian women also won team medals at every Olympics from 1976 to 2012 inclusive, including gold medals in 1984, 2000, and 2004. At the 16 World Championships from 1978 to 2007 inclusive, they failed to medal only twice (in 1981 and 2006) and won the team title seven times, including five victories in a row (1994–2001). From 1976 to 2000, they placed gymnasts—such as Daniela Silivaș,{{cite web |title=Daniela Silivas |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2002_Daniela_Silivas.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=13 June 2021}} Lavinia Miloșovici,{{cite web |title=Lavinia Miloșovici |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2011_Lavinia_Milosovici.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=13 June 2021}} and Simona Amânar{{cite web |title=Simona Amanar |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2007_Simona_Amanar.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=13 June 2021}}—on the all-around podium at every Olympics, and usually did the same at the World Championships through 2015, including producing World all-around champions Aurelia Dobre (1987){{cite web |title=Aurelia Dobre |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2016_Aurelia_Dobre.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=13 June 2021}} and Maria Olaru (1999).{{cite news |title=Romanians Off To a Fast Start |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/10/sports/plus-gymnastics-world-championships-romanians-off-to-a-fast-start.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=10 October 1999}}

The decline of Romanian gymnastics began after the 2004 Summer Olympics. At the 2006 World Championships, they failed to medal in the team competition, and only Sandra Izbașa won any individual medals. They won bronze medals at the 2007 World Championships, 2008 Summer Olympics, and 2012 Summer Olympics but failed to medal at the 2010, 2011, or 2014 World Championships.

Things took a drastic turn at the 2015 World Championships, where Romania did not even qualify for the team final.{{cite news |last1=Graves |first1=Will |title=Romania off to rough start at world gymnastics championships |url=https://apnews.com/article/d00ea3c7151a4d5685a8390ab07e3544 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Associated Press |date=23 October 2015}} In 2016, it failed to qualify a full team to the 2016 Summer Olympics, placing seventh at the 2016 Gymnastics Olympic Test Event.{{cite web|url=https://thegymter.net/2016/04/25/the-test-event-reflections-romania/|title=The Test Event Reflections: Romania|work=The Gymternet|date=25 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/19/romanian-gymnastics-olympics-failure|title=Romania's Olympic gymnastics failure: where did it all go wrong?|work=The Guardian|date=19 April 2016}} It earned one Olympic spot, which was filled by 3-time Olympic champion Cătălina Ponor.{{cite news |last1=Dunlap |first1=Tiare |title=Formerly a Gymnastics Superpower, Romania Is Being Represented by a Team of One in Rio |url=https://people.com/sports/rio-2016-romania-will-be-represented-by-a-team-of-one-in-womens-gymnastics/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=People |date=14 August 2016}}

At the 2018 World Championships, Romania placed 13th in qualifications and did not make the team final. At the 2019 World Championships, it finished 22nd out of 24 teams—beating only the Czech Republic and Egypt—and again failed to qualify a team to the 2020 Summer Olympics, with only Maria Holbură earning an individual spot.{{cite web|url=https://dvora.substack.com/p/the-fall-and-rise-of-romanian-gymnastics|title=The Fall (and Rise?) of Romanian Gymnastics|work=Unorthodox Gymnastics|first=Dvora|last=Meyers|date=13 November 2019}} After the Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a second Romanian gymnast, Larisa Iordache, earned an individual spot through the 2021 European Championships.{{cite news |last1=Bregman |first1=Scott |title=Larisa Iordache punches ticket to Tokyo at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Basel |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/larisa-iordache-qualifies-tokyo-european-artistic-gymnastics-championships |access-date=6 June 2021 |work=Olympics.com |date=21 April 2021}}

While less successful than the women's program, the Romanian men's program has produced individual medalists such as Marian Drăgulescu and Marius Urzică at World and Olympic competitions.

{{main|Artistic gymnastics in the United States}}

While isolated American gymnasts, including Kurt Thomas{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Richard |title=Kurt Thomas, Trailblazing Champion Gymnast, Dies at 64 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/07/sports/kurt-thomas-dead.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=7 June 2020}} and Cathy Rigby,{{cite web |title=Cathy Rigby |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/1998_Cathy_Rigby.php |website=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=12 June 2021}} won medals at World Championship competitions in the 1970s, the United States team was largely considered a "second power" until the late 1980s, when American gymnasts began medaling consistently in major, fully attended competitions.

At the 1984 Olympics, which the Soviet bloc boycotted, the American men won the gold with a team composed of Bart Conner, Tim Daggett, Mitch Gaylord, Jim Hartung, Scott Johnson, and Peter Vidmar.{{cite web |title=1984 Men's Gymnastics Team |date=29 July 2019 |url=https://usopm.org/1984-mens-gymnastics-team/ |publisher=United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum |access-date=12 June 2021}} The women's team—composed of Pam Bileck, Michelle Dusserre, Kathy Johnson, Julianne McNamara, Mary Lou Retton, and Tracee Talavera{{cite web |title=Olympic Games – U.S. Women's Team Rosters |url=https://usagym.org/pages/pressbox/history/olympics_rosters_women.html |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=12 June 2021 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025213317/http://usagym.org/pages/pressbox/history/olympics_rosters_women.html |url-status=dead }}—won a silver medal,{{cite news |title=Women's 1984 Silver Medal Olympic Team Reunites At Olympic Trials |url=https://www.usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1199 |access-date=12 June 2021 |publisher=USA Gymnastics |date=27 June 2004}} and Retton became the first American Olympic all-around champion.{{cite web |title=Mary Lou Retton |date=21 July 2019 |url=https://usopm.org/mary-lou-retton/ |publisher=United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum |access-date=12 June 2021}}

In 1991, Kim Zmeskal became the first American all-around winner at the World Championships.{{cite magazine |last1=Swift |first1=E.M. |title=A Wow at the Worlds |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/09/23/a-wow-at-the-worlds-kim-zmeskal-of-the-us-made-history-in-indianapolis-by-winning-the-womens-all-around-at-a-stormy-world-gymnastics-championships |access-date=12 June 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=23 September 1991}} At the 1992 Olympics, the American women won their first team medal (bronze) at a fully attended Games,{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Karen |title=Remembering The Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 – 25 Memorable Moments |url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/July/25/Remembering-The-Olympic-Games-Barcelona-1992-25-Memorable-Moments |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820104148/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/July/25/Remembering-The-Olympic-Games-Barcelona-1992-25-Memorable-Moments |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 August 2017 |website=Team USA |access-date=12 June 2021}} as well as their highest all-around ranking, a silver medal for Shannon Miller.{{cite news |last1=Janofsky |first1=Michael |title=Gutsu Beats Miller and Stashes Gold in the Vault |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/31/sports/barcelona-gymnastics-gutsu-beats-miller-and-stashes-gold-in-the-vault.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=31 July 1992}} In men's gymnastics, Trent Dimas won the horizontal bar final.{{cite news |last1=Buchalter |first1=Bill |title=Dimas Wins Gold on Bar |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1992-08-03-9208030168-story.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=3 August 1992}}{{cite news |last1=Beshkin |first1=Abigail |title=Life After the Gold: Olympic Gymnast Finds New Routines to Perfect at GS |url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/pr/00/01/trentDimas.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Columbia University News |date=6 January 2000}}

The U.S. women's team has become increasingly successful in the modern era, with the 1996 Olympic team victory of the Magnificent Seven,{{cite news |last1=Meyers |first1=Dvora |title=What Really Happened Before and After Kerri Strug's Famous Vault |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/a38123/oral-history-of-the-magnificent-seven/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Elle |date=28 July 2016}}{{cite news |last1=McCarvel |first1=Nick |title=Magnificent Seven reflects on their historic gold twenty years later |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=18952 |access-date=12 June 2021 |publisher=USA Gymnastics |date=23 July 2016}} the 2003 Worlds team victory,{{cite news |last1=Litsky |first1=Frank |title=U.S. Picked Up the Pieces And a World Title as Well |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/22/sports/gymnastics-us-picked-up-the-pieces-and-a-world-title-as-well.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=22 August 2003}} and multiple medals in both WAG and MAG at the 2004 Olympics. At the 2012 Olympics{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=In Gymnastics, U.S. Flies High and Stands Alone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/sports/olympics/us-women-win-olympic-gymnastics-team-competition.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=31 July 2012}} and 2016 Olympics,{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Ben |last2=Radnofsky |first2=Louise |title=Rio 2016: The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Is as Good as Gold |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/rio-2016-u-s-womens-gymnastics-team-wins-team-gold-1470778744 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=9 August 2016}} the U.S. women won the team gold. The United States has produced the last six women's Olympic all-around champions—Carly Patterson (2004),{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=20 Years Later, the Next Mary Lou Takes Her Place |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/sports/summer-2004-games-gymnastics-women-s-all-around-20-years-later-next-mary-lou.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=20 August 2004}} Nastia Liukin (2008),{{cite news |last1=Muir |first1=David |last2=Kent |first2=Jo Ling |title=U.S. Gymnast Claims Father's Missed Medal: Interview with Nastia Liukin |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/China/story?id=5616289&page=1 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=ABC News |date=21 August 2008}} Gabby Douglas (2012),{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Liz |title=Gymnast Gabby Douglas soars to women's all-around gold |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/gymnast-gabby-douglas-soars-to-womens-all-around-gold/2012/08/02/gJQA7w6iSX_story.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2 August 2012}} Simone Biles (2016, 2024){{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=James |title=Simone Biles wins all-around gold at Rio Games in US one-two |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/11/sport/simone-biles-usa-gymnastics-rio/index.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=CNN |date=12 August 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Biles back on top: Simone Biles clinches second Olympic all-around gold {{!}} NBC Olympics |url=https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/biles-back-top-simone-biles-clinches-second-olympic-all-around-gold |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=www.nbcolympics.com |language=en}} and Sunisa Lee (2021)—as well as individual gymnasts such as World all-around champions Zmeskal (1991), Shannon Miller (1993, 1994),{{cite web |title=Shannon Miller |url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/shannon-miller |website=Olympics.com |access-date=12 June 2021}} Chellsie Memmel (2005),{{cite news |last1=Graves |first1=Will |title=Chellsie's Chase: US Olympian's gymnastics comeback turning serious |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/olympics/chellsie-memmel-2005-world-champion-mounts-olympic-gymnastics-comeback/507-150eff2e-0f85-4835-9de9-4f3ede25bc8e |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=KARE 11 |date=23 February 2021}} Shawn Johnson (2007),{{cite news |title=Johnson wins women's all-around at 2007 World Championships |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=298 |access-date=12 June 2021 |publisher=USA Gymnastics |date=8 September 2007}} Bridget Sloan (2009),{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=Beijing Helped Gymnast See Her Potential |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/sports/olympics/27gymnast.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=26 December 2009}} Jordyn Wieber (2011),{{cite news |last1=Roenigk |first1=Alyssa |title=18 Under 18: Jordyn Wieber |url=https://www.espn.com/high-school/girl/story/_/id/7625307/jordyn-wieber |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=ESPN |date=28 February 2012}} Biles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023),{{cite news |last1=Keh |first1=Andrew |title=Simone Biles Becomes World Championships' Most Decorated Gymnast |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/13/sports/simone-biles-worlds.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=13 October 2019}} and Morgan Hurd (2017).{{cite news |last1=Zaccardi |first1=Nick |title=Morgan Hurd wins shock world all-around title |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2017/10/06/morgan-hurd-ragan-smith-ellie-black-mai-murakami-gymnastics-worlds-all-around/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=NBC Sports |date=6 October 2017}} At the 2005 World Championships, American women won the gold and silver in the all-around and in every event final except vault (where Alicia Sacramone placed third).{{cite web |title=38th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Women |url=https://gymnasticsresults.com/archive/2005/w2005w.html |website=GymnasticsResults.com |access-date=12 June 2021}} They continue to be one of the most dominant forces in the sport.{{cite news |last1=Bregman |first1=Scott |title=U.S. women's gymnastics prepares for life after Simone Biles |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/usa-womens-gymnastics-simone-biles-next-generation |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Olympics.com |date=25 February 2021}}

The men's team made the medal podium at the 2004,{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=U.S. Men's Gymnasts Capture Silver Medal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/17/sports/summer-2004-games-gymnastics-men-s-team-final-us-men-s-gymnasts-capture-silver.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=17 August 2004}} 2008,{{cite news |title=USA wins team bronze medal in men's gymnastics at 2008 Olympic Games |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=2333 |access-date=12 June 2021 |publisher=USA Gymnastics |date=12 August 2008}} and 2024 Olympics,{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Stephen |last2=Gillette |first2=Wendy |date=2024-07-29 |title=U.S. men win their first Olympic gymnastics team medal in 16 years - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-men-gymnasts-win-first-olympic-medal-16-years/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} as well as the 2003{{cite web |title=37th World Championships Artistic Gymnastics |url=https://gymnasticsresults.com/archive/2003/w2003m.html |website=GymnasticsResults.com |access-date=12 June 2021}} and 2011 World Championships.{{cite web |title=43rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships |url=https://gymnasticsresults.com/archive/worlds/2011/mag/teamsfinal.pdf |website=GymnasticsResults.com |access-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612031944/https://gymnasticsresults.com/archive/worlds/2011/mag/teamsfinal.pdf |archive-date=12 June 2021 |url-status=live }} Paul Hamm, the most successful U.S. male gymnast, became the first American man to win a World all-around title in 2003. He followed this up by winning the all-around at the 2004 Olympics.{{cite news |last1=Penny |first1=Brandon |title=Revisiting Paul Hamm's Golden Moment 10 Years Later |url=https://www.teamusa.org/news/2014/august/18/revisiting-paul-hamms-golden-moment-10-years-later |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109182629/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/August/18/Revisiting-Paul-Hamms-Golden-Moment-10-Years-Later |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 January 2015 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=TeamUSA.org |date=18 August 2014}} Jonathan Horton won a silver medal on the horizontal bar at the 2008 Olympics and a bronze in the all-around at the 2010 World Championships,{{cite news |last1=Barron |first1=David |title=Houston gymnast Jonathan Horton announces retirement |url=https://www.chron.com/olympics/article/Gymnast-Jonathan-Horton-announces-retirement-11231669.php |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=19 June 2017}} and Danell Leyva won the all-around bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and two silver medals (parallel bars and horizontal bar) at the 2016 Olympics.{{cite news |last1=McCarvel |first1=Nick |title=Once An Olympic Alternate, Danell Leyva Wins A Pair Of Silvers To Close Rio Effort |url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/August/16/Once-An-Olympic-Alternate-Danell-Leyva-Sticks-Parallel-Bars-Routine-For-Silver |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818180433/http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/August/16/Once-An-Olympic-Alternate-Danell-Leyva-Sticks-Parallel-Bars-Routine-For-Silver |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2016 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=TeamUSA.org |date=16 August 2016}}

China has had successful men's and women's programs over the past 25 years. The Chinese men won team gold at the 2000,{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Selena |title=After 40 Years of Expectation, Mighty Chinese Come Through |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/19/sports/sydney-2000-gymnastics-after-40-years-of-expectation-mighty-chinese-come-through.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=19 September 2000}} 2008,{{cite news |last1=Odeven |first1=Ed |title=China's Men Ace Gymnastics; Japan Second |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2008/08/13/olympics/chinas-men-ace-gymnastics-japan-second/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Japan Times |date=13 August 2008}} and 2012 Olympics{{cite news|last=Pucin|first=Diane|date=30 July 2012|title= London Olympics: China men's gymnastics team wins gold; U.S. 5th|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-xpm-2012-jul-30-la-sp-on-china-wins-mens-gymnastics-20120730-story.html|access-date=1 August 2012}} and every World Championship team title from 1994 to 2014 (except 2001, when they placed fifth).{{cite news |last1=Zaccardi |first1=Nick |title=China steals men's gymnastics world title after Russian drama; U.S. 4th |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/10/29/china-wins-gymnastics-world-men-team-title/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=NBC Sports |date=29 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=2001 World Championships – Ghent, Belgium |url=https://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/worlds_artistic_results_2001.pdf |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321014817/https://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/worlds_artistic_results_2001.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2014 |url-status=live }} They have produced individual gymnasts like Olympic all-around champions Li Xiaoshuang (1996){{cite news |last1=Frey |first1=Jennifer |title=Chinese Claims Gold Over Russian Favorite |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/25/chinese-claims-gold-over-russian-favorite/842d9db5-ea0f-4f6c-870d-8e3d8512be10/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=25 July 1996}} and Yang Wei (2008).{{cite news |last1=Cunningham |first1=Russell |title=Yang Wei secures elusive gold in gymnastics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/aug/14/olympics2008.olympicsgymnastics |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=14 August 2008}}

The Chinese women's team won gold at the 2006 World Championships{{cite news |title=China on top at gymnastics worlds |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-10/22/content_713881.htm |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=China Daily |date=22 October 2006}} and 2008 Olympics,{{cite news |last1=Kaufman |first1=Michelle |title=China defeats U.S. for gymnastics gold |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/aug/13/china-defeats-us-for-gymnastics-gold/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Miami Herald |date=13 August 2008}} and has produced individual gymnasts like Mo Huilan, Kui Yuanyuan, Yang Bo, Cheng Fei, Sui Lu, Huang Huidan, Yao Jinnan, and Fan Yilin. Chinese women who have won individual Olympic gold medals are Ma Yanhong,{{cite web |title=Ma Yanhong |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2008_Ma_Yanhong.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=12 June 2021}} Lu Li,{{cite news |last1=Christianson |first1=Bill |title=Redmond hits the jackpot: Chinese Olympic gold medalist named new coach at Emerald City Gymnastics |url=https://www.redmond-reporter.com/life/redmond-hits-the-jackpot-chinese-olympic-gold-medalist-named-new-coach-at-emerald-city-gymnastics/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Redmond Reporter |date=17 September 2009}} Liu Xuan,{{cite news |title=China Wins Beam Gold |url=https://apnews.com/article/b5312702ba56de086b21db20380a5260 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Associated Press |date=25 September 2000}} He Kexin,{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Pritha |title=He Kexin pips Liukin for bars title |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-gymnastics-women-asymmetric/he-kexin-pips-liukin-for-bars-title-idUSSP29538420080818 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=18 August 2008}} Deng Linlin,{{cite news |last1=Fallon |first1=Clare |title=China's Deng wins beam gold medal |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oly-gymn-gawbea/chinas-deng-wins-beam-gold-medal-idUSBRE87610420120807 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=7 August 2012}} and Guan Chenchen.

Though for many years considered a two-event team (uneven bars and balance beam), China has developed successful all-arounders like Olympic bronze medalists Liu Xuan (2000),{{cite news |last1=Leicester |first1=John |title=Xuan China's Most Successful Gymnast |url=https://apnews.com/article/560966add494670257344da6da3119a8 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Associated Press |date=26 September 2000}} Zhang Nan (2004),{{cite news |title=Zhang Nan Grabs a Gymnastic Bronze |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/20/content_367183.htm |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Xinhua |publisher=China Daily |date=20 August 2004}} and Yang Yilin (2008).{{cite news |title=Chinese Yang Yilin wins bronze medal of women's all-around gymnastics |url=http://english.sina.com/sports/p/2008/0815/178937.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Xinhua |publisher=Sina English |date=15 August 2008}} Like the Soviet Union, they have been accused of grueling and sometimes cruel training methods,{{cite news |last1=Ransom |first1=Ian |title='State property': Memoirs of a top Chinese gymnast |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-xpm-2012-07-26-sns-rt-us-oly-chn-fan-adv1bre86q04f-20120726-story.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=26 July 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Louisa |title=Boarding Schools Generate China's Sport Stars |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92479526 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=NPR |date=21 July 2008}} as well as age falsification.{{cite news |last1=Zuckerman |first1=Esther |title=Age Is Just a Number for Chinese Gymnastic Team |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2012/06/age-just-number-chinese-gymnastic-team/326405/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Atlantic |date=29 June 2012}}

The Japanese men's team was dominant during the 1960s and 1970s, winning every Olympic team title from 1960 through 1976{{cite news |title=Fujimoto bravery helps Japan make it five golds in a row |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/fujimoto-bravery-helps-japan-make-it-five-golds-in-a-row-gymnastics |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Olympics.com |date=20 July 1976}}{{cite news |title=In Photos: Historic moments of the Olympic Games — Montreal 1976 |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/graphs/20190819/hpe/00m/0sp/001000g/2 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Mainichi |date=19 August 2019}} thanks to individual gymnasts such as Olympic all-around champions Sawao Katō and Yukio Endō. Several innovations pioneered by Japanese gymnasts during this era have remained in the sport, including the Tsukahara vault.{{cite news |last1=Warshaw |first1=Brette |title=What's The Difference Between A Kasamatsu & A Tsukahara? |url=https://www.flogymnastics.com/articles/6317149-whats-the-difference-between-a-kasamatsu-a-tsukahara |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=FloGymnastics |date=16 January 2019}}

More recently, Japanese men have re-emerged as top contenders since winning a team gold at the 2004 Olympics. Six-time World champion and two-time Olympic all-around gold medalist Kōhei Uchimura is widely considered to be the best all-around gymnast ever,{{cite news |last1=Schuman |first1=Rebecca |title=The Greatest Gymnast of All Time |url=https://slate.com/culture/2016/08/kohei-uchimura-is-the-greatest-gymnast-of-all-time.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Slate |date=10 August 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Armour |first1=Nancy |title=No more questioning that Kohei Uchimura is greatest gymnast ever |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2015/10/30/armour-no-more-questioning-kohei-uchimura-greatest-gymnast-ever/74906076/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=USA Today |date=30 October 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Pritha |title=Is Uchimura the G.O.A.T? Yes, says Comaneci |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-agymnastics-m-ind-uchimu/gymnastics-is-uchimura-the-g-o-a-t-yes-says-comaneci-idUSKCN10O0K0 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=13 August 2016}} and Hiroyuki Tomita won 10 World and Olympic medals from 2003 to 2008.{{cite web |title=Hiroyuki Tomita |url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/hiroyuki-tomita |website=Olympics.com |access-date=12 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Athletes > Hiroyuki Tomita > Bio |url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete%3D810/bio/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103074658/http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete%3D810/bio/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2009 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=12 June 2021}}

The women have been less successful, but there have been individual standouts such as Olympic and World medalist Keiko Tanaka-Ikeda, who competed in the 1950s and 1960s,{{cite web |title=Keiko Ikeda |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2002_Keiko_Ikeda.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=12 June 2021}} and more recently Koko Tsurumi, Rie Tanaka, Natsumi Sasada, Yuko Shintake, Asuka Teramoto, Sae Miyakawa, Hitomi Hatakeda, Aiko Sugihara, and Mai Murakami. Tsurumi won a bronze medal in the all-around and silver on bars at the 2009 World Championships,{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Lauren |title=World Medalist and Olympian Koko Tsurumi Retires |url=https://thegymter.net/2015/12/11/world-medalist-and-olympian-koko-tsurumi-retires/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Gymternet |date=11 December 2015}} and Murakami won gold on floor in 2017, the first Japanese woman to win a World gold medal since Tanaka-Ikeda.{{cite news |title=Mai Murakami makes history with gold medal at worlds; Kenzo Shirai wins vault title |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/10/09/more-sports/gymnastics/mai-murakami-makes-history-gold-medal-worlds-kenzo-shirai-wins-vault-title/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Japan Times |date=9 October 2017}}

The German Democratic Republic, or East Germany, had a very successful gymnastics program before the reunification of Germany.{{cite news |last1=Hudson |first1=Maryann |title=Same East German Talent, New Approach |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-28-sp-301-story.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=28 April 1990}} Its MAG and WAG teams frequently won silver or bronze medals at the World Championships and Olympics, led by male gymnasts such as Andreas Wecker and Roland Brückner, and female gymnasts such as Maxi Gnauck, Karin Janz, and Erika Zuchold.{{cite web |title=Ranking the Most Dominant East German Gymnasts |url=https://themedalcount.com/2020/01/27/ranking-the-most-dominant-east-german-gymnasts/ |website=The Medal Count |date=27 January 2020 |access-date=12 June 2021}}

The Federal Republic of Germany, or West Germany, had international stars like Eberhard Gienger, Willi Jaschek, and Helmut Bantz.

Since its reunification, Germany has produced some medal-winning gymnasts, including Fabian Hambüchen, Philipp Boy, and Marcel Nguyen among the men and Pauline Schäfer, Elizabeth Seitz, Sophie Scheder, and Tabea Alt among the women. The former Soviet/Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina also competed for Germany from 2006 to 2012, winning two World medals and an Olympic silver on vault.

The Czechoslovakian women's team was the main threat to the dominance of the Soviet women's team for decades. They won team medals at every World Championships and Olympics from 1934 to 1970, with the exceptions of the 1950 Worlds and 1956 Olympics.{{cite web |title=Men's and Women's World Championships Results |url=https://usagym.org/pages/pressbox/history/worlds_results_artistic.html |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=12 June 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184327/https://usagym.org/pages/pressbox/history/worlds_results_artistic.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Men's and Women's Olympic Games Results |url=https://usagym.org/pages/pressbox/history/olympics_results_artistic.html |publisher=USA Gymnastics |access-date=12 June 2021}} Among their leaders were Vlasta Děkanová, the first women's World all-around champion,{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Lauren |title=Our First Team USA: Women's Gymnastics at Berlin 1936 |url=https://thegymter.net/2016/01/07/our-first-team-usa-womens-gymnastics-at-berlin-1936/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Gymternet |date=7 January 2016}} and Věra Čáslavská, who won all five European, World and Olympic all-around titles during the 1964–68 Olympic cycle{{cite web |title=Vera Caslavska |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/1998_Vera_Caslavska.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=12 June 2021}}—a feat never matched by any other gymnast, male or female. Čáslavská also led Czechoslovakia to the world team title in 1966,{{cite web |title=The battle between the two biggest stars in gymnastics |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/the-battle-between-the-two-biggest-stars-in-gymnastics |website=Olympics.com |access-date=12 June 2021}} making the country one of only two (Romania being the other) ever to defeat the Soviet women's team at a major competition.

The Czechoslovakia men's success at the World Championships was the greatest of any country before World War II: They were first in the medal table more than any other nation and won the most team titles during the pre-WWII period.

Together, Czechoslovakia and its precursor, the Austro-Hungarian constituent Bohemia, produced four men's World all-around champions: Josef Čada in 1907, Ferdinand Steiner in 1911, František Pecháček in 1922, and Jan Gajdoš in 1938. Their most decorated athlete was Ladislav Vácha, who won 10 individual World and Olympic medals.

Led by individuals such as 10-time Olympic medalist (with five golds) Ágnes Keleti,{{cite web |title=Agnes Keleti |url=https://themedalcount.com/agnes-keleti/ |website=The Medal Count |date=July 2020 |access-date=12 June 2021}} the Hungarian women's team medaled at the first four Olympics that included women's artistic gymnastics competitions (1936–1956), as well as at the 1954 World Championships. After a long decline, World and Olympic vault champion Henrietta Ónodi put them back on the map in the late 1980s and early 1990s.{{cite web |title=Henrietta Onodi |url=https://www.ighof.com/inductees/2010_Henrietta_Onodi.php |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=12 June 2021}}{{cite news |title=Memorable Moments of the Quad: 1989–1992 |url=http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2016/08/03/memorable-moments-of-the-quad-1989-1992/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The Couch Gymnast |date=3 August 2016}}

The Hungarian men never had the same level of success as the women. However, Zoltán Magyar dominated the pommel horse in the 1970s, winning eight of a possible nine European, World, and Olympic titles from 1973 to 1980. Szilveszter Csollány, a World and Olympic champion on rings, also won medals at major competitions for a decade starting in the early 1990s. In more recent years, Krisztián Berki has won World and Olympic titles on the pommel horse.{{cite news |title=Krisztian Berki, Olympic pommel horse champion, retires |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/02/04/krisztian-berki-retires-gymnastics/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=NBC Sports |date=4 February 2021}}

Several other nations have been strong competitors in WAG and MAG. The rise of various countries' programs in recent years is partly due to the large exodus of coaching talent from the USSR and other former Eastern Bloc countries.

In the past two decades, Australia,{{cite news |title=Rizzo makes Australian gymnastics history |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-10-22/rizzo-makes-australian-gymnastics-history/1292146 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=AFP |date=21 October 2006}}{{cite news |last1=Morton |first1=Jim |title=Mitchell dances to world title |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/mitchell-dances-to-world-title-20101025-170wg.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 October 2010}} Brazil,{{cite news |last1=Rohter |first1=Larry |title=A Nation's Hope Rises Out of Nowhere |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/08/sports/athens-summer-2004-olympics-daiane-dos-santos-brazil-gymnastics-nation-s-hope.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=8 August 2004}}{{cite news |last1=Ulmer |first1=Alexandra |last2=Gallagher |first2=Chris |title=Gymnastics: Weepy Brazilians jubilant over first floor medals |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-agymnastics-m-floor-braz/gymnastics-weepy-brazilians-jubilant-over-first-floor-medals-idUSKCN10P0OR |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=14 August 2016}} Great Britain,{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Emma |title=Beth Tweddle finally achieves Olympic medal with bronze on bars |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/06/beth-tweddle-london-2012-olympics |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=6 August 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Herbert |first1=Ian |title=Rio 2016: Amy Tinkler takes bronze in women's floor gymnastics as Simone Biles wins fourth gold |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/rio-2016-amy-tinkler-bronze-women-s-floor-gymnastics-simone-biles-gold-a7194516.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Independent |date=16 August 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Hannah |title=Performances of a lifetime from Nottingham gymnast sisters Becky and Ellie |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/performances-lifetime-nottingham-gymnast-sisters-3422950 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Nottingham Post |date=13 October 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Carayol |first1=Tumaini |title=Max Whitlock to lead young GB men's gymnastics team at Tokyo Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/24/max-whitlock-lead-gb-mens-gymnastics-team-tokyo-olympics |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=24 May 2021}} Canada,{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Kelsey |title=Canada's Ellie Black captures silver in all-around gymnastics final |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/gymnastics/ellie-black-world-gymnastics-championship-1.4344978 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC |date=6 October 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Anna Rose |title=Ellie Black: 'My main goal is to help my team' |url=https://www.insidegymnastics.com/news-features/ellie-black-my-main-goal-is-to-help-my-team/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Inside Gymnastics |date=27 February 2018}} France,{{cite news |title=Le Pennec Emerges From the Shadows |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/le-pennec-emerges-from-the-shadows |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Olympics.com |date=22 August 2004}} Italy,{{cite news |last1=Ciancio |first1=Antonella |title=Gymnast Vanessa Ferrari gears up for Beijing |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-gymnastics-ferrari/gymnast-vanessa-ferrari-gears-up-for-beijing-idUSCIA65138420080402 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=1 April 2008}}{{cite news |title=Italian Igor Cassina wins horizontal bar Olympic gold (with results) |url=http://en.people.cn/200408/24/eng20040824_154516.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=People's Daily |date=24 August 2004}} the Netherlands,{{cite news |last1=Trevelyan |first1=Mark |title=Gymnastics: Wevers switches tactics at last minute to beat Biles |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-agymnastics-w-beam/gymnastics-wevers-switches-tactics-at-last-minute-to-beat-biles-idUSKCN10Q1W6 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Reuters |date=15 August 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Gittings |first1=Paul |last2=Bowman |first2=Brooke |title=The most incredible sporting gamble? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/02/06/sport/gymnastics-olympics-zonderland-flying-dutchman/index.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=CNN |date=6 February 2013}} and South Korea{{cite news |last1=Kang |first1=Seung-woo |title=Korean gymnast rises from poverty |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2012/08/136_116847.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Korea Times |date=7 August 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Pugin |first1=Diane |title=After Crash Landing, American Gymnast Soars to Historic Gold |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-aug-19-sp-olygym19-story.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=19 August 2004}} have produced World and Olympic medalists and have started winning team medals at continental, World and Olympic competitions. Individual gymnasts from Croatia,{{cite news |title=Croatian Olympic medalist Filip Ude first ambassador of Međimurje as European Region of Sport |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatian-olympic-medalist-filip-ude-first-ambassador-of-medimurje-as-european-region-of-sport/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=CroatiaWeek |date=16 March 2021}} Greece,{{cite news |last1=Papadatos |first1=Markos |title=Eleftherios Petrounias wins gold: Greece's 'Lord of the Rings' |url=https://hellenicnews.com/eleftherios-petrounias-wins-gold-greeces-lord-rings/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Hellenic News |date=2 September 2016}} North Korea,{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Jean H. |title=North Korean Gymnast's Selfie Goes Viral, but Her Bio Is Sparse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/sports/olympics/north-korean-gymnasts-selfie-goes-viral-but-her-bio-is-sparse.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=11 August 2016}} Slovenia,{{cite news |last1=Košir |first1=Alenka Teran |title=Gimnastični mojster, ki ne čuti nobenih obžalovanj |url=https://siol.net/sportal/drugi-sporti/mitja-petkovsek-druga-kariera-523558 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=Siol.net |date=19 April 2020 |language=Slovenian}} Spain,{{cite news |last1=De la Torre |first1=Estela |title=Rayderley Zapata: 'The Uncertainty Makes Me More Nervous' |url=https://www.intlgymnast.com/news/rayderley-zapata-the-uncertainty-makes-me-more-nervous/ |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=International Gymnast |date=6 April 2020}} and Ireland{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=Olympics gymnatics: Rhys McClenaghan wins pommel horse gold in Paris |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/cxr2249p3xqo |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} have also been successful in major competitions.

Gymnastics sits on many lists of the world's most dangerous sports.{{Cite web|date=31 July 2020|title=Top 10 Most Dangerous Sports In The World|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-10-most-dangerous-sports-in-the-world.html|access-date=27 September 2021|website=WorldAtlas|language=en-US}} Artistic gymnastics carries an inherently high risk of spinal and other injuries,{{cite journal|last1=Sands|first1=William|year=2015|title=Stretching the Spines of Gymnasts: A Review|journal=Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)|volume=46|issue=3|pages=315–327|doi=10.1007/s40279-015-0424-6|pmc=4769315|pmid=26581832}}{{cite journal|last1=Kruse|first1=David|year=2009|title=Spine Injuries in the Sport of Gymnastics|url=http://www.sportmedicine.ru/articles/kruse-spine-injuries.pdf|journal=Current Sports Medicine Reports|volume=8|issue=1|pages=20–28|doi=10.1249/JSR.0b013e3181967ca6|pmid=19142076|s2cid=16481258|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226023809/http://www.sportmedicine.ru/articles/kruse-spine-injuries.pdf|archive-date=26 December 2010|url-status=live}} and in extremely rare cases, gymnasts have sustained fatal injuries.{{cite news|last1=Yan|first1=Holly|date=13 November 2019|title=Gymnastics deaths are rare, but previous disasters have prompted safety changes|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/13/sport/gymnastics-deaths-injuries-and-safety-measures/index.html|access-date=12 June 2021}} Julissa Gomez, an American gymnast, died in 1991{{cite news|date=9 August 1991|title=Gymnast dies three years after accident|work=UPI|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/08/09/Gymnast-dies-three-years-after-accident/4268681710400/|access-date=12 June 2021}} after breaking her neck while vaulting three years earlier.{{cite news|last1=Hudson|first1=Maryann|date=25 June 1988|title=The Unthinkable Happens : Gymnast Gomez, 15, in Coma After Suffering Broken Neck During Warmups|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-25-sp-5044-story.html|access-date=12 June 2021}} Several other gymnasts have been paralyzed from accidents in training or competition, including Elena Mukhina of the Soviet Union{{cite news|last1=Lorge|first1=Barry|date=14 July 1980|title=Mukhina Badly Hurt In Gym Fall|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/07/14/mukhina-badly-hurt-in-gym-fall/e0d4129e-2889-4b90-aadb-b949db5560e2/|access-date=12 June 2021}}{{cite news|last1=Zanca|first1=Salvatore|date=31 October 1987|title=Gymnastic Champions Take Different Paths Following Accidents|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/019bfdd3def9b6a5689d47cb8357edd5|access-date=12 June 2021}} and Sang Lan of China.{{cite news|last1=Longman|first1=Jeré|date=23 July 1998|title=Paralyzed Chinese Gymnast Is Unlikely to Walk Again|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/23/sports/goodwill-games-paralyzed-chinese-gymnast-is-unlikely-to-walk-again.html|access-date=12 June 2021}}{{cite news|date=10 August 2010|title=Paralyzed gymnast to sue 1998 Goodwill organizers|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gymnastics-china/paralyzed-gymnast-to-sue-1998-goodwill-organizers-idUSTRE6790EF20100810|access-date=12 June 2021}}

The pressure of the sport can make it even more dangerous to athletes. Coaches frequently put pressure on their gymnasts to perform well, which can hinder their visual attention, memory, and ability to focus on the task at hand, in turn negatively affecting performance. Moreover, this pressure often leads to extreme perfectionism in gymnasts, which is correlated with higher rates of anxiety disorders, including general anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).{{Cite journal |last=Pineda-Espejel |first=Antonio |last2=Trejo |first2=Marina |last3=Terán |first3=Lucía |last4=Cutti |first4=Lourdes |last5=Galarraga |first5=Edgar |date=2020-06-01 |title=PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANXIETY RESPONSES TO SOCIALLY PRESCRIBED PERFECTIONISM FOR GYMNASTIC COMPETITION: CASE STUDY |url=https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/11657/10492 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=147–161 |doi=10.52165/sgj.12.2.147-161 |issn=1855-7171}} During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles took a step back from competition to assess her mental health and ensure she was not putting herself at a greater risk of physical injury.{{Cite web|author=Analysis by Elle Reeve|title=Simone Biles and 'the twisties': How fear affects the mental health and physical safety of gymnasts|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/28/us/simone-biles-olympics-gymnastics-physical-mental-health/index.html|access-date=27 September 2021|website=CNN|date=28 July 2021 }} Other athletes have expressed their support and called for a greater emphasis on mental health in gymnastics.{{Cite web|title=Aly Raisman on Simone Biles: Olympians Need Mental Health Support|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/tokyo-olympics/aly-raisman-simone-biles-olympians-need-mental-health-support|access-date=27 September 2021|website=RSN|language=en}}

Eating disorders are also common, especially in women's gymnastics, in which gymnasts are motivated and sometimes pushed by coaches to maintain a below-normal body weight.{{cite web |title=Gymnasts at Higher Risk for Eating Disorders |url=https://www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com/addiction-recovery-blog/gymnasts-at-higher-risk-for-eating-disorders/ |website=Promises Behavioral Health |access-date=13 June 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Joan |title=Growing Pains |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/07/30/growing-pains/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=30 July 1992}}{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Ricki |title=Cathy Rigby Shares Her Nightmare of Bulimia, Anorexia |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-06-07-2627062-story.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The Morning Call |date=7 June 1988}} The problem gained public attention in the 1990s after the death of Christy Henrich, a U.S. national team member who suffered from anorexia and bulimia.{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Christine |title=A Life Fatally Out of Balance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/07/28/a-life-fatally-out-of-balance/a0ffd057-e3bd-4568-bfcc-38313d3a6a48/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=28 July 1994}}{{cite magazine |last1=Noden |first1=Merrell |title=Dying to Win |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/08/08/dying-to-win-for-many-women-athletes-the-toughest-foe-is-anorexia-gymnist-christy-henrich-lost-her-battle |access-date=13 June 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=8 August 1994}}

Abusive coaching and training practices in gymnastics gained widespread attention after Joan Ryan's book Little Girls in Pretty Boxes was published in 1995. USA Gymnastics began investigating several coaches in their program for abuse. In the late 2010s, many individual gymnasts—including former elite competitors from Australia,{{cite news |last1=Le Grand |first1=Chip |title=Cruel game: Former gymnasts open up on culture of fear and control |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/cruel-game-former-gymnasts-open-up-on-culture-of-fear-and-control-20210507-p57pt0.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=Brisbane Times |date=9 May 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Paul |last2=McCarthy |first2=Marty |title=Elite Australian gymnasts reveal claims of emotional and verbal abuse by some coaches following Human Rights Commission report |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-01/gymnasts-allegations-emotional-verbal-abuse-by-some-coaches/100163758 |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=31 May 2021}} Britain,{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |title=British Gymnastics head 'appalled and ashamed' at multiple abuse stories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/10/british-gymnastics-head-appalled-and-ashamed-at-multiple-abuse-stories |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=10 July 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |title=Team GB gymnast Amy Tinkler says trauma led to her retirement |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/14/gb-gymnast-amy-tinkler-reveals-trauma-led-to-her-retirement |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=14 July 2020}} and the United States{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=Olympic Gymnast Recalls Emotional Abuse 'So Twisted That I Thought It Couldn't Be Real' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/sports/maggie-haney-gymnastics-abuse.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=1 May 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Lauren |title=Texas Dreams and the Problem With 'Good' Gyms |url=https://thegymter.net/2020/08/13/texas-dreams-and-the-problem-with-good-gyms/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The Gymternet |date=13 August 2020}}—began to speak out about the abuse they had experienced.{{cite news |last1=Macur |first1=Juliet |title=Gymnasts Worldwide Push Back on Their Sport's Culture of Abuse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/sports/olympics/gymnastics-abuse-athlete-a.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=3 August 2020}} This followed several years of allegations of sexual abuse by gymnastics coaches and other authority figures, including the former U.S. team doctor Larry Nassar.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Tim |last2=Alesia |first2=Mark |last3=Kwiatkowski |first3=Marisa |title=Former USA Gymnastics doctor accused of abuse |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/09/12/former-usa-gymnastics-doctor-accused-abuse/89995734/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=Indianapolis Star |date=12 September 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Tim |last2=Alesia |first2=Mark |last3=Kwiatkowski |first3=Marisa |title=A 20-year toll: 368 gymnasts allege sexual exploitation |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/12/15/20-year-toll-368-gymnasts-allege-sexual-exploitation/95198724/ |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=Indianapolis Star |date=15 December 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Stelloh |first1=Tim |title=Olympic Gymnastics Coach Marvin Sharp Arrested on Suspicion of Child Molestation |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/olympic-gymnastics-coach-arrested-suspicion-child-molestation-n415146 |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=NBC News |date=24 August 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Waller |first1=Allyson |last2=Macur |first2=Juliet |title=Human Trafficking Charges and Coach's Death Reopen Gymnastics' Deep Wounds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/sports/john-geddert-gymnastics.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=25 February 2021}} In April 2020, Maggie Haney, former coach of Olympian Laurie Hernandez, was suspended for eight years following her allegations of verbal and emotional abuse toward her gymnasts.{{Cite web|author=Jason Hanna|title=USA Gymnastics suspends coach Maggie Haney for 8 years|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/30/us/usa-gymnastics-coach-maggie-haney-suspended-trnd/index.html|access-date=27 September 2021|website=CNN|date=30 April 2020 }}

During the 1996 Olympics, Kerri Strug injured her foot after her first vault. However, her vault was standing between Team USA and a gold medal. Strug performed her second vault, landing on one foot, and was carried off by her coach, crying in pain.{{Citation|title=Kerri Strug overcomes pain to win gold in 1996 Olympic Games|date=13 September 2017|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/video/kerri-strug-overcomes-pain-win-gold-1996-olympic-games|access-date=4 October 2021}} Strug's teammate, Dominique Moceanu also opened up about the abuse she experienced. She said that she competed in the Olympics with a tibial stress fracture. Additionally, she fell on her head during her beam routine and discussed how none of these injuries were properly treated.{{Cite web|others=Since 2011, Scott Stump is a New Jersey-based freelancer who has been a regular contributor for TODAY com, Stories Producing News, Trending Features Across the Culture, Pop, sports, parents, pets, health, style|title=Dominique Moceanu: Simone Biles' withdrawal shows 'abuse is no longer welcome in our sport'|url=https://www.today.com/news/dominique-moceanu-says-simone-biles-made-right-decision-t226797|access-date=4 October 2021|website=TODAY.com|date=29 July 2021 |language=en}} After being the coordinators for Team USA for nearly three decades in 2016, Bela and Marta Karolyi retired. After allegations that gymnasts were experiencing sexual abuse while training at the Karolyi ranch, it was officially closed in 2018.{{Cite web|last=Zaccardi|first=Nick|date=18 January 2018|title=USA Gymnastics closes Karolyi Ranch|url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/01/18/usa-gymnastics-karolyi-ranch-closed-larry-nassar/|access-date=4 October 2021|website=OlympicTalk {{!}} NBC Sports|language=en-US}}

Upon investigations of those working closely with Larry Nassar, John Geddert, head coach of the 2012 Women's Olympic Team, was suspended by USA Gymnastics for sexual assault, physical abuse, and human trafficking, and committed suicide shortly after being charged in February 2021.{{Cite news|last=Novkov|first=Julie|date=4 March 2021|title=John Geddert killed himself after being charged with abuse. Gymnastics' problems go beyond any one person.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/04/john-geddert-killed-himself-after-being-charged-with-abuse-gymnastics-problems-go-beyond-any-one-person/|access-date=27 September 2021}} The Federal Bureau of Investigation had heard allegations from gymnasts regarding their sexual abuse as early as 2015 but did not address them until years later when Nassar was sentenced to prison in 2017.{{Cite news|last=Macur|first=Juliet|date=15 September 2021|title=Biles and Her Teammates Rip the F.B.I. for Botching Nassar Abuse Case|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/sports/olympics/fbi-hearing-larry-nassar-biles-maroney.html|access-date=27 September 2021|issn=0362-4331}} At the time of Nassar's court hearing, more than 160 women had spoken up about the abuse they endured.{{Cite news|last1=Correa|first1=Carla|last2=Louttit|first2=Meghan|date=24 January 2018|title=More than 160 women say Larry Nassar sexually abused them. Here are his accusers in their own words.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/24/sports/larry-nassar-victims.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/24/sports/larry-nassar-victims.html|access-date=4 October 2021|issn=0362-4331}} In a Senate hearing from September 2021, the victims and their representatives claimed that Nassar had abused 120 more women from the time the FBI knew about his allegations until the time they took action against him.{{Cite news|last=Naylor|first=Brian|date=15 September 2021|title=Gymnasts Blast The FBI's Mishandling Of Their Allegations About Larry Nassar|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/15/1036968966/gymnasts-nassar-fbi-senate-hearing-simone-biles-aly-raisman-wray|access-date=1 October 2021}}

• Artistic gymnastics terms named after people
• International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
• List of current female artistic gymnasts
• List of notable artistic gymnasts
• List of Olympic medalists in gymnastics (men)
• List of Olympic medalists in gymnastics (women)

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{commons category-inline|Artistic gymnastics}}

{{Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus and Equipment}}

{{Artistic Gymnastics Medalists}}

{{Gymnastics}}

{{Summer Olympic sports}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Artistic Gymnastics}}

Category:Gymnastics disciplines

Category:Summer Olympic disciplines