Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination, with roots in ancient Greek physical training and formalized as a modern Olympic sport in the 19th century.
Demanding an extraordinary combination of strength, flexibility, and precision timing, this sport has produced some of the Olympics' most breathtaking individual performances and enduringly memorable athletic moments.
Ancient Greek Origins
Gymnastics traces significant roots to ancient Greek physical training traditions, though the modern competitive sport developed its current form during the 19th century.
Diverse Competitive Disciplines
Modern gymnastics encompasses numerous distinct disciplines, including floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars, and vault, each requiring specialized skills and training.
A Marquee Olympic Event
Gymnastics has become one of the most closely watched events at the Summer Olympics, known for producing memorable individual performances and often crowning young, breakout stars.
Extraordinary Physical Demands
The sport places extraordinary physical demands on athletes, requiring exceptional strength, flexibility, and precise body control, typically beginning intensive training from a very young age.
