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The art of rhythmic gymnastics:

Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, acrobatics and apparatus manipulation. To perform rhythmic gymnastics routines, the athlete must posses advanced degree of flexibility, strength, speed, musical sense, excellent coordination and body awareness. There are two opportunities in RG: individual and group (2 to 5 athletes) competition. In both cases athletes perform carefully choreographed routines with one (or 2, in some cases for groups) of five apparatus:

Ball	Rope	Hoop	Clubs	Ribbon

While performing hundreds of apparatus manipulations, such as throws and catches, rolls, rotations, passing through, etc, rhythmic gymnasts execute required number of body elements. These elements are divided into four groups: jumps/leaps, balances, pivots and "flexibilities". Over 400 possible elements of various degree of difficulty are listed in the Code of Points published by International Gymnastics Federation. The choice of music and then body and apparatus elements that perfectly fit the tune and gymnast's abilities is an essential part of this sport.

Rhythmic gymnastics as a sport began in the 1940s in the former Soviet Union. It was there that for the first time, the spirit of sports was combined with the sensuous art of classical ballet. To Isadora Duncan, we credit the famous rebellion against the dogma of classical ballet and the shift toward the creation of a new discipline that would blend art and sport.

The sport's governing body, the FIG (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique), recognized this discipline in 1961, first as modern gymnastics, then as rhythmic sportive gymnastics, and finally as rhythmic gymnastics. The first World Championships for individual gymnasts took place in 1963 in Budapest, Hungary. Groups were introduced at the same level in 1967 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Rhythmic gymnastics was added to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with an Individual All Around competition. However, many federations from the eastern european countries were forced to boycott. The Canadian Lori Fung was the first rhythmic gymnast to earn an Olympic gold medal.

The FIG changed the Code of Points in 2001, 2003 and 2005 to emphasize technical elements and reduce the subjectivity of judging. Before 2001, judging was on a scale of 10 like that of Artistic Gymnastics. It was changed to a 30-point scale in 2003 and in 2005 was changed to 20. There are three values adding up to be the final points - technical, artistic and execution.

International competitions are split between Juniors, girls under 16; and Seniors, for girls 16 and over. Gymnasts typically start training at a very young age and those at their peak are typically in their late teens or early twenties. The largest events in the sport are the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Grand-Prix Tournaments.

Rhythmic gymnastics is largely a sport for women and girls, but a growing number of men participate. The Japanese's version of Men's rhythmic gymnastics includes tumbling and is performed on a spring floor. Individuals compete in four types of apparatus: rope, stick, double rings and clubs. Groups do not use any apparatus. Japan hosted the first men's world championships in 2003, drawing teams from Canada, Korea, Malaysia, and the United States.