View source for Rhythmic gymnastics

{{Short description|Gymnastics discipline}}
{{Use dmy dates|cs1-dates=ly|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox sport
| image          = Brazil Group 2016 Olympics Test Event 1.jpg
| caption        = A group (Brazil) competes with two hoops and three pairs of clubs 
| union          = [[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique]]
| country/region = Worldwide
| contact        = No
| mgender        = No
| category       = Gymnastic sport that involves artistic movement
| olympic        = Since [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984]]
| IWGA           = [[2001 World Games|2001]]{{snds}}[[2021 World Games|2021]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Gymnastics-59 |title=Gymnastics &#124; iWGA |publisher=www.theworldgames.org |access-date=2019-07-29  |archive-date=2019-05-09  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509155940/https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Gymnastics-59 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|image_size=228|alt=Five gymnasts compete as a group with two hoops and three pairs of clubs}}

'''Rhythmic gymnastics''' is a sport in which gymnasts perform individually or in groups on a floor with an apparatus: [[hoop (rhythmic gymnastics)|hoop]], [[ball (rhythmic gymnastics)|ball]], [[Clubs (rhythmic gymnastics)|clubs]], [[ribbon (rhythmic gymnastics)|ribbon]] and [[rope (rhythmic gymnastics)|rope]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics - History |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pages/disciplines/rg-history.php |access-date=2019-12-24 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-date=2024-02-28  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228164546/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pages/disciplines/rg-history.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/gymnastics-rhythmic|title=Gymnastics Rhythmic – Summer Olympic Sport|date=2019-09-12|website=International Olympic Committee|language=en|access-date=2019-12-24}}</ref> The sport combines elements of [[gymnastics]], [[dance]] and [[calisthenics]]; gymnasts must be strong, flexible, agile, dexterous and coordinated. Rhythmic gymnastics is governed by the [[International Gymnastics Federation]] (FIG), which first recognized it as a sport in 1963.<ref name=":0" /> At the international level, rhythmic gymnastics is a women-only sport.

Rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic sport in 1984, when the individual all-around event was first competed, and the group competition was also added to the Olympics in 1996.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The most prestigious competitions, besides the Olympic Games, are the World Championships, World Games, European Championships, European Games, the World Cup Series and the Grand Prix Series. Gymnasts are judged on their artistry, execution of skills, and difficulty of skills, for which they gain points. They perform leaps, balances, and rotations (spins) along with handling the apparatus.<ref name=":1" />

==History==
[[File:Evgenia Kanaeva RUS Olympiasiegerin.JPG|thumb|upright|Two-time Olympic Champion [[Yevgeniya Kanayeva|Evgenia Kanaeva]] ([[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] and [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]])|alt=Kanaeva revolves a hoop around her bent elbow]]

Rhythmic gymnastics grew out of the ideas of [[Jean-Georges Noverre]] (1727–1810), [[François Delsarte]] (1811–1871), and [[Rudolf Bode]] (1881–1970), who all believed in movement expression, where one used to dance to express oneself and exercise various body parts. [[Pehr Henrik Ling|Peter Henry Ling]] further developed this idea in his 19th-century Swedish system of free exercise, which promoted "aesthetic gymnastics", in which students expressed their feelings and emotions through body movement.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Schmid |first=Andrea Bodó |title=Modern rhythmic gymnastics |date=1976 |publisher=Mayfield Pub. Co |isbn=978-0-87484-281-4 |edition=1st |location=Palo Alto, Calif}}</ref>

Swedish-style group gymnastics became increasingly popular for women from the mid-19th century through to the early 20th century. Although sports became associated with masculinity, group gymnastics were performed in indoor, private spaces and focused on correctly performing movements before an instructor, which fit societal ideals for women. Women's gymnastics also began to focus on qualities perceived as feminine, such as grace and expressiveness.<ref name=":14">{{Cite journal |last1=Johannes Cleophas |first1=Francois |last2=T. Visser |first2=Una |date=2024-02-28 |title=Roots, origins and development of rhythmic gymnastics: A historical insight |url=https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/13566 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=67–76 |doi=10.52165/sgj.16.1.67-76 |issn=1855-7171|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Ling's ideas were extended by [[Catharine Beecher]], who founded the Western Female Institute in [[Cincinnati]], Ohio, United States, in 1837. She developed a program where pupils exercised to music, moving from simple calisthenics that could be done in a classroom to more strenuous activities. While she promoted the exercises as being for all children, she emphasized that girls were especially lacking in exercise and that their health suffered for it.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Beecher |first=Catharine |title=Physiology and Calisthenics for Schools and Families |publisher=Harper and Brothers |year=1856 |location=New York}}</ref>

François Delsarte created a system of movement which was focused on creating expressive acting with natural poses, but it became a popular form of women's gymnastics for developing grace.<ref name=":5" /> In 1885, an American student of Delsarte, [[Genevieve Stebbins]], published her first book, ''The Delsarte System of Expression''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ruyter |first=Nancy Lee Chalfa |date=1988 |title=The Intellectual World of Genevieve Stebbins |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1567663 |journal=Dance Chronicle |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=381–397 |doi=10.1080/01472528708568987 |jstor=1567663 |issn=0147-2526|url-access=subscription }}</ref> She soon began to perform popular solo dances,<ref name=":39">{{Cite journal |last=Mullan |first=Kelly Jean |date=December 2020 |title=Forgotten "New" Dancer of New York City's Gilded Age: Genevieve Lee Stebbins and the Dance as Yet Undreamed |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0149767720000327/type/journal_article |journal=Dance Research Journal |language=en |volume=52 |issue=3 |pages=97–117 |doi=10.1017/S0149767720000327 |issn=0149-7677|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and she also went on to combine Delsarte's ideas with Ling's and develop her own gymnastics system.<ref name=":5" /> Dubbed "harmonic gymnastics", it encouraged late nineteenth-century American women to engage in physical culture and expression, in defiance of traditional gender norms. Stebbins provided the means, rationale, and model for exercise for middle-class women.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bordelon |first=Suzanne |date=2016-03-14 |title=Embodied Ethos and Rhetorical Accretion: Genevieve Stebbins and the Delsarte System of Expression |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02773945.2016.1141347 |journal=Rhetoric Society Quarterly |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=105–130 |doi=10.1080/02773945.2016.1141347 |issn=0277-3945 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=2022-06-30  |access-date=2025-05-17  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630135437/http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02773945.2016.1141347 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 1880s, [[Émile Jaques-Dalcroze]] of Switzerland developed [[eurhythmics]], a form of physical training for musicians and dancers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Émile Jaques-Dalcroze {{!}} Rhythm, Music Education, Eurhythmics |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emile-Jaques-Dalcroze |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> Robert Bode trained at the Dalcroze Eurythmic College and went on to found his own school.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Bott |first=Jenny |title=Modern rhythmic gymnastics |date=1981 |publisher=EP Publishing; Distributed by Sterling |isbn=978-0-7158-0772-9 |location=Wakefield, West Yorkshire : New York}}</ref> [[George Demeny]] of France created exercises to music that were designed to promote grace of movement, muscular flexibility, and good posture, and some exercises included apparatuses.<ref name=":0" />

The dancer [[Isadora Duncan]] was also significant in the development of rhythmic gymnastics.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":14" /> Influenced by Delsarte, Jaques-Dalcroze, and possibly by Stebbins,<ref name=":39" /> she developed her own theory of dance that departed from more rigid traditions like that of [[ballet]]. Her free dancing style incorporated running and jumping movements.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":14" /> 
[[File:Девушки из Общества телесного воспитания Богатырь выполняют гимнастические упражнения. 1911.jpg|thumb|Women gymnasts training with clubs in Russia in 1912|alt=Women kneeling in rows holding out clubs]]
In 1929, Hinrich Medau, who graduated from the Bode School, founded The Medau School in Berlin to train gymnasts in "modern gymnastics". He focused on using the entire body in movement and developed the use of apparatuses, particularly balls, hoops, and clubs.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Influenced by German teachers, several Finnish and Swedish gymnastics teachers, such as [[Elli Björkstén]], [[Elin Falk]], and {{Interlanguage link|Maja Carlquist|sv}}, began to develop their own system of gymnastics. They felt the Ling approach was too rigid and dull and sought freer styles of movements. Scandinavian gymnastics emphasized developing partner and group work and use of apparatuses, and many Scandinavian gymnastics groups toured abroad.<ref name=":5" />

[[File:Idlaflickorna.jpg|left|thumb|The "Idla Girls", a Swedish rhythmic gymnastics group, performing in 1958|alt=Five women skip with ropes]]

The teachings of Duncan, Jacques-Dalcroze, Delsarte, and Demeny were brought together at the Soviet Union's High School of Artistic Movement when it was founded in 1932, and soon thereafter, an early version of rhythmic gymnastics was established as a sport for girls. The first competition was held in 1939 in [[Leningrad]] on [[International Women's Day]]. Beginning in 1947, All-Soviet Union competitions were held yearly in various locations across the Soviet Union, and the sport began to spread to other countries in Europe.<ref name=":14" />

From 1928 through 1956, group events with apparatuses were sometimes performed as events in women's [[artistic gymnastics]], such as club performances at the [[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]].<ref name=":0" /> There were two team portable apparatus events at the [[Gymnastics at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's team portable apparatus|1952]] and [[Gymnastics at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's team portable apparatus|1956]] Olympics, which used similar apparatuses to modern rhythmic gymnastics, before it was decided that it should be a separate discipline.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=6 November 2020 |title=Once a tenet of Artistic competitions, Group Gymnastics found its niche in Rhythmic |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=299063 |access-date=2024-08-03 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> The portable apparatus events were only performed as a group and lasted between four and five minutes, much longer than a modern group routine. They were performed to music, and the rules did not specify the apparatuses used, only that each gymnast should have one and that they did not need to be all the same.<ref>{{Citation |last= |first= |title=Régles générales et règlements spéciaux aux sports |date=1951 |pages=199–207 |url=https://library.olympics.com/doc/SYRACUSE/35928 |access-date=2025-03-15 |place=Helsinki |publisher=Comité organisateur des XVes Jeux olympiques |language=French}}</ref>

The FIG formally recognized rhythmic gymnastics as its own discipline in 1962, first as '''modern gymnastics'''.<ref name=":0" /> Its name was changed to '''modern rhythmic gymnastics''', then again to '''rhythmic sportive gymnastics''', and finally to '''rhythmic gymnastics'''.<ref name=":5" />

The [[1963 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|first World Championships]] for individual rhythmic gymnasts was held in 1963 in [[Budapest]]. Groups were introduced at the same level in 1967 in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark.<ref name=":7" /> The FIG first requested that rhythmic gymnastics be added to the Olympics in 1972. It was painted as a more feminine counterpart to women's artistic gymnastics, where increasingly difficult tumbling led to a perceived masculinization of the sport. However, the [[International Olympic Committee]] initially refused the request.<ref name=":14" />

Rhythmic gymnastics debuted as an Olympic sport at the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] in [[Los Angeles]] with the individual all-around competition. However, many federations from the [[Eastern Bloc]] and countries were forced to [[1984 Summer Olympics boycott|boycott]] by the Soviet Union, in a way similar to the boycott forced on many nations by the United States of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. Canadian [[Lori Fung]] was the first rhythmic gymnast to earn an Olympic gold medal. The group competition was added to the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in Atlanta. The Spanish group won the first gold medal of the new competition with a group formed by [[Estela Giménez]], [[Marta Baldó]], [[Nuria Cabanillas]], [[Lorena Guréndez]], [[Estíbaliz Martínez]] and [[Tania Lamarca]].<ref name=":0" />

==The gymnast==
[[File:Medalistswaving-syd2000-600pxl.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.2|From left: [[Alina Kabaeva]] (bronze), [[Yulia Barsukova]] (gold) and [[Yulia Raskina]] (silver) at the [[2000 Sydney Olympics]]|alt=Kabaeva, Barsukova, and Raskin wave on the medal podium]]
International competitive rhythmic gymnastics is restricted to female participants. However, men's rhythmic gymnastics has a history in Japan as its own sport that was originally performed by both men and women.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Galofaro |first=Claire |date=2021-08-07 |title=Left out of Olympics, men's rhythmic gymnasts loved in Japan |url=https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-gymnastics-entertainment-sports-lifestyle-abeb9ae89ceccd0f95728c07846310e6 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803063605/https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-gymnastics-entertainment-sports-lifestyle-abeb9ae89ceccd0f95728c07846310e6 |url-status=live }}</ref> In France, men are allowed to participate in lower-level national competitions, while in Spain, there is a national rhythmic gymnastics championships for men and mixed-sex group competitions. A men's program has yet to be formally recognized by the FIG.<ref name=":21">{{Cite news |title=Rhythmic gymnastics: One man's fight for equality |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2022/0217/Rhythmic-gymnastics-One-man-s-fight-for-equality |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729 |archive-date=2024-08-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803063606/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2022/0217/Rhythmic-gymnastics-One-man-s-fight-for-equality |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peterson Ceus, le joyau magique de la gymnastique rythmique |url=https://tetu.com/2021/07/26/peterson-ceus-le-joyau-magique-de-la-gymnastique-rythmique/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=[[Têtu]] |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

Gymnasts start at a young age; it is considered an [[Early sports specialization|early specialization]] sport.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Sterkowicz-Przybycień |first=Katarzyna |date=October 2022 |title=A comparative analysis of scores and chronological age of participants in the 2017-2020 Olympic cycle individual Rhythmic Gymnastics Continental Championships |journal=Journal of Physical Education and Sport |volume=22 |issue=10 |doi=10.7752/jpes.2022.10315|doi-access=free }}</ref> They become age-eligible to compete in the Olympic Games and other major senior international competitions on January 1 of their 16th year.<ref name="reg" /> Rhythmic gymnasts have historically tended to peak at a slightly later age than artistic gymnasts.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Liz |date=2 July 2012 |title=London 2012: Julie Zetlin hopes to promote rhythmic gymnastics in the U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/london-2012-julie-zetlin-hopes-to-promote-rhythmic-gymnastics-in-the-us/2012/07/02/gJQA7bm7IW_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=2024-12-15  |access-date=2024-08-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215045434/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/london-2012-julie-zetlin-hopes-to-promote-rhythmic-gymnastics-in-the-us/2012/07/02/gJQA7bm7IW_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the late 90s and early 2000s, Olympic rhythmic gymnasts were on average a year older than Olympic artistic gymnasts, and gymnasts increasingly began to compete through their 20s.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last=Mazumdar |first=Christine |title=Sporting Performances: Politics in Play |date=6 August 2020 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=9780429560187 |editor-last=Walsh |editor-first=Shannon |chapter=Skirting the Ideal: Embodying hyperfemininity through rhythmic gymnastics’ evolutionary leotard and other aesthetic sports’ vested vestments}}</ref> The median age of gymnasts competing at the 2021 continental championships was in the late teens, with the [[African Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|African Championships]] and Oceania Championships skewing slightly younger, while the median ages of event finalists at the [[Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|European Championships]] and [[Pan American Gymnastics Championships|Pan American Championships]] were in the early 20s.<ref name=":8" />

[[File:La escultura de Ana Bautista, vista desde atrás.JPG|thumb|Sculpture of [[Ana Bautista]] by Fernando Garcíarramos in San Cristóbal de La Laguna|alt=Metal sculpture showing Bautista in a penché position]]Top rhythmic gymnasts must have good balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength,<ref name=":9" /> and they must possess psychological attributes such as the ability to compete under intense pressure and the discipline and work ethic to practice the same skills over and over again.

Currently a gymnast can perform in the individual event or in the group event. Since 1995, groups consist of five gymnasts. Originally six gymnasts composed a group, although around the 1980s eight gymnasts were permitted.

==Apparatus==
[[File:Spare rhythmic gymnastics equipment.jpg|left|thumb|Replacement apparatuses at the side of the floor|alt=A ribbon, folded rope, hoop, ball, and pair of clubs on the ground outside the gymnastics floor]]
The hoop, rope, and ball were the first official apparatuses, with the ribbon being added in 1971 and the clubs in 1973.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Bott |first=Jenny |title=Rhythmic gymnastics: The Skills of the Game |publisher=Crowood Press |year=1989 |isbn=978-1-85223-208-5 |location=Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire}}</ref> Historically, four out of the five possible apparatuses were selected by the FIG to be used by individual gymnasts each season. Each exercise takes place on a {{Convert|13|m|ft}} x {{Convert|13|m|ft}} floor. The floor is carpeted but has no springs, unlike the one used for [[Floor (gymnastics)|floor exercise]] in artistic gymnastics. Replacement apparatuses are placed on two sides of the floor and can be taken to continue the exercise if the gymnast's apparatus becomes unusable or is lost outside the floor area.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=6 February 2025 |title=Code of Points 2025-2028 |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20RG%20Code%20of%20Points%202025-2028.pdf |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |access-date=2024-08-01  |archive-date=2024-08-11  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811083057/https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20RG%20Code%20of%20Points%202025-2028.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

After 2011, rope began to be transitioned out of the sport, with the FIG saying that it was less visually appealing than the other apparatus.<ref name=":122">{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Hoop, Ball, Clubs, Ribbon and Rope: The making of the apparatus that make Rhythmic Gymnastics unique |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3088964 |access-date=2024-07-29 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> It was removed from the senior individual program, and the most recent usage of rope in the senior program was for the mixed apparatus group exercise in 2017.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=1 February 2018 |title=2017-2021 Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_RG%20CoP%202017-2020%20with%20Errata%20Dec.%2017.pdf |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727202321/https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_RG%20CoP%202017-2020%20with%20Errata%20Dec.%2017.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2021}}</ref> The FIG also planned to drop rope in junior-level individual competition, but it returned in 2015; it was then announced that rope would be used in junior individual competition in some years through at least the 2023–2024 season, but the 2022–2024 Code of Points dropped it again.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=25 April 2022 |title=2022–2024 Code of Points Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_2022-2024%20RG%20Code%20of%20Points%20(Mark-up).pdf |access-date=5 March 2024 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> It continues to be used for junior groups.<ref name=":4" />

Routines performed without any apparatus are known as freehand. Freehand was an event for the four first World Championships before being dropped, with the reasoning being that the freehand exercises tended to be too theatrical and include too many ballet elements.<ref name=":34">{{Cite magazine |last=Prchal |first=Mildred |date=Nov–Dec 1969 |volume=4 |number=2 |title=World's Gymnastique Moderne Championships |url=https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1969_5novdec |magazine=Mademoiselle Gymnast |pages=7–15 |access-date=2024-11-25  |archive-date=2023-02-28  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228124147/https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1969_5novdec |url-status=live }}</ref> It is now only used in local competitions, usually for the youngest levels.

[[File:Mónica Ferrández 1990 Goteborg.PNG|thumb|[[Mónica Ferrández]] with a rope|alt=Ferrández stands in a split with the rope held between her hands]]
Since 2011, senior individual gymnasts perform four different routines with hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. This is the case for individual juniors as well since 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2020 |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus Program |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pages/disciplines/RG_Apparatus_Programme.pdf |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |access-date=2024-11-13  |archive-date=2024-09-26  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926152710/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pages/disciplines/RG_Apparatus_Programme.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Senior groups perform two different routines, one with a single apparatus and one with mixed apparatus (for example, a routine with 5 hoops and a routine with 3 balls / 2 ribbons). Junior groups perform two different routines with two different types of apparatus (for example, a routine with 5 hoops and a routine with 5 ribbons). As of 2017, rhythmic gymnastics equipment used in FIG-sanctioned events must have the FIG logo on the apparatus.

;[[Rope (rhythmic gymnastics)|Rope]]: The rope is made from hemp or a similar synthetic material; it can be knotted and have anti-slip material at the ends, but it does not have handles. The fundamental requirements of a rope routine include leaping and skipping. In 2011, the [[International Federation of Gymnastics|FIG]] decided to eliminate the use of rope in senior individual rhythmic gymnastics competitions. It is still sometimes seen in junior group competition.

; [[Hoop (rhythmic gymnastics)|Hoop]]:The hoop comes up to about the gymnast's hip. It may be made of plastic or wood, and it may be covered with adhesive tape either of the same or different color as the hoop, which may be in decorative patterns. Fundamental requirements of a hoop routine include rotation of the hoop around the hand or body, rolling the hoop on the body or floor, and the gymnast passing through the hoop.
[[File:Margarita Mamun Universiade 2013.jpg|thumb|[[Margarita Mamun]] with a ball|alt=Mamun sits with the ball held between her head and raised knees]] 
; [[Ball (rhythmic gymnastics)|Ball]]: The ball may be made of rubber or a similar synthetic material, and it can be of any color. It should rest in the gymnast's hand and not be pressed against the wrist or grasped with the fingers, which incurs a penalty. Fundamental elements of a ball routine include bouncing or rolling the ball.

; [[Clubs (rhythmic gymnastics)|Clubs]]: The clubs may be made of wood or synthetic materials, and they are always used in a pair. They may be connected together by inserting the end of one club into the head of the other. The handles and bodies are typically wrapped with decorative tapes. Fundamental elements of a clubs routine including swinging the heads of the clubs in circles, small throws in which the clubs rotate in the air, and asymmetrical movements.
[[File:Viktoria Stadnik.jpg|thumb|[[Victoria Stadnik|Viktoria Stadnik]] with a ribbon|alt=Stadnik stands in a split and twirls the ribbon]]
; [[Ribbon (rhythmic gymnastics)|Ribbon]]:The ribbon consists of a handle, which may be made of wood, bamboo, or synthetic materials such as fiberglass, and the ribbon itself, which is made of satin. The ribbon is six meters long, and due to its length, it can easily become tangled or knotted; knots must be undone or the gymnast will be penalized. Fundamental elements of a ribbon routine consist of making continuous shapes with the length of the fabric, such as tight circles (spirals) or waves (snakes), and elements called boomerangs, in which the gymnast tosses the handle, then pulls it back by the end of the ribbon and catches it.

== Elements ==
Elements in rhythmic gymnastics have assigned difficulty values that contribute to the overall difficulty score. They are generally divided into two types: body and apparatus difficulties. New difficulties may be submitted to the technical committee by coaches.<ref name=":4" />

=== Body difficulties ===
Body difficulties are elements performed using the body, with each one having a defined shape. The apparatus must continue to be used during a body difficulty, and gymnasts must perform at least one of each type and generally should not repeat the exact same element during one exercise. The types of body difficulties are:
* Jumps/Leaps: Jumps must be high enough to show a well-defined shape in the air. The same leap may be repeated in a series.
* Balances: A balance must be held for at least one second. They can be performed alone or in a dynamic balance, in which the gymnast performs at least three balances in combination on the same foot with a turn between each balance.
* Rotations: Rotations are turns generally performed either on a flat foot or on [[Relevé (dance)|relevé]], but they can also be performed on other parts of the body.
* For groups: Exchanges, which are an element where all five gymnasts perform a high, long throw of their apparatus to another gymnast and then catch an apparatus thrown by another gymnast. This can be done simultaneously by the whole group, or one sub-group may perform an exchange before the rest of the gymnasts do so.
In addition, gymnasts may perform full body waves, which are a wave of movement through the whole body from the head through the feet or vice versa. Individuals may also perform up to four dynamic elements with rotation, which are commonly known as risks. During a risk, the gymnast throws the apparatus high into the air and rotates at least twice underneath it, using either a series of turning leaps or a combination of rolls, turns on the feet, or pre-acrobatic elements such as [[Cartwheel (gymnastics)|cartwheels]] or walkovers, before catching the apparatus. Groups may elect to perform a single risk.<gallery>
File:2018-10-16 Gymnastics at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics – Rhythmic Gymnastics - Ribbon final (Martin Rulsch) 182.jpg|Butterfly jump ([[Khrystyna Pohranychna]])
File:Nicol Ruprecht 2016 Olympics Test Event 4.jpg|Split leap ([[Nicol Ruprecht]])
File:Ekaterina Volkova 2016 Olympics Test Event 1.jpg|Chest balance ([[Ekaterina Volkova (rhythmic gymnast)|Ekaterina Volkova]])
File:Laura Jung Rhythmische Gymnastin GER.JPG|Side split balance ([[Laura Jung]])
File:Conjunto español 2012 Londres 04.png|Rotation in [[penché]] position (Spanish group)
File:Boryana Kaleyn 2024 Sofia World Cup Ribbon QF 2.jpg|Rotation done as [[Fouette|fouetté]] turns ([[Boryana Kaleyn]])
File:Rhythmic gymnastics at the 2017 Summer Universiade (36386761514).jpg|Simultaneous exchange (Japanese group)
File:Stiliana Nikolova 2024 Sofia World Cup risk.webm|A risk performed with several rolls ([[Stiliana Nikolova]])
</gallery>

=== Apparatus difficulties ===
[[File:Italy 2024 Sofia World Cup 5 Hoops Final 5.jpg|thumb|A collaboration by the Italian group|alt=One gymnast stands in a back split with several hoops while four others perform]]
[[File:Uzbekistan Rhythmic Gymnastics Group 2020 Olympics 5 Balls 3.jpg|thumb|A collaboration with a lift by the Uzbekistani group|alt=Three gymnasts lift a fourth]]
Apparatus difficulties are elements performed with the apparatus. Each apparatus difficulty has either one base element and two or more criteria executed during that base, or the base element of a catch from a high throw combined with a second base element and one or more criteria executed during both bases. A base is a basic movement or usage of the apparatus, such as a large roll of the hoop, and a criterion is a way of performing a movement which makes it more difficult, such as performing it outside of the visual field or without using the hands. The base elements differ somewhat by apparatus, with some bases (such as a high throw) being valid for all apparatuses and others being particular to one apparatus (such as creating a spiral pattern with the ribbon fabric).

For groups, apparatus difficulties include collaborations between all five gymnasts, in which each gymnast works with one or more apparatuses and one or more partners. These can include multiple apparatuses being thrown at once or gymnasts lifting another gymnast.

=== Dance steps ===
Another required element is the dance steps combination, which must last for at least eight seconds, have a defined character that matches the music, and be performed without high throws of the apparatus, any apparatus difficulties, or pre-acrobatic elements. Two sets of dance steps are required for each exercise. Unlike the body and apparatus difficulties, they are evaluated as part of the artistry score rather than the difficulty score.

==Scoring system and competition format==
In rhythmic gymnastics, competitive exercises are evaluated by the scoring system defined in the FIG Code of Points. After each Olympic games, the code is modified.

=== Competition format ===
Generally, rhythmic gymnastic meets are generally divided into qualifying rounds and event finals. At some competitions, there is also an all-around final for individuals. The Olympics has qualifying rounds and all-around finals for both individuals and groups, but there are no event finals.

In the qualifying round, individual gymnasts compete up to four routines, one for each apparatus; at some competitions, gymnasts may elect to compete only three routines and still qualify for the individual all-around final. Group gymnasts compete two routines, one in which there are five of the same apparatus (such as five balls) and one in which there are two of one apparatus  and three of another (such as two hoops and three ribbons). These apparatuses are determined by the FIG for each season. In the all-around, individual gymnasts alternate between competing hoop and ball and then clubs and ribbon, while the groups all perform either their single-apparatus or mixed-apparatus routines during the same competition group.

The qualifying round determines who advances to the event final for each apparatus for individuals and for either apparatus combination for groups. There is a maximum of two qualifiers per country for each individual event final. For groups, their total score in the qualifying round determines their all-around placement. This is also the case for individuals at some competitions, while at others, there is a separate all-around final round where the top qualifying gymnasts (maximum two per country) compete four routines. The all-around score is the sum of the scores of all routines performed in that round of competition.

At some competitions, there is also a team ranking for federations with at least two individuals and a group entered. The team score is the sum of the eight qualifying round scores (two per apparatus) earned by the individual gymnasts and the qualifying round all-around score earned by the group.<ref name="reg" />

===Code of Points===
In the current Code of Points (2025–2028), the final score of a routine is the sum of the '''difficulty''', '''execution''', and '''artistry''' scores, minus any additional penalties incurred.<ref name=":4" /> The difficulty score is open-ended with no maximum, while the execution and artistry scores have a starting value of 10 points and are lowered for specific mistakes made by the gymnasts.

==== Difficulty ====
The difficulty score is the sum of the value of the difficulty assigned to each element in the gymnast's routine. The score is evaluated during the routine without a predetermined difficulty sheet, unlike with some earlier Codes. It is made up of two component scores: one for body difficulties and one for apparatus difficulties.

==== Execution ====
Execution is the degree to which the gymnast performs an element with aesthetic and technical perfection. Execution penalties are subtracted from the starting score of 10 and range in size from 0.10 points for a small fault, such as poor amplitude in a body wave or a small deviation from the desired shape of a leap, to 1.00 points, such as for dropping or losing the apparatus outside the floor area. Execution deductions include poor body form during an element, poor technique using an apparatus like squeezing the ball, loss of balance, not holding a balance element for long enough, hopping during a rotation element, needing to take steps to catch a thrown apparatus, or losing or dropping the apparatus.

==== Artistry ====
Artistry evaluates the artistic performance of the gymnast and the composition of the exercise with the music. As with execution, penalties are defined by the code and subtracted from the starting score of 10. The ideal is for the gymnast to perform with continuous character using a variety of movements that reflect changes in the music and are connected smoothly together. Deductions range from 0.30 to 1.00 for penalties that are taken once, which include deductions for a lack of dynamic change or use of effect in the exercise, a lack of facial expression, not ending in time with the music, missing a complete dance step combination, or not using the entire floor area. Deductions for poor connections between elements and poor connection to the music (such as a musical accent not being emphasized by the gymnast's movements) are 0.10 points each and can be taken up to 20 times in one exercise.

==== Penalties ====
Finally, penalties are taken by the time, line, and responsible judges. Possible penalties include:

* The gymnast leaving the floor area
* The apparatus leaving the floor area
* The exercise being longer or shorter than the acceptable length of time (1'15" to 1'30" is the required length for individual routines, and 2'15" to 2'30" is the required length for group routines)
* Dress of the gymnast not conforming to the regulations
* Communication with the coach during the execution of the exercise
* Verbal communication between group gymnasts during the exercise
* Grabbing a new apparatus from the side of the floor if the first apparatus is still on the floor area.

===Evolution of the Code of Points===
Rhythmic gymnastics has been through a number of different Codes of Points, beginning with the publication of the first in 1970. The first two codes were valid from 1970 to 1971 and 1971–1972; beginning with the 1973–1976 code, the Code of Points is adjusted after each Olympics, although smaller changes are also made during each Olympic cycle. As with [[artistic gymnastics]], scores originally had a maximum of 10.<ref name=":12" />

The first few years of rhythmic gymnastics competition did not yet have a code of points. A commission was formed to write the rules of the new sport in 1968, and they released the first code in 1970.<ref name=":5" /> In the decades of the 60s and 70s, scoring emphasized the artistic side, with little emphasis on difficulty.

In the 1973–1976 code, for individuals, difficulty accounted for five points of the score. Elements were divided into 'medium' and 'superior' difficulty, and gymnasts were required to include two superior difficulty and six medium difficulty elements, at least three of which had to be performed with the left hand.<ref name=":5" /> For example, a body wave on two feet or a single split leap was of medium difficulty, while a body wave on one foot or a series of two leaps in a row was of superior difficulty.<ref name=":6" /> The remaining five points were made up of originality, relation to the music, execution, and general impression. For groups, scores were out of a maximum of 20, with five points each given for the composition, technical value, execution, and general harmony.<ref name=":5" />

In the 1980s, new difficulty elements were introduced to give greater prominence to flexibility and risk releases, and to encourage originality. In the early 1980s, the scoring remained similar, though technical value of the routine was added as part of the marking for the individual score.<ref name=":6" /> In 1985, the score was composed of Composition (Technical + Artistry) and Execution, each of which was scored out of 5 points.<ref name=":12" /> 

Risk elements were introduced in the 1989–1992 code, and the required difficulties were changed to four superior and four medium.<ref name=":12" /> With increased difficulty requirements and new bonuses for originality, the new code was meant to address criticisms of score inflation. This criticism came after the all-around competition at the [[1988 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|1988 European Championships]] ended in a three-way tie for first place, all three gymnasts having been given perfect scores of 10.0 for all their routines, and [[Marina Lobatch]] won the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] with all eight of her routines being given scores of 10.0.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schmid |first=Andrea |date=March 1989 |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics: The New Code of Points For Individual Exercises |url=https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1989_1janmar |access-date=2025-05-17 |magazine=Technique Magazine |pages=14–15 |volume=9 |issue=1 |archive-date=2025-05-22  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522143804/https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1989_1janmar |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1993–1996 code increased the required number of body difficulties to 12 and divided them into four categories of difficulty rather than two.<ref name=":12" />

In 1997, the Code of Points was significantly changed by dividing the score into Artistry (out of 5 points for individual or 6 points for groups), Technical (out of 5 points for individuals or 4 points for groups) and Execution (out of 10 points), with the perfect score being 10 points for individuals and 20 points for groups.

In the late 90s, there was an appearance of gymnasts whose routines included demonstrating extreme flexibility ([[Yana Batyrshina|Yana Batyrchina]] or [[Alina Kabaeva]] for example). In the 1997–2001 code, the allowed body difficulties increased to twelve, and the number of flexibility-related difficulties in the code more than doubled from 11 to 24. The 2001–2005 code focused on extreme flexibility at the expense of apparatus handling and artistry. Scores had a maximum of thirty points, divided into three categories with a maximum of ten points each: execution, artistic, and difficulty. In 2005–2008 code, the number of body difficulties increased again to 18, and they were more finely graded in difficulty rating. The score still included the same three categories, but it was now out of 20 points, as artistry and difficulty were averaged and then added to execution.<ref name=":12" />

In 2009, the code changed significantly due to the perception that artistry had been lost with the focus on difficulty. As under the 2001–2005 code, the final mark was obtained by adding difficulty (body difficulties, again reduced to twelve, masteries performed with the apparatus, and risk elements), artistry and execution; each had a maximum value of 10 points, so the final score would be a maximum of 30 points. The artistry score was given its own evaluation form and guidelines with specific deductions.<ref name=":12" />

In 2013, the code dropped the artistic score again, and artistry was instead evaluated as part of execution. The maximum number of body difficulties was reduced once more to nine, and the dance steps combination was introduced as its own element.<ref name=":12" /> The 2017 code was very similar, with difficulty strictly limited and differences among the best gymnasts heavily determined by the execution. Therefore, in 2018, the difficulty score became open-ended for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koven |first=Kent |date=2018-09-13 |title=High scores, history all part of the routine for Laura Zeng at Rhythmic Worlds |url=https://usagym.org/high-scores-history-all-part-of-the-routine-for-laura-zeng-at-rhythmic-worlds/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=[[USA Gymnastics]]}}</ref>

In the 2022–2024 code, the artistry score was once again re-introduced. The 2025–2028 code reduced the maximum number of difficulties counted in the exercise to give more room for artistic expression and transitions between elements. Some body difficulties were removed and others merged to encourage variety and discourage injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vivaldi |first=Beatrice |date=2024-06-24 |title=Alla scoperta del codice dei punteggi 2025-2028 con Samuel RG |trans-title=Discover the code of points 2025-2028 with Samuel RG |url=https://www.blablagym.com/alla-scoperta-delle-novita-del-codice-2025-2028-con-samuel-rg/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=BlaBlaGym |language=it-IT}}</ref>

=== Judging issues ===
Judging rhythmic gymnastics in real time is a difficult task.<ref name=":33">{{Cite journal |last1=Flessas |first1=Konstantinos |last2=Mylonas |first2=Dimitris |last3=Panagiotaropoulou |first3=Georgia |last4=Tsopani |first4=Despina |last5=Korda |first5=Alexandrea |last6=Siettos |first6=Constantinos |last7=Di Cagno |first7=Alessandra |last8=Evdokimidis |first8=Ioannis |last9=Smyrnis |first9=Nikolaos |date=March 2015 |title=Judging the Judges' Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2015/03000/Judging_the_Judges__Performance_in_Rhythmic.23.aspx |journal=Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise |language=en-US |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=640 |doi=10.1249/MSS.0000000000000425 |issn=0195-9131|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In addition, judges may be affected by fatigue at long competitions or by high temperatures in competition rounds where ribbon routines are being performed; air conditioning is typically turned off during those rounds because it can cause drafts that interfere with the ribbon's movement. At the [[2023 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships|2023 World Championships]], held in [[Valencia]], Spain, the arena reached {{Convert|35|C|F}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gunston |first=Jo |date=19 October 2023 |title=Judging the judges – how statistical analysis evaluates fairness and accuracy in gymnastics scoring |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/how-statistical-analysis-evaluates-fairness-accuracy-gymnastics |website=Olympics.com |access-date=2024-11-14  |archive-date=2024-08-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816044723/https://olympics.com/en/news/how-statistical-analysis-evaluates-fairness-accuracy-gymnastics |url-status=live }}</ref>

Group judging is especially difficult, as five gymnasts and five apparatuses are in constant, complex motion over a large area. A 2015 study comparing novice, national-level, and international-level judges when judging two group routines found that although the international-level judges performed the best at correctly identifying errors, they only recorded about 40% of errors when they evaluated a routine using normal judging procedures. They made more mistakes when judging the mixed apparatus routine compared to the single-apparatus routine.<ref name=":33" />

As in other judged sports, national bias is also an issue. A study performed in 2023 using the FIG's judging evaluation statistics found that there was significant national bias in [[Aerobic gymnastics|aerobic]], artistic, and rhythmic gymnastics judging. The FIG uses the judging evaluation statistics to provide feedback to judges and guide judging assignments and changes in judging procedures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Heiniger |first1=Sandro |last2=Mercier |first2=Hugues |date=2021-12-01 |title=Judging the judges: evaluating the accuracy and national bias of international gymnastics judges |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jqas-2019-0113/html?lang=en |journal=Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=289–305 |doi=10.1515/jqas-2019-0113 |issn=1559-0410|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Judges can be sanctioned if they are found to be giving biased scores; for example, after the scoring at the [[2015 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships|2015 World Championships]] was reviewed, one judge was suspended and another was given a warning, both for national bias.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Liam |date=15 March 2016 |title=Azerbaijani judge suspended for biased scoring at 2015 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1035401/azerbaijani-judge-suspended-for-biased-scoring-at-2015-rhythmic-gymnastics-world-championships |website=[[Inside the Games]]}}</ref>

== Attire and music ==

=== Attire ===
Gymnasts wear leotards to compete, which may be decorated to match the routine as long as they do not have excessive amounts of flesh-colored fabric; group gymnasts must wear identical leotards.<ref name=":4" /> Modern leotards are typically highly decorated and may contain hand-painted details and large numbers of crystals, which can make them very expensive, and gymnasts at high levels typically wear different leotards to compete with different apparatuses.<ref name=":10" /> According to the chief designer of [[Sasaki Sports]], custom leotard orders can take 3 to 5 months to complete.<ref name=":112">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-01-07 |title=挑戦者たち（４）演技に彩り デザイン進化 |trans-title=Challengers (4) Embellishing Performances and Evolving Design |url=http://www.asahi.com/area/tokyo/articles/MTW20190107131650006.html |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=[[Asahi Shimbun]] |language=ja}}</ref> Gymnasts may choose to wear long tights under their leotard, wear a leotard with long legs (a [[unitard]]) as long as the legs are the same length and color, or wear a short skirt (no longer than the pelvis) over or attached to their leotard or unitard. They may not wear other accessories such as gloves that are not attached to the leotard, except for optionally wearing rhythmic toe shoes.<ref name=":4" />
[[File:Punteras.jpg|thumb|Rhythmic gymnastic toe shoes|alt=Refer to caption]]
Rhythmic gymnasts wear special slippers that cover their toes but not heels to reduce friction for rotations. Depending on the surface a gymnast is practicing on, they may be worn through in a week or two.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galofaro |first=Claire |date=2021-08-05 |title=Long dominated by Russia, rhythmic gymnastics rising in US |url=https://apnews.com/article/olympics-rhythmic-gymnastics-America-Russia-6d3773f96dc8c303191b5f502d9b78b2 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-04  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804060658/https://apnews.com/article/olympics-rhythmic-gymnastics-america-russia-6d3773f96dc8c303191b5f502d9b78b2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Conjunto español 1995 Viena 05.PNG|thumb|Gymnasts in unitards (Spanish group in 1995)|alt=Refer to caption]]
Leotards were originally simple, with decorations such as flowers or sequins not allowed.<ref name=":12" /> The 1989–1992 code specified that geometric and flower designs were allowed, but designs such as those that mimicked other clothing like vests or things like animals were not.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schmid |first=Andrea |date=March 1989 |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1989_1janmar |access-date=2025-05-26 |magazine=Technique |page=16 |volume=9 |issue=1}}</ref> Tights could be worn starting in 1993.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Toledo |first1=Eliana de |last2=Antualpa |first2=Kizzy |date=March 2016 |title=The appreciation of artistic aspects of the Code of Points in rhythmic gymnastics: an analysis of the last three decades |url=https://www.scielo.br/j/rbefe/a/gKRkHBNfFrKBspvywQnf34d |journal=Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte |language=en |volume=30 |pages=119–131 |doi=10.1590/1807-55092016000100119 |issn=1807-5509|hdl=20.500.12733/1147 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Unitards were also introduced as an option.<ref name=":10" /> Beginning in 1997, requirements loosened, and gymnasts were allowed to decorate their leotards with sequins and metallic colors.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":12" /> Unitards were popular through the late 90s but became less common afterward.<ref name=":10" />

Skirted leotards were introduced in the 2001–2004 code of points. Former gymnast Michelle Smith suggested that they might help older athletes feel more confident at a time when it was becoming more common for gymnasts to continue competing into their 20s.<ref name=":10" />

=== Music ===
Gymnasts may use music from any style, and the routine should be choreographed to the specific music chosen. The code of points says that music should be selected with respect to personal qualities of the gymnast, such as age. A penalty may be applied for musical choices that violate the ethical norms of rhythmic gymnastics, and sounds not typically used in music, such as sirens, are forbidden. Individual routines range from one minute and fifteen seconds to one minute and thirty seconds, while group routines may be from two minutes and fifteen seconds to two minutes and thirty seconds.<ref name=":4" />

Gymnasts originally performed to music using a single instrument, which could be either live accompaniment (typically a piano) or taped music.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":34" /> Under the 1989–1992 code, groups were allowed to use music played on multiple instruments.<ref name=":11" /> This change came into effect for individual routines as well at the end of 1989.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 1990 |title=Announcement |url=https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1990_1janmar |access-date=2025-05-26 |magazine=U.S. Gymnastics Technique |page=33 |volume=10 |issue=1 |archive-date=2023-03-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303083412/https://issuu.com/usagymnastics/docs/1990_1janmar |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1993–1996 code also emphasized that gymnasts should interpret and move with the music and that it should not be background noise to the routine. Beginning in 2013, gymnasts could use music with lyrics, but only for one routine.<ref name=":12" /> Under the 2017–2021 code of points, individuals could use lyrics with music for two routines.<ref name=":3" /> The restriction on music with lyrics was dropped from the 2022–2024 code of points.<ref name=":2" />

==Major competitions==
According to the technical regulations defined by the [[International Gymnastics Federation]], the only official competitions in which rhythmic gymnastics events are contested globally are: the [[World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]; the stages of the [[Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup|World Cup series]] (including the defunct [[FIG World Cup Final|World Cup Final]]); the [[Gymnastics at the World Games|World Games]]; and the [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] (as well as the [[Gymnastics at the Youth Olympic Games|Youth Olympic Games]]).<ref name="reg">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Technical Regulations 2024 |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20Technical%20Regulations%202024.pdf |access-date=2018-04-22 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> Test events for the Olympic Games were held in 2000, 2004, 2008, [[2012 Gymnastics Olympic Test Event|2012]] and [[2016 Gymnastics Olympic Test Event|2016]], and these were also officially organized by the FIG.<ref>[http://www.gymmedia.de/AG/events2000/preolympic/rsg_results.htm 2000 Sydney Olympics Test Event] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728074858/https://www.gymmedia.de/AG/events2000/preolympic/rsg_results.htm |date=2021-07-28  }}. ''GYMmedia.com''.</ref><ref>[http://www.gymmedia.com/artistic-gymnastics/Olympic-Test-Events-finished-Rhythmic-Gymnastics-2nd-final-day 2004 Athens Olympics Test Event] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730011836/https://www.gymmedia.com/artistic-gymnastics/Olympic-Test-Events-finished-Rhythmic-Gymnastics-2nd-final-day |date=2021-07-30  }}. ''GYMmedia.com''.</ref><ref>[http://www.gymmedia.com/rhythmic-gymnastics/Good-Luck-Invitational-2007-Rhythmic-Gymnastics 2008 Athens Olympics Test Event] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016095230/http://www.gymmedia.com/rhythmic-gymnastics/Good-Luck-Invitational-2007-Rhythmic-Gymnastics |date=2020-10-16  }}. ''GYMmedia.com''.</ref> Since 2019, the [[Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior World Championships|Junior World Championships]] are held every two years.<ref name="reg" />

The nations which have earned at least one medal in official FIG competitions are:

{{div col|colwidth=14em}}
* {{ARG}}<ref name=rg15>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/results.php?idEvent=16803|title=World Challenge Cup 2022 Pamplona Results |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref>
* {{AUT}}<ref name=rg13>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gymmedia.com/Rhythmic-Gymnastics/Pre-Olympic-Testevent-Rhythmic-Gymnastics|title=Pre-Olympic Testevent: Rhythmic Gymnastics|website=GYMmedia.com|access-date=2020-10-15 |archive-date=2021-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730012813/https://www.gymmedia.com/Rhythmic-Gymnastics/Pre-Olympic-Testevent-Rhythmic-Gymnastics|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{AZE}}<ref name=rg1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-minsk-results-2013-epr45121.html |title=Gymnastics – World Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics – Minsk 2013 – Results|website=The-sports.org}}</ref>
* {{BLR}}<ref name=rg1/>
* {{BRA}}<ref name=rg17>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/results.php?idEvent=16837|title=World Cup Sofia 2023 Results|publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]|access-date=2024-08-06 |archive-date=2024-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806022440/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/results.php?idEvent=16837|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{BUL}}<ref name=rg1/>
* {{CAN}}<ref name=rg3>{{Cite web|url=http://sports123.com/rgy/wc-rb.html|title=Sports 123: Rhythmic Gymnastics: World Cup: Ribbon|date=November 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104051325/http://sports123.com/rgy/wc-rb.html|archive-date=2011-11-04}}</ref>
* {{CHN}}<ref name=rg4>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-lisboa-results-2013-epr45124.html|title=Gymnastics – World Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics – Lisboa 2013 – Results|website=The-sports.org|access-date=2019-07-27 |archive-date=2022-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083344/https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-lisboa-results-2013-epr45124.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{CYP}}<ref name=rg18>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/asset.php?id=fidb_16107 |title=World Cup Athens 2024 Results |format=PDF |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref>
* ''{{TCH}}''<ref name=wch1>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gymn-forum.net/Results/RSG/Worlds/1977-ef.html|title=Gymn Forum: 1977 RSG World Championships, EF|website=Gymn-forum.net|access-date=2017-01-08 |archive-date=2017-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204160657/http://www.gymn-forum.net/Results/RSG/Worlds/1977-ef.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''{{GDR}}''<ref name=wch2>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gymn-forum.net/Results/RSG/Worlds/1985-ef.html|title=Gymn Forum: 1985 RSG World Championships, EF|website=Gymn-forum.net}}</ref>
* {{EGY}}<ref name=yog>{{Cite web |url=http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/docroot/results/INF__GRW400100C73B_____________________00001000_PENG20100825185350000.pdf |title=Group All-Around Final |date=25 Aug 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601150059/http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/docroot/results/INF__GRW400100C73B_____________________00001000_PENG20100825185350000.pdf |archive-date=2012-06-01}}</ref>
* {{EST}}<ref name=rg11>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/results.php?idEvent=14963|title=World Cup Tashkent 2018 Results|publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]|access-date=2024-08-06 |archive-date=2024-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806022402/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/events/results.php?idEvent=14963|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{FIN}}<ref name=rg5>{{Cite web|url=http://sports123.com/rgy/wc-g5r.html|title=Sports 123: Rhythmic Gymnastics: World Cup: Groups 5 Ribbons |date=November 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104044153/http://sports123.com/rgy/wc-g5r.html|archive-date=2011-11-04}}</ref>
* {{FRA}}<ref name=rg6>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-st-petersburg-results-2013-epr45125.html|title=Gymnastics – World Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics – St. Petersburg 2013 – Results|website=The-sports.org|access-date=2019-07-27 |archive-date=2022-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319083345/https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-st-petersburg-results-2013-epr45125.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{GEO}}<ref name=rg7>{{Cite web|url=https://database.fig-gymnastics.com/public/results/display/14347?backUrl=&idAgeCategory=6&idCategory=74&idFederation=|title=Results for Berlin Master 2016. Cat. B|website=database.fig-gymnastics.com|access-date=2017-01-07 |archive-date=2021-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029172313/https://database.fig-gymnastics.com/public/results/display/14347?backUrl=&idAgeCategory=6&idCategory=74&idFederation=|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{GER}}<ref name=rg2>{{Cite web|url=http://rsg.net/cgi-bin/show?events/1999/dtb_bochum_99_g.html|title=11. DTB-Pokal / World Cup in Bochum, Germany (28.-29. August 1999)|website=Rsg.net|access-date=2016-12-05 |archive-date=2017-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204160238/http://rsg.net/cgi-bin/show?events/1999/dtb_bochum_99_g.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{GRE}}<ref name=npr>{{Cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/results/gymnastics-rhythmic|title=Sydney 2000 Gymnastics Rhythmic results|website=Olympics.com|access-date=2024-08-06 |archive-date=2024-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001105844/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/results/gymnastics-rhythmic|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{HUN}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2023 |title=Darja Varfolomeev takes Hoop and Ball gold as Rhythmic World Championships begin in Spain |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3951580 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-date=2025-01-24  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124231414/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3951580 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{ISR}}<ref name=rg1/>
* {{ITA}}<ref name=rg1/>
* {{JPN}}<ref name=rg2/>
* {{KAZ}}<ref name=rg8>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-tachkent-presentation-medal-winners-sup4332.html|title=Gymnastics - World Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics - Tachkent - Prize list|website=The-sports.org|access-date=2019-07-27 |archive-date=2021-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029172313/https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-tachkent-presentation-medal-winners-sup4332.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{KGZ}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=
https://akipress.com/news:836146:Kyrgyzstani_athlete_wins_gold_medal_at_world_rhythmic_gymnastics_championship/|title=Kyrgyzstani athlete wins gold medal at world rhythmic gymnastics championship |access-date=2025-08-31}}</ref>
* {{LAT}}<ref name=rg14>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1110045/rhythmic-gymnastics-moscow-averina|title=Averina wins four golds on final day of Moscow Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup|website=[[Inside the Games]]}}</ref>
* {{MEX}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2022 |title=Katz leads the way as Israel, Germany, Mexico all shine in Portimao |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3520311 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref>
* {{PRK}}<ref name=rg9>{{Cite web|url=http://r-gymnast.bplaced.net/RG/Results/VK86.htm|title=2. World Cup from 17.-19. October 1986 in Tokio, Japan|website=r-gymnast.bplaced.net|access-date=2017-01-07 |archive-date=2017-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204160404/http://r-gymnast.bplaced.net/RG/Results/VK86.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{POL}}<ref name=rg5/>
* {{ROU}}<ref name=rg3/>
* {{RUS}}<ref name=rg1/>
* {{SLO}}<ref name=rg12>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-tashkent-results-2019-epr94417.html|title=Gymnastics – World Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics – Tashkent 2019 – Results|website=The-sports.org|access-date=2019-04-28 |archive-date=2021-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029172313/https://www.the-sports.org/gymnastics-world-cup-rhythmic-gymnastics-tashkent-results-2019-epr94417.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{KOR}}<ref name=rg1/>
* ''{{URS}}''<ref name=rg3/>
* {{ESP}}<ref name=rg2/>
* {{SUI}}<ref name=rg4/>
* {{UKR}}<ref name=rg3/>
* {{USA}}<ref name=rg10>{{Cite web|url=https://database.fig-gymnastics.com/public/results/display/14355?backUrl=&idAgeCategory=6&idCategory=76&idFederation=|title=Results for BSB Bank World Cup 2016 Cat. B|website=database.fig-gymnastics.com|access-date=2017-01-07 |archive-date=2021-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029172313/https://database.fig-gymnastics.com/public/results/display/14355?backUrl=&idAgeCategory=6&idCategory=76&idFederation=|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{UZB}}<ref name=rg8/>
* ''{{FRG}}''<ref name=wch1/>
{{div col end}}

Major rhythmic gymnastics tournaments not officially organized by FIG include the continental championships (the [[Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|European Championships]] and its [[Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior European Championships|junior division]], the [[Pan American Gymnastics Championships|Pan American Championships]], the [[Asian Gymnastics Championships|Asian Championships]], the [[African Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|African Championships]], and the Oceania Championships), the [[Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix Series|Grand Prix series]], and multi-sport events in which rhythmic gymnastics is part of the program, such as the [[Gymnastics at the European Games|European Games]], the [[Gymnastics at the Pan American Games|Pan American Games]], the [[Gymnastics at the Asian Games|Asian Games]], and the [[Gymnastics at the Summer World University Games|Summer World University Games]].<ref name="reg" />

Major defunct championships or competitions in which rhythmic gymnastics events were held include the [[List of medalists at the UEG European Cup Final|European Cup Final]], the [[European Team Gymnastics Championships]], the [[Goodwill Games]], and the [[Four Continents Gymnastics Championships]] (reserved for senior athletes from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania).

==Dominant teams and nations==
Rhythmic gymnastics has been dominated by [[Eastern Europe]]an countries, especially the Soviet Union (Post-Soviet Republics of today) and Bulgaria.<ref name=":0" /> The two countries were in rivalry with each other from the [[1967 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|third World Championships]], where the ballet foundations of the Soviet athletes were contrasted against the risky throws and catches of the Bulgarian competitors, until the dissolution of the Soviet Union.<ref name=":14" /> After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia became the dominant country of rhythmic gymnastics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naidu |first=Richa |date=10 July 2024 |title=Russia's absence leaves power vacuum in rhythmic gymnastics |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/russias-absence-leaves-power-vacuum-rhythmic-gymnastics-2024-07-10/ |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

=== Soviet Union ===
[[File:Galima Shugurova 1973.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Galima Shugurova]]|alt=Shugurova balances with the ball in her hand]]
Before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Soviet rhythmic gymnasts were engaged in a fierce competition with Bulgaria. The first [[World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]] held in 1963 in [[Budapest]], Hungary was won by Soviet gymnast [[Ludmila Savinkova]], and in 1967 in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark, the first group championship was also won by the [[USSR]].

Other Soviet World all-around champions in individuals included [[Elena Karpuchina]], [[Galima Shugurova]] and [[Irina Deriugina]]. [[Marina Lobatch]] became the first Soviet to win the [[Olympic Games]] in the [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988 Seoul Olympics]]. In 1991, [[Unified Team at the Olympics|The Unified Team]] was formed and two Soviet/Ukrainian gymnasts competed at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]]; [[Olexandra Tymoshenko]] won gold and [[Oxana Skaldina]] won bronze.<ref name=":35">{{Cite web |date=17 April 2024 |title=Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics history: Records, past winners, best moments, year-by-year results |url=https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/rhythmic-gymnastics-101-olympic-history-records-and-results |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[NBC Olympics]] |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-13  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113110111/https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/rhythmic-gymnastics-101-olympic-history-records-and-results |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Bulgaria ===
[[File:BiankaPanova 1.JPG|thumb|upright|left|[[Bianka Panova]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
The Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation was established in 1963, and in the early days of the sport, most elite gymnasts spent time training in Bulgaria.<ref name=":14" />

Since the inception of rhythmic gymnastics as a World Championship event, Bulgaria was in competition with the Soviet Union; during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Bulgaria won 10 individual World titles with its star gymnasts [[Maria Gigova]] (three-time World all-around champion),<ref name=":36">{{Cite web |title=All Time Greats |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/athletes/atg_view.php?discipline=4 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> [[Neshka Robeva]] and [[Kristina Guiourova]].

The 1980s marked the height of Bulgarian success with a generation of gymnasts known as the [[Golden Girls of Bulgaria]],<ref name=":0" /> with gymnasts [[Iliana Raeva]], [[Anelia Ralenkova]], [[Lilia Ignatova]], [[Diliana Gueorguieva]], [[Bianka Panova]], [[Adriana Dunavska]] (the silver medalist at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]])<ref name="fgbr">{{cite web|title=Резултати от Олимпийски игри - жени - индивидуално|url=https://www.fbgr.org/istoriya-na-bfhg |publisher=FBGR|accessdate=5 February 2025|language=bg}}</ref> and [[Elizabeth Koleva]] dominating the World Championships. [[Bianka Panova]] became the first rhythmic gymnast to make a clean sweep of all five individual events at a World Championship. She also became the first rhythmic gymnast to get into the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] by earning full marks in all her routines (total of 8) at a World Championship, and she received the trophy personally from the President of the [[International Olympic Committee]] at the time, [[Juan Antonio Samaranch]].<ref name=":110">{{Cite web |last=Petcova |first=Rossitsa |date=22 January 2013 |title=Bulgaria's rhythmic gymnastics champion Bianka Panova releases autobiographical book |url=https://bnr.bg/en/post/100183738/bulgarias-rhythmic-gymnastics-champion-bianka-panova-releases-autobiographical-book |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=[[Radio Bulgaria]] |language=en}}</ref>

Bulgarian gymnasts continued to have success into the 1990s, with [[Mila Marinova]] winning five medals at the [[1991 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|1991 World Championships]] and the rise of [[Maria Petrova (rhythmic gymnast)|Maria Petrova]], who dominated competition in the mid-1990s to become a three-time World all-around champion and three-time European all-around champion.<ref name=":36" />  More recent individuals include 2024 European champion [[Stiliana Nikolova]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2024 |title=Bulgaria's Stiliana Nikolova Wins All-Around Gold at European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/226273/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[Novinite]] |archive-date=2025-01-20  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213358/https://www.novinite.com/articles/226273/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as [[Boryana Kaleyn]], the 2023 European champion and the silver medalist at the [[Gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's rhythmic individual all-around|2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2024 |title=Bulgaria's Boryana Kaleyn makes history as she wins Olympic silver in rhythmic gymnastics |url=https://bnr.bg/en/post/102031343/bulgarias-boryana-kaleyn-makes-history-as-she-wins-olympic-silver-in-rhythmic-gymnastics |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=bnr.bg |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-14  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814025749/https://bnr.bg/en/post/102031343/bulgarias-boryana-kaleyn-makes-history-as-she-wins-olympic-silver-in-rhythmic-gymnastics |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Bulgarian group won silver at the first Olympics that included a group event, the [[1996 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":35" /> They also won the bronze medals at the [[2004 Summer Olympics]]<ref name=fgbr/> and at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":35" /> At the following [[Gymnastics at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's rhythmic group all-around|2020 Summer Olympics]], the group (comprising [[Simona Dyankova]], [[Laura Traets]], [[Stefani Kiryakova]], [[Madlen Radukanova]], and [[Erika Zafirova]]) won its first gold medal.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Galofaro |first=Claire |date=2021-08-08 |title=Russian rhythmic dynasty topples, Bulgaria gets the gold |url=https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-rhythmic-gymnastics-c8122bc03e02628390dad69ed2c7cfab |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-26  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226115439/https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-rhythmic-gymnastics-c8122bc03e02628390dad69ed2c7cfab |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Russia ===
[[File:KabaevaOrdercropped.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Alina Kabaeva]]|alt=Refer to caption]]

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has been the dominant country in rhythmic gymnastics.<ref name=":37">{{Cite web |last=Goh |first=ZK |date=1 September 2020 |title=Rhythmic gymnastics and the Olympics: sport returns to debut city at LA 2028 |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/rhythmic-gymnastics-and-the-olympics-los-angeles-1984-2028 |website=Olympics.com |access-date=2024-12-29  |archive-date=2024-08-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816004235/https://olympics.com/en/news/rhythmic-gymnastics-and-the-olympics-los-angeles-1984-2028 |url-status=live }}</ref> The start of the late 1990s saw the rise of stars like [[Amina Zaripova]], [[Yanina Batyrchina]] and [[Alina Kabaeva]]. [[Oxana Kostina|Oksana Kostina]] became Russia's first World champion as an independent country.

At the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in [[Sydney]], [[Yulia Barsukova]] became the first Russian to win the Olympic gold medal. [[Alina Kabaeva]], who had won bronze in Sydney, went on to win gold in the [[2004 Athens Olympics]] and was noted for her flexibility.<ref name=":36" /> [[Evgenia Kanaeva]] became the first individual rhythmic gymnast to win two gold medals in the Olympic Games at the [[2008 Beijing Olympics]] and [[2012 London Olympics]] and won 17 World Championship medals during her career, including three all-around golds.<ref name=":37" /> [[Margarita Mamun]] continued the streak of individual gold medalists at the [[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics]], while the competition favorite, three-time World champion [[Yana Kudryavtseva]], took silver because of a drop in her clubs routine during the finals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2016 |title=After years in the shadows, Margarita Mamun takes her place in the Olympic sun |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=164664 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref>

Twin sisters [[Dina Averina]] and [[Arina Averina]] are two of the best rhythmic gymnasts in Russia's history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2018 |title=The Averina twins: Can you tell the rhythmic gymnastics star duo apart? |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/the-averina-twins-can-you-tell-the-rhythmic-gymnastics-star-duo-apart |website=Olympics.com}}</ref> Dina Averina won multiple World Championship titles, dominating the sport since her senior debut. She secured over 20 gold medals and four all-around titles at the World Championships, making her the most decorated gymnasts in the history of the sport;<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2021 |title=Dina Averina crushes her competition for World All-Around title #4 |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?idNews=3366 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |access-date=2024-08-06  |archive-date=2021-11-06  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106094916/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?idNews=3366 |url-status=live }}</ref> at the [[2020 Summer Olympics]], she won the silver medal.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Galofaro |first=Claire |date=2021-08-08 |title=Russian rhythmic dynasty topples, Bulgaria gets the gold |url=https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-rhythmic-gymnastics-c8122bc03e02628390dad69ed2c7cfab |access-date=2021-10-27 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-26  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226115439/https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-rhythmic-gymnastics-c8122bc03e02628390dad69ed2c7cfab |url-status=live }}</ref> Arina Averina also achieved significant success, consistently earning medals in major international competitions, including the World and [[Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|European Championships]].

The Russian group has won five of the eight group exercises held in the Olympics since it was included in the Olympic Games at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] by winning every title from 2000 to 2016.<ref name=":13" />

=== Ukraine ===
[[File:Anna Bessonova-UKR.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Anna Bessonova]]|alt=Bessonova holds a ribbon]]

Even as part of the USSR, a number of Soviet gymnasts were trained in Ukraine or were of Ukrainian origin, including the first World champion [[Ludmila Savinkova]] as well as [[Liubov Sereda]]. Ukraine has won one gold and four bronze medals at the Olympic Games, and Ukrainian gymnasts representing the USSR and Unified Team won an additional gold and two bronze medals. [[Irina Deriugina]] won two all-around World titles, but she was even more influential as a coach. The school she and her mother, Albina Deriugina, opened, the [[Deriugins School]], has played an important role in the success of rhythmic gymnastics in the country,<ref name=":36" /> training gymnasts like Olympic medalists [[Olexandra Tymoshenko]] and [[Oxana Skaldina]].

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine continued its success in rhythmic gymnastics, with [[Kateryna Serebrianska]] winning the Olympic gold medal at the [[1996 Atlanta Olympics]] and [[Olena Vitrychenko]] winning bronze. [[Hanna Rizatdinova]] won the bronze medal at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":35" />

[[Anna Bessonova]] is one of the most decorated rhythmic gymnasts of all time and consistently challenged Russian gymnasts for medals during her career;<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2021 |title=Olympic lookback: Athens, 2004 |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3115469 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-date=2024-12-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207061626/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3115469 |url-status=live }}</ref> she won two bronze medals at the Olympics (2004 and 2008) and almost 30 medals at the World Championships.<ref name=":35" /> She is also one of few gymnasts to have won gold medals at the World championships as both an individual and group member.<ref name=":36" />

=== Belarus ===
[[File:Larissa Loukianenko 1996.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Larisa Lukyanenko]]|alt=Lukyanenko holds flowers]]

Belarus has had success in both individual and group rhythmic gymnastics after the breakup of the Soviet Union. The first Soviet Olympic gold medalist at the [[1988 Seoul Olympics]], [[Marina Lobatch]], was a Belarusian; she earned all perfect ten scores during her Olympic performances.<ref name=":35" />

Since the late 1990s, Belarus has had continued success in the Olympic Games and has won two silver and two bronze medals in individuals respectively, with [[Yulia Raskina]], [[Inna Zhukova]], [[Liubov Charkashyna]] and [[Alina Harnasko]]. The Belarusian group has also won two silver medals and a bronze medal in the Olympics.<ref name=":35" />

=== Spain ===
[[Image:Carmen Acedo 05.PNG|thumb|upright|left|[[Carmen Acedo]]|alt=Acedo balances while holding the ball]]
Spain has a long tradition in rhythmic gymnastics. Some notable success in rhythmic gymnastics for Spain include [[Ana Bautista]], who won a gold medal in the rope competition in the [[List of medalists at the UEG European Cup Final|European Cup final]] in 1989, [[Carolina Pascual]], the silver medalist at the [[1992 Barcelona Olympics]], [[Carmen Acedo]], who won a gold medal in clubs competition in World Championships in 1993, [[Almudena Cid]], whose four Olympic appearances (1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008) are the most of any rhythmic gymnast,<ref name=":37" /> and three-time Olympian [[Carolina Rodríguez (gymnast)|Carolina Rodriguez]].

Spain is more engaged in group rhythmic gymnastics, and the Spanish group became the first to win the Olympic gold in group rhythmic gymnastics when it was added in the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta]], with the help of the Bulgarian coach [[Emilia Boneva]]. The Spanish group was formed by [[Marta Baldó]], [[Nuria Cabanillas]], [[Estela Giménez]], [[Lorena Guréndez]], [[Tania Lamarca]] and [[Estíbaliz Martínez]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2019 |title=Golden Girls take time to realise how much they shone |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/golden-girls-take-time-to-realise-how-much-they-shone |website=Olympics.com |access-date=2024-12-29  |archive-date=2024-08-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816032354/https://olympics.com/en/news/golden-girls-take-time-to-realise-how-much-they-shone |url-status=live }}</ref> The Spanish group also won the silver medal at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":35" />

=== Italy ===
[[File:Sofia Raffaeli 2024 Sofia World Cup Hoop Final 1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Sofia Raffaeli]]|alt=Raffaeli in a side split holding the hoop]]
Like Spain, Italy is more engaged in group rhythmic gymnastics; since 2004, the Italian group, nicknamed the 'Le Farfalle' or 'The Butterflies', has won nine all-around World Championship medals and three medals (a silver and two bronze) at the Olympic Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poggi |first=Alessandro |date=15 September 2022 |title=Italy rhythmic gymnastics team captain Alessia Maurelli: Being a 'Farfalla' has become a brand |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/italy-group-team-captain-alessia-maurelli-farfalle |website=Olympics.com}}</ref>

On the individual level, the 2022 World champion was the Italian [[Sofia Raffaeli]], who also won the bronze medal at the [[Gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's rhythmic individual all-around|2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2022 |title=Stellar in Sofia, Raffaeli romps to World All-Around title in Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3617430 |access-date=2024-03-07 |publisher=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-date=2022-09-17  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917204353/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3617430 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=Parigi 2024: i volteggi di bronzo di Sofia Raffaeli |trans-title=Paris 2024: The bronze vault of Sofia Raffaeli |url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2024/08/olimpiadi-parigi-2024-ginnastica-ritmica-all-around-volteggi-di-bronzo-di-sofia-raffaeli-medaglia-bronzo-89c3c24f-3066-425a-b440-4933a024242f.html |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=RaiNews |language=it}}</ref>

=== Israel ===
[[File:Linoy Ashram Honored at Beit HaNassi, in Jerusalem (5484) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Linoy Ashram]]|alt=Ashram showing her Olympic gold medal]]
Israel is a rising nation in rhythmic gymnastics. Israeli head coach Irina Vigdorchik, who moved from [[Moscow]] to Israel in 1979, said rhythmic gymnastics had been brought to Israel by Russian immigrants in the early 1970s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kraft |first=Dina |date=8 July 2008 |title=Israeli rhythmic gymnastics born in FSU |url=https://www.jta.org/2008/07/08/arts-entertainment/israeli-rhythmic-gymnastics-born-in-fsu |access-date=27 March 2015 |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]}}</ref>

The sport began its success in the 2000s with notable Israeli gymnasts including [[Irina Risenzon]] and [[Neta Rivkin]], who placed in top ten in the Olympic Games finals. [[Linoy Ashram]] was the first Israeli to win the Olympic all-around gold medal; her win was considered an upset over favorite [[Dina Averina]].<ref name=":03" /> Other notable gymnasts include European champion [[Daria Atamanov]].

In the mid-2010s, the Israeli group began to be amongst the leading groups in the World Cup and World Championship competitions and won its first gold medal at the [[2016 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|2016 European Championships]]. They placed 6th in the Olympic games in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 August 2021 |title=Rhythmic gymnastics team finish sixth, concluding best-ever Olympics for Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/group-rhythmic-gymnasts-finish-sixth-concluding-best-ever-olympics-for-israel/ |access-date=2022-01-28 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-01-28  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128164404/https://www.timesofisrael.com/group-rhythmic-gymnasts-finish-sixth-concluding-best-ever-olympics-for-israel/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 August 2016 |title=Israel rhythmic gymnastics team misses out on medals in Rio |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-rhythmic-gymnastics-team-misses-out-on-medals-in-rio/ |access-date=2022-01-28 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2017-01-18  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118120407/http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-rhythmic-gymnastics-team-misses-out-on-medals-in-rio/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Israeli group won their first World all-around title in 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2023 |title=Historic Israeli Group wins maiden World title in Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3953994 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]]}}</ref> and they went on to win the all-around silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 August 2024 |title=Israel Won Silver Medal in Olympic Games Paris 2024 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-team-wins-silver-in-rhythmic-gymnastics-claiming-nations-7th-medal-of-games/ |access-date=2024-08-11}}</ref>

=== Other European nations ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-G0428-0028-001, Ute Lehmann.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Ute Lehmann]]|alt=Lehmann jumping]]
Germany had early success in the sport, especially from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, with World medalists [[Ute Lehmann]], [[Carmen Rischer]], [[Christiana Rosenberg]], [[Bianca Dittrich (gymnast)|Bianca Dittrich]] and 1984 Olympic medalist [[Regina Weber]]. In 2023, German [[Darja Varfolomeev]] won all five individual gold medals at the [[2023 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships|2023 World Championships]] and went on to win the [[Gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's rhythmic individual all-around|individual all-around at the 2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":04">{{Cite web |date=29 August 2023 |title=Germany's golden girl Darja Varfolomeev relives emotional journey - and reveals her superpowers |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/darja-varfolomeev-germany-exclusive-world-rhythmic-gymnastics-championships-paris-2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=Olympics.com |archive-date=2024-08-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803023043/https://olympics.com/en/news/darja-varfolomeev-germany-exclusive-world-rhythmic-gymnastics-championships-paris-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peene |first=Sam |date=9 August 2024 |title=Paris 2024 rhythmic gymnastics: All results, as Germany's Darja Varfolomeev clinches individual all-around gold on Olympic debut |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-rhythmic-gymanastics-all-around-darja-varfolomeev-results |website=Olympics.com |access-date=2024-08-13  |archive-date=2024-09-24  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924050343/https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-rhythmic-gymanastics-all-around-darja-varfolomeev-results |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Czechoslovakia]] dominated the [[1965 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|second World Championships]], and their routines there, which combined ballet with whole-body movement, influenced the early direction of the sport.<ref name=":14" /> The 1960s and 1970s marked the peak of Czechoslovak rhythmic gymnastics success with World medalists [[Hana Machatová-Bogušovská]], [[Hana Sitnianská-Mičechová]], Zuzana Záveská, Iveta Havlíčková and [[Daniela Bošanská]]

Romania has enjoyed more success in [[artistic gymnastics]] but has also had a presence in individual rhythmic gymnastics (especially in the 1980s and 1990s) with gymnasts like [[Doina Stăiculescu]], the 1984 Olympic silver medalist, and [[Irina Deleanu]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=The beginning of magic: Inside the Romanian junior group's resurgence |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3872859 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-date=2025-01-20  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213140/https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3872859 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Asia and Americas ===
[[File:Erika Akiyama.jpg|thumb|[[Erika Akiyama]]|alt=Akiyama performing with clubs]]

European countries have been always dominant in this sport: only five [[Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships|World Championships]] have been held outside Europe so far, one in Cuba, one in the US, and three in Japan, and only five individual gymnasts (Sun Duk Jo, Myong Sim Choi, Mitsuru Hiraguchi, [[Son Yeon-jae]], [[Kaho Minagawa]]) and three groups (Japan, North Korea and China) from outside Europe have won medals at the [[Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships|World Championships]]. However, rhythmic gymnastics is growing in other countries.

Japan has a long tradition in group rhythmic gymnastics. Since their first competition in 1971, the Japanese group, known as "Fairy Japan", has never finished lower than 10th (except in 2003, 16th) in the all-around at the World Championships. They won their first World medal in 1975, then won their second in 2017, a bronze in the all-around. In 2019, they won their first World gold medal in the 5 balls apparatus final as well as another silver.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matsubara |first=Takaomi |date=2021-08-06 |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics: Fairy Japan Ready Once More to Compete at the Top |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g01150/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=nippon.com |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-20  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213509/https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g01150/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other countries in [[East Asia]] have developed world class gymnasts, such as South Korean [[Son Yeon-jae]], who gained popularity in her home country after she finished fifth at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] and fourth at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-02-27 |title=Son Yeon-jae Voted Athlete of the Year |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2014/12/18/JEMIGBNDY2IOI5VVWDKSH7AOQA/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=The Chosun Daily |archive-date=2025-01-20  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213139/https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2014/12/18/JEMIGBNDY2IOI5VVWDKSH7AOQA/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoo |first=Jeeho |date=19 February 2017 |title=Popular rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae announces retirement |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170218000700315 |website=[[Yonhap News Agency]]}}</ref> China was the first country outside of Europe to medal at the Olympics in the group event (silver at the [[Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's rhythmic group all-around|2008 Summer Olympics]]) and was also the first non-European country to win the Olympic title in the group event at the [[Gymnastics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Women's rhythmic group all-around|2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-10 |title=China becomes first non-European country to claim Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics |url=https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-paris-gymnastics-2e345a627b09533945d33782269e25a2 |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-13  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813035604/https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-paris-gymnastics-2e345a627b09533945d33782269e25a2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although it has not gained as much of a following compared to its [[artistic gymnastics]] counterpart in the Americas, it is a rising sport. Beginning in the 1950s, Evelyn Koop, who graduated from the Ernest Idla Institute in Sweden, promoted the sport in the United States and especially in Canada.<ref name=":14" /> [[Andrea Molnár-Bodó]], a gold medalist in the Team Portable Apparatus event as a member of the Hungarian team at the [[1956 Summer Olympics]], moved to the United States after the Olympics and also promoted rhythmic gymnastics there as a coach and judge.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 September 2022 |title=Andrea Schmid-Shapiro, champion of Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics, passes away |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3625254 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |archive-date=2022-12-05  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205075835/https://gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3625254 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first Olympic champion, competing in the absence of most of the dominant Eastern European countries due to the boycott of the 1984 Olympics, was Canadian [[Lori Fung]].<ref name=":37" /> Brazil was also an early participant in rhythmic gymnastics, sending their first gymnast to the third World championships in 1967, and their group choreography was influential in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Locci |first1=Bruna |last2=de Toledo |first2=Eliana |last3=Schiavon |first3=Laurita Marconi |date=2023-05-28 |title=From Balls and Hoops to Coconuts and Tambourines: Protagonisms and Paradoxes of European Coach Ilona Peuker on Brazilian Floors |journal=[[The International Journal of the History of Sport]] |volume=40 |issue=6–7 |pages=604–628 |doi=10.1080/09523367.2023.2198215 |issn=0952-3367|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Injuries and health issues ==
Studies on rhythmic gymnastics injuries are complicated by changes in the code of points leading to emphasis on different kinds of elements, making it more difficult to generalize the risks from past studies to current competitors. For example, the 2009–2012 code removed elements that led to knee injuries.<ref name=":24">{{Cite journal |last1=Gram |first1=Marte Charlotte Dobbertin |last2=Clarsen |first2=Benjamin |last3=Bø |first3=Kari |date=2021-02-01 |title=Injuries and illnesses among competitive Norwegian rhythmic gymnasts during preseason: a prospective cohort study of prevalence, incidence and risk factors |url=https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/4/231 |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |language=en |volume=55 |issue=4 |pages=231–236 |doi=10.1136/bjsports-2020-102315 |issn=0306-3674 |pmid=32868315 |hdl=11250/3066986 |hdl-access=free |archive-date=2024-11-12  |access-date=2024-11-12  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112010719/https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/4/231 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The development of muscle strength, agility, and speed in rhythmic gymnasts have also been under-studied. A focus on flexibility training without sufficient strength training can lead to injuries, as can forcing [[Turnout (ballet)|turnout]] in the feet and over-training.<ref name=":25">{{Cite journal |last1=Gaspari |first1=Vasiliki |last2=Bogdanis |first2=Gregory C. |last3=Panidi |first3=Ioli |last4=Konrad |first4=Andreas |last5=Terzis |first5=Gerasimos |last6=Donti |first6=Anastasia |last7=Donti |first7=Olyvia |date=September 2024 |title=The Importance of Physical Fitness Parameters in Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Scoping Review |journal=Sports |language=en |volume=12 |issue=9 |pages=248 |doi=10.3390/sports12090248 |doi-access=free |issn=2075-4663 |pmc=11435787 |pmid=39330725}}</ref>

At the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic games, rhythmic gymnasts were injured more often than [[Trampolining|trampoline gymnasts]] but less often than [[Artistic gymnastics|artistic gymnasts]].<ref name=":26">{{Cite journal |last1=Edouard |first1=Pascal |last2=Steffen |first2=Kathrin |last3=Junge |first3=Astrid |last4=Leglise |first4=Michel |last5=Soligard |first5=Torbjørn |last6=Engebretsen |first6=Lars |date=April 2018 |title=Gymnastics injury incidence during the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games: analysis of prospectively collected surveillance data from 963 registered gymnasts during Olympic Games |url=https://bjsm.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097972 |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |language=en |volume=52 |issue=7 |pages=475–481 |doi=10.1136/bjsports-2017-097972 |issn=0306-3674|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Overuse injuries are more common than acute injuries.<ref name=":24" /><ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27">{{Cite journal |last1=Gulati |first1=Reeti |last2=Rychlik |first2=Karen |last3=Wild |first3=Jacob Thomas |last4=LaBella |first4=Cynthia R. |date=2022-09-03 |title=Rhythmic gymnasts' injuries in a pediatric sports medicine clinic in the United States: a 10-year retrospective chart review |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00913847.2022.2040890 |journal=The Physician and Sportsmedicine |language=en |volume=50 |issue=5 |pages=454–460 |doi=10.1080/00913847.2022.2040890 |pmid=35135415 |issn=0091-3847|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Gymnasts most frequently report pain and injury in the lower back and lower limbs, such as the hip, knee, or ankle.<ref name=":24" /><ref name=":27" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sastre-Munar |first1=Andreu |last2=Pades-Jiménez |first2=Antonia |last3=García-Coll |first3=Natalia |last4=Molina-Mula |first4=Jesús |last5=Romero-Franco |first5=Natalia |date=May 2022 |title=Injuries, Pain, and Catastrophizing Level in Gymnasts: A Retrospective Analysis of a Cohort of Spanish Athletes |journal=Healthcare |language=en |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=890 |doi=10.3390/healthcare10050890 |doi-access=free |issn=2227-9032 |pmc=9141380 |pmid=35628027}}</ref> At the [[2013 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|2013 European Championships]], gymnasts were surveyed about pain and compared to a matched group of non-athletes. The gymnasts were more likely to report having pain, with the most frequent reports being of pain in the [[Lumbar vertebrae|lumbar spine]] or ankle; however, they were less likely than the control group to report pain in other areas.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sabeti |first1=Manuel |last2=Jeremian |first2=Lusine |last3=Graf |first3=Alexandra |last4=Kandelhart |first4=Robert |date=January 2015 |title=Elite level rhythmic gymnasts have significantly more and stronger pain than peers of similar age: a prospective study |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00508-014-0623-4 |journal=Wiener klinische Wochenschrift |language=en |volume=127 |issue=1–2 |pages=31–35 |doi=10.1007/s00508-014-0623-4 |issn=0043-5325|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

When the apparatuses are thrown, they can cause injury if not caught in time; some gymnasts have been hit in the head or eyes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naidu |first=Richa |date=7 August 2021 |title=Rhythmic Gymnastics-Bloody noses and back surgeries: gymnasts pay high price to compete |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/rhythmic-gymnastics-bloody-noses-back-surgeries-gymnasts-pay-high-price-compete-2021-08-07/ |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-21 |title=Rhythmic gymnasts are so much tougher than they look |url=https://whdh.com/olympics-news/rhythmic-gymnasts-are-so-much-tougher-than-they-look/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=WHDH 7News |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-11-12  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112040621/https://whdh.com/olympics-news/rhythmic-gymnasts-are-so-much-tougher-than-they-look/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Eating disorders ===
As in other aesthetic sports such as [[figure skating]] and artistic gymnastics, [[body image]] issues and [[disordered eating]] are common.<ref name=":28">{{Cite journal |last1=Oliveira |first1=Laura de |last2=Costa |first2=Vítor Ricci |last3=Antualpa |first3=Kizzy Fernandes |last4=Nunomura |first4=Myrian |date=2021-10-01 |title=Body and Performance in Rhythmic Gymnastics: Science or Belief? |url=https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/11775 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=311–321 |doi=10.52165/sgj.13.3.311-321 |issn=1855-7171|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":29">{{Cite web |last=Jansen |first=Bonnie |date=2024-03-18 |title=Eating disorders and 'toxic' body pressures: Ex-gymnasts reveal sport's 'cut-throat' nature |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/olympics/new-zealand-rhythmic-gymnasts-speak-out-on-eating-disorders-body-pressures-and-demands-for-perfection/WLEWQSDW6JG67CORNGY75GFY6E/ |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[NZ Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":30">{{Cite journal |last1=Venetsanou |first1=Fotini |last2=Ioannidou |first2=Christina |date=2019-10-01 |title=Social Physique Anxiety, Disturbed Eating Attitudes and Behaviors, and Perceived Pressure for Thin Body in Competitive Rhythmic and Aerobic Gymnasts |url=https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/12045 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=331–342 |doi=10.52165/sgj.11.3.331-342 |issn=1855-7171|doi-access=free }}</ref> International-level gymnasts are more likely to have disordered eating and low body weight compared to recreational gymnasts.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Donti |first1=Olyvia |last2=Donti |first2=Anastasia |last3=Gaspari |first3=Vasiliki |last4=Pleksida |first4=Paraskevi |last5=Psychountaki |first5=Maria |date=2021-04-01 |title=Are they too perfect to eat healthy? Association between eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in adolescent rhythmic gymnasts |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1471015321000416 |journal=Eating Behaviors |volume=41 |article-number=101514 |doi=10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101514 |issn=1471-0153|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Long limbs and a slender body are considered ideal for the sport, and judges may be biased against those who do not fit this ideal.<ref name=":29" /> Gymnasts and coaches sometimes believe that a lighter weight will prevent injuries and make it easier to perform elements, and gymnasts have reported excessive weight control from coaches and demands to meet arbitrary weight targets as well as the use of unhealthy methods to lose weight.<ref name=":28" /> The pressure to lose weight may increase for gymnasts with a higher [[body mass index]], even if they are still quite thin by typical standards. Other gymnastics authority figures such as judges also encourage gymnasts to lose weight, and parents and friends may do so as well.<ref name=":30" />

=== Spinal issues ===
[[File:2018-10-16 Gymnastics at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics – Rhythmic Gymnastics - Ball final (Martin Rulsch) 148.jpg|thumb|A gymnast ([[Khrystyna Pohranychna]]) performing a split leap with back extension|alt=Refer to caption]]

Lower back pain and spinal issues are a common concern in rhythmic gymnastics due to elements requiring hyper-extension of the spine, a lack of strength needed to properly support back extension, and the number of repetitions gymnasts perform in training.<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":31">{{Cite journal |last=Agopyan |first=Ani |date=2021-01-02 |title=An analysis of movements with or without back bend of the trunk or large hip extension in 1 st Juniors' Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship-2019. Is there injury risk for gymnasts? |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24748668.2020.1850038 |journal=International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport |language=en |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=108–125 |doi=10.1080/24748668.2020.1850038 |issn=2474-8668 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=2024-11-12  |access-date=2024-11-12  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112010710/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24748668.2020.1850038 |url-status=live }}</ref> A study of routines performed at the [[2019 Junior World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships|2019 Junior World Championships]] found that a number of elements were performed with spinal hyper-extension, particularly leaps.<ref name=":31" />

Rhythmic gymnasts are at increased risk of [[scoliosis]] and other spinal issues. It is thought that this may be in part due to rhythmic gymnasts tending to have looser joints and delayed [[menarche]] as well as from repeatedly performing elements using the dominant side of the torso.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tanchev |first1=Panayot I. |last2=Dzherov |first2=Assen D. |last3=Parushev |first3=Anton D. |last4=Dikov |first4=Dobrin M. |last5=Todorov |first5=Miroslav B. |date=June 2000 |title=Scoliosis in Rhythmic Gymnasts |journal=Spine |language=en |volume=25 |issue=11 |pages=1367–1372 |doi=10.1097/00007632-200006010-00008 |pmid=10828918 |issn=0362-2436}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite journal |last1=Lukić |first1=Nevena |last2=Veličković |first2=Verica |last3=Đorđević |first3=Stefan |last4=Živković |first4=Danijela |last5=Đošić |first5=Anđela |last6=Sterkowicz-Przybycień |first6=Katarzyna |last7=Stojanović |first7=Stefan |last8=Purenović-Ivanović |first8=Tijana |date=2023 |title=Postural status of the spinal column in young rhythmic gymnasts |url=https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/2335-0598/2023/2335-05982302126L.pdf |journal=Fizicko Vaspitanje I Sport Kroz Vekove |language=en |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=126–138 |doi=10.5937/spes2302126L |doi-access=free |issn=2335-0598 |archive-date=2024-12-22  |access-date=2024-12-22  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222190217/https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/2335-0598/2023/2335-05982302126L.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Gymnasts are more susceptible to spinal issues such as scoliosis as they grow older and train for more years.<ref name=":32" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Park |first1=Saejong |last2=Gimma |first2=Rina |last3=Dong-kyu |first3=Cho |date=2021-12-31 |title=Characteristics of elite rhythmic gymnasts with scoliosis in Korea |journal=IJASS (International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences) |language=en |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=159–166 |doi=10.24985/ijass.2021.33.2.159 |issn=1598-2939 |url=https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/landing/article.kci?arti_id=ART002805810 |via=Korea Open Access Journals |doi-access=free }}</ref> However, former elite-level gymnasts may not be at increased risk of back pain once they have completed their career, though those who do experience pain report experiencing it earlier and tend to have retired earlier than gymnasts without pain. The risk may also depend on the codes of points the gymnast competed under and the emphasis put on back hyper-extension in elements at the time the gymnast competed.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Piazza |first1=M. |last2=Di Cagno |first2=A. |last3=Cupisti |first3=A. |last4=Panicucci |first4=E. |last5=Santoro |first5=G. |date=September 2009 |title=Prevalence of low back pain in former rhythmic gymnasts |journal=The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness |volume=49 |issue=3 |pages=297–300 |issn=0022-4707 |pmid=19861936}}</ref> At lower levels of the sport, rhythmic gymnastics training may have a protective effect against back pain.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Vanti |first1=Carla |last2=Gasperini |first2=Margherita |last3=Morsillo |first3=Filomena |last4=Pillastrini |first4=Paolo |date=2010-07-01 |title=LOW BACK PAIN IN ADOLESCENT GYMNASTS. PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS |url=https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A6%3A9833014/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A50340040 |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=openurl.ebsco.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Men's rhythmic gymnastics==
[[File:Almudena Cid y Rubén Orihuela 2014 Euskalgym.PNG|thumb|[[Rubén Orihuela]] performing with [[Almudena Cid]] in 2014|alt=Refer to caption]]

Beginning in 2022, the code of points explicitly states that the wording of the rules applies to people of all genders.<ref name=":38">{{Cite journal |last1=Reyno Freundt |first1=Alda |last2=Meirone Matus |first2=Nicolás |date=2025-02-28 |title=Contextual Factors That Influence Children to Choose to Train Rhythmic Gymnastics |url=http://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/19182 |journal=Science of Gymnastics Journal |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=79–90 |doi=10.52165/sgj.17.1.79-90 |issn=1855-7171 |url-access=subscription |doi-access=free |archive-date=2025-05-17  |access-date=2025-05-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517094450/https://journals.uni-lj.si/sgj/article/view/19182 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the FIG currently only allows the participation of women in rhythmic gymnastics. The FIG Gender Equality Commission met in spring 2024 to discuss the lack of men at the international level; the FIG secretary general was reprimanded for making discriminatory comments at the meeting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-30 |title=La Fédération internationale de gymnastique dans la tourmente |trans-title=The International Gymnastics Federation in turmoil |url=https://www.letemps.ch/sport/exclusif-la-federation-internationale-de-gymnastique-dans-la-tourmente |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=[[Le Temps]] |language=fr |issn=1423-3967 |archive-date=2025-04-01  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401205142/https://www.letemps.ch/sport/exclusif-la-federation-internationale-de-gymnastique-dans-la-tourmente |url-status=live }}</ref> 

However, two versions of men's rhythmic gymnastics exist outside the governance of the FIG. One developed in Japan and uses a spring floor and a different set of apparatuses, and it was originally competed by both men and women before Western rhythmic gymnastics was brought to Japan. The other began development in Spain and uses the same rules and apparatuses as women's rhythmic gymnastics.<ref name=":15" />

=== Japanese men's rhythmic gymnastics ===
Japanese men's rhythmic gymnastics is performed to music on a {{Convert|13|m|ft}} x {{Convert|13|m|ft}} gymnastic [[spring floor]]. As with women's rhythmic gymnastics, there are two types of routines: group events (always freehand, meaning no apparatus), originally with six people and with five since 2024,<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=26 August 2024 |title=2025 年ルール改定について |trans-title=About the 2025 rule revision |url=https://www.jpn-gym.or.jp/rhythmic/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/2cf3c9edb22f598194ae8e058003af68.pdf |website=Japan Gymnastics Association |language=Japanese }}</ref> and individual events performed using an apparatus (stick, rings, rope, or clubs).<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Öztürk |first=Ö. Burcu |date=27 November 2019 |title=Interview: With Sarah Hodge About Japan's Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics (MRG) |url=https://www.authorburcu.com/2019/11/interview-with-sarah-hodge-about-japans.html |access-date=2024-10-03 |archive-date=2024-10-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091946/https://www.authorburcu.com/2019/11/interview-with-sarah-hodge-about-japans.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Athletes are judged on some of the same physical abilities and skills as their female counterparts, such as hand/body/eye co-ordination, but they are also permitted to perform tumbling. Strength and power are the main focus, as well as apparatus handling, flexibility and movements called "''Toshu''" ("freehand").

In 2021, it was estimated there are about 1,500 participants in Japan, with small individual programs in other countries such as Canada and Russia, and some former gymnasts have moved to the United States to work for [[Cirque du Soleil]].<ref name=":15" /> It may be called by other names in other countries, as the feminine stereotype of the term "rhythmic gymnastics" makes it more difficult to recruit boys into programs.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Pilon |first=Mary |date=11 August 2012 |title=For Men, Sport's Stigma Dampens Appeal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/sports/olympics/rhythmic-gymnastics-remains-women-only-at-olympics.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2024-10-04  |archive-date=2024-03-05  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305040920/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/sports/olympics/rhythmic-gymnastics-remains-women-only-at-olympics.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Proponents of Japanese-style men's rhythmic gymnastics in other countries sometimes emphasize its perceived masculine qualities in contrast with the Spanish or women's version.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Ryabikova |first=Victoria |date=2021-09-08 |title=Men's rhythmic gymnastics is on the rise in Russia - despite the haters |url=https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/334180-mens-rhythmic-gymnastics-in-russia |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Russia Beyond |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-10-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091641/https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/334180-mens-rhythmic-gymnastics-in-russia |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== History ====
Men's rhythmic gymnastics in Japan was originally created by adopting elements from Swedish, Danish, and German gymnastics. It has been taught and performed with the aim of improving physical strength and health as early as the 1940s, and the national intercollegiate competition began in 1949.<ref name=":17" />

Originally, both boys and girls used to perform this type of gymnastics, called "''Dantai Toshu Taisou''", literally "group freehand gymnastics". In 1967, the name "''Shintaisou''" ("new gymnastics") was adopted as a translation of "Modern Gymnastics," which was practiced in Northern and Central Europe in schools such as Medau's.<ref name=":5" /> Women's rhythmic gymnastics - originally also called "Modern Gymnastics" - was also imported to Japan under the name "''Shintaisou''", and women began to perform the international version of the sport instead.<ref name=":15" /> However, there are clubs that allow women to train in men's rhythmic gymnastics, and some club competitions include a category for mixed-gender groups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-06 |title="10万人に1人の病"乗り越え、男子新体操で再び全国目指す 春からは新たな夢にも前進「病気で苦しむ人の力に」 |trans-title=Overcoming a disease that "affects one in 100,000", aiming to compete nationally in men's rhythmic gymnastics again; beginning in spring, she moves forward with a new dream: "Give strength to those suffering from illness" |url=https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/680730 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=FNNプライムオンライン |language=ja |archive-date=2024-10-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092740/https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/680730 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=第 8 回全日本男子新体操クラブ選手権大会要項 |trans-title=Outline of the 8th All Japan Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics Club Championships |url=http://www.jsgcf.jp/contents/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023%E5%B9%B4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%83%96%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E6%A8%A9%E8%A6%81%E9%A0%85.pdf |website=Japan Gymnastics Association |language=ja |access-date=2024-10-04  |archive-date=2024-10-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007100841/http://www.jsgcf.jp/contents/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023%E5%B9%B4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%83%96%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E6%A8%A9%E8%A6%81%E9%A0%85.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Currently, men's and women's rhythmic gymnastics are both under the umbrella of the Japan Gymnastics Association, and major competitions for both are often held at the same venue.

==== Scoring ====
For both individuals and groups, points are divided into three scores: difficulty, artistry, and execution. The first score, difficulty, is based on the technical value of the elements performed in the routine. The artistic score is scored out of a maximum of 10 points and is based on harmony between music and movements, use of space, and originality, with deductions for lack of required elements or stepping out of bounds, and so on. Execution is scored out of a maximum of 10 points, based on quality of execution, accuracy of performance, and synchronization, with deductions taken for mistakes or lack of movements in unison, etc.<ref name=":16" />

For individual performances, a gymnast manipulates one or two pieces of apparatus (double rings, stick, clubs, rope) to demonstrate their skill at apparatus handling, throws, and catches as well as the difficulty of the tumbling. The gymnast must work the entire floor area whilst showing continuous flowing movement. The permitted time for individual events is between 1 minute 15 seconds and 1 minute 30 seconds.<ref name=":16" /> During a competition, each individual gymnast performs four separate routines, one for each apparatus. The individual scores of all four routines for each gymnast are then added up to decide the all-around winner.

Group performances are done without using any apparatus and focus on synchronization between the athletes and complicated tumbling; teams even train to [[Breathing|breathe]] at the same times.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":20">{{Cite news |last=Otake |first=Tomoko |date=2013-08-17 |title=Image-flip for male rhythmic gymnasts |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/08/17/general/image-flip-for-male-rhythmic-gymnasts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205040750/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/08/17/general/image-flip-for-male-rhythmic-gymnasts#.Up_8HcfP1qY |archive-date=5 December 2013 |access-date=2017-07-12 |work=The Japan Times |language=en-US |issn=0447-5763}}</ref> The permitted time for group events is between 2 minutes 15 seconds and 2 minutes 30 seconds.<ref name=":16" />

==== Internationalization ====
Competitors from other countries have been included during the men's event at the All-Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships several times; in 2003, gymnasts came from Malaysia, South Korea, Canada, and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2003 |title=第５６回全日本新体操選手権大会 |trans-title=56th All-Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships |url=https://www.jpn-gym.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/03r_na.pdf |website=Japan Gymnastics Association |language=ja }}</ref> The 2005 Championships also included competitors from Australia, Russia, and Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2005 |title=第58回 全日本新体操選手権大会 |trans-title=58th All-Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships |url=https://www.jpn-gym.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/05r_na.pdf |website=Japan Gymnastics Association |language=ja |access-date=2024-10-04  |archive-date=2024-07-15  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715210236/https://www.jpn-gym.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/05r_na.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Russia began holding a national men's rhythmic gymnastics championships.<ref name=":19" />

In 2013, the Aomori University Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics Team collaborated with renowned Japanese fashion designer [[Issey Miyake]] and American choreographer [[Daniel Ezralow]] (Spiderman, Cirque du Soleil) to create a one-hour contemporary performance, "Flying Bodies, Soaring Spirits," that featured all 27 Aomori men's rhythmic gymnasts outfitted in Miyake's signature costumes. Held July 18, 2013 at [[Yoyogi National Gymnasium|Yoyogi National Stadium]] in Tokyo, the show drew an audience of 2,600. "Flying Bodies" was also captured in a 78-minute documentary by director [[Hiroyuki Nakano]] that follows the coaches, gymnasts and creative team for the three months leading up to the performance.<ref name=":20" /> Men's rhythmic gymnasts from [[Aomori University]] also performed at the [[2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]].<ref name=":15" />

=== Spanish men's rhythmic gymnastics ===
[[File:Adrián Munuera 2017 clubs 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|A Spanish gymnast (Adrián Munuera) at an exhibition in 2017|alt=Refer to caption]]

Some male rhythmic gymnasts, primarily in Europe, train and perform in the same way as their female counterparts using generally the same rules as for women's rhythmic gymnastics. Prominent advocates include [[Rubén Orihuela]] (Spain) and Peterson Céüs (France);<ref name=":21" /> in Spain, [[Almudena Cid]], a four-time Olympian, has also been a supporter of men's rhythmic gymnastics.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last1=López |first1=F. |last2=Del Río |first2=P. |last3=Luna |first3=J. |date=2020-07-08 |title=Rubén Orihuela: "Pudimos demostrar que estábamos exactamente igual de capacitados" |trans-title=Rubén Orihuela: "We were able to show that we were exactly as able" |url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20200708/orihuela-gimnasia-ritmica-masculina/2026447.shtml |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=RTVE.es |language=es |archive-date=2024-08-03  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803141848/https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20200708/orihuela-gimnasia-ritmica-masculina/2026447.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Participants in this style of men's rhythmic gymnastics face significant challenges due to gender stereotypes and cultural ideas about what sports are acceptable for men.<ref name=":38" />

==== History ====
Spain is a pioneer country in men's rhythmic gymnastics. In 2005, the Spanish federation allowed men to compete in an open category at the national championships; each autonomous community was allowed to submit two gymnasts in this category, who could be foreign gymnasts or men. In 2009, this category was closed to men after the FIG released a statement that they had no rules for men's competition, as rhythmic gymnastics was a sport for women only, because the Spanish federation was afraid of being sanctioned.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-02-05 |title=Marginados sin piruetas |trans-title=Marginalized without pirouettes |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2009/02/05/actualidad/1233822119_850215.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}}</ref> However, the federation soon announced that there would be a separate category for men using the same rules as the open category.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2009-02-09 |title=Rubén Orihuela y Billy Elliot competirán |trans-title=Rubén Orihuela and Billy Elliot will compete |url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/20090209/local/valenciana/ruben-orihuela-billy-elliot-200902091728.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Las Provincias |language=es |archive-date=2024-10-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007100902/https://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/20090209/local/valenciana/ruben-orihuela-billy-elliot-200902091728.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first year, a dozen gymnasts competed in the men's competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2009-05-10 |title=Dos valencianos, primeros campeones de España de gimnasia rítmica |trans-title=Two Valencians, first Spanish champions of rhythmic gymnastics |url=https://www.levante-emv.com/deportes/2009/05/10/valencianos-primeros-campeones-espana-gimnasia-13268014.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Levante-EMV |language=es |archive-date=2024-10-07  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007095249/https://www.levante-emv.com/deportes/2009/05/10/valencianos-primeros-campeones-espana-gimnasia-13268014.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, a mixed-gender category was added for groups.<ref name=":22" />

In France, men have been allowed to compete in rhythmic gymnastics since 1989 and at a national level in 2008.<ref name=":23">{{Cite journal |last1=Chimot |first1=Caroline |last2=Louveau |first2=Catherine |date=December 2010 |title=Becoming a man while playing a female sport: The construction of masculine identity in boys doing rhythmic gymnastics |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1012690210373844 |journal=International Review for the Sociology of Sport |language=en |volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=436–456 |doi=10.1177/1012690210373844 |issn=1012-6902 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=2024-10-07  |access-date=2024-10-05  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007095521/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1012690210373844 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, they may not compete at the highest levels. In a case brought to the [[Conseil d'État]], it was ruled that the lack of a men's category was not discriminatory.<ref name=":21" /> Fewer than 30 male rhythmic gymnasts were registered in 2000; in 2017, 50 were registered, and by 2022, the number had increased to 385.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":23" /> 

Chile also allows for men to compete, and a few (nine in 2024) have done so; in some cases, they compete in the same category as women.<ref name=":38" /> A small number of men in other countries such as Mexico, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy have also trained in rhythmic gymnastics, and some have competed in unofficial competitions or the Spanish championships.<ref name=":38" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malino |first=Glauco |date=4 April 2024 |title=La rivoluzione gentile della ginnastica ritmica maschile |trans-title=The gentle revolution of male rhythmic gymnastics |url=https://www.giornalelavoce.it/news/sport/541987/la-rivoluzione-gentile-della-ginnastica-ritmica-maschile.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Giornale La Voce |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Semkovsk |first=Desislav |date=21 April 2018 |title=Николай Боев: Художественная гимнастика стала моей жизнью |trans-title=Nikolay Boyev: Rhythmic gymnastics has become my life |url=https://bnr.bg/ru/post/100961183/nikolai-boev-hudojestvennaa-gimnastika-stala-moei-jiznyu |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=[[Radio Bulgaria]] |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-01 |title=Στους 15 καλύτερους του Ισπανικού Πρωταθλήματος ρυθμικής ο Φιλιατρινος αθλητής Γιάννης Ηλιάδης |trans-title=Filiatrinos athlete Giannis Iliadi among the top 15 at the Spanish rhythmic Championship |url=https://www.tharrosnews.gr/2022/07/stous-15-kalyterous-tou-ispanikou-protathlimatos-rythmikis-o-filiatrinos-athlitis-giannis-iliadis/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΘΑΡΡΟΣ}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|left=yes|Sports}}
{{Div col}}
* [[Artistic gymnastics]]
* [[Aesthetic group gymnastics]]
* [[List of gymnasts#Rhythmic gymnasts|List of notable rhythmic gymnasts]]
* [[List of medalists at the FIG World Cup Final#Rhythmic gymnastics|List of medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics FIG World Cup Final]]
* [[List of medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix circuit (disambiguation)|List of medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix circuit]]
* [[List of medalists at the UEG European Cup Final]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in rhythmic gymnastics]]
* [[Major achievements in gymnastics by nation]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/ Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique] 

{{Gymnastics}}
{{Sports of the World Games program}}
{{Summer Olympic sports}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rhythmic gymnastics| ]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Gymnastics disciplines]]
[[Category:Summer Olympic disciplines]]