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Rhythmic Gymnastics

History

Contrary to artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics is a recent sport, which started at the beginning of the 20th century as a new concept, exclusive for the ladies. Initially called modern gymnastics, the sport started as a combination of techniques, breathing therapy, relaxation therapy and dance, among others.

The first decades of the 20th century were used to develop the new sport. The International League for Modern Gymnastics was founded in 1952 with the goal of disseminating the sport through competitions and  exhibitions. However, the sport was already being disseminated before the league was founded. In 1948, during the Olympics in London, countries taking part in the artistic gymnastics competition also had to take part in two modern gymnastics team events:  a hands-free apparatus chosen freely, with music accompaniment. In the following edition  of the Games in 1952 in Helsinki, modern gymnastics was included as a demonstration sport.

Ricardo Bufolin/CBGTen years later, the 41st Conference of the International Gymnastics Federation recognised modern gymnastics as an independent sport. In 1963 the first World Championship was held in Budapest in Hungary. Between that same year and 1972, the sport was renamed modern rhythmic gymnastics. Therefore, at the 53rd Conference of the International Gymnastics Federation the term rhythmic gymnastics was adopted.

The events

The sport has six events:

  • Team
  • Rope
  • Hoop
  • Ball
  • Clubs
  • Ribbon

Curiosities

Only four at the Olympics

Despite having five apparatus (rope, hoops, balls, clubs and ribbon), in rhythmic gymnastics only four are chosen to be used at the Olympics. For example, at the London Games in 2012, there was no rope event.