-
1928 Summer Olympics
Held in Amsterdam, Germany, this was the first time where women were allowed to compete in athletic gymnastics. However, in comparison to Men's Gymnastics competition which included the team final, all-around final, and individual final, Women's Gymnastics only had a team event.
photo credits: https://thegymter.net/2015/12/11/our-first-olympics-womens-gymnastics-at-amsterdam-1928/ -
Women's Gymnastics confirmed as permanent event
Held in Berlin, Germany, this was the first year that US women competed in artistic gymnastics. -
Period: to
Soviet Union dominates
The Soviet Union dominated team competition. -
USAG established
The United States of America Gymnastics Federation (USAG) becomes the national governing body of the sport in the United States. -
First 10.0 scored by Nadia Comaneci
Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci scored the first perfect 10.0 score on the uneven bars event. In fact, such a score had never been achieved before at the Olympics and so since the scoreboard was not designed for double figures, her score was displayed as 1.00 instead.
photo credits: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-blog/2011/dec/14/50-olympic-moments-nadia-comaneci -
1984 Olympics
In response the United States' boycott of the 1980 Olympic games, the Soviet Union in turn boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics, which ultimately paved the way for US gymnast Mary Lou Retton to win the all-around gold medal. Additionally, rhythmic gymnastics was introduced as an Olympic sport.
photo credits: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-blog/2011/dec/14/50-olympic-moments-nadia-comaneci -
Rule Change: Minimum Age Requirement
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) raised the age requirement for gymnasts to compete at senior-level gymnastics events from 15 years to 16 years. -
2000 Olympics Scandal
With the Romanians, Russians, and China winning the three medals of gold, silver, and bronze, respectively, the International Olympics Committee stripped China of their bronze medal placement because the Chinese had lied about the age of one of the gymnasts. Dong Fanxiao registered as 17 years old in order to qualify to compete, but was actually only 14 years old. The bronze medal was consequently awarded to the US after. -
Period: to
US dominates
The United States has dominated women's artistic gymnastics competition since 2004 to the present, continuing to win every women's all-around gold medal. In 2004, Carly Patterson was the first to win. In 2008, Nastia Luikin won. In 2012, Gabby Douglas won the gold. In 2016, Simone Biles won. An important note to make is that although Mary Lou Retton did win the gold all-around in the 1984 Olympics, some people discredit this achievement since the Soviet Union did not compete at these games. -
Rule Change: Code of Points
In removing the previous maximum score of 10.0, a new scoring system was implemented. Two separate scores would be added together: an execution and difficulty score. The Execution score begins at 10.0 and judges deduct for errors in performance, such as a fall of the beam or an extra step upon the landing of a dismount. The Difficulty score starts at 0.0 and increases with every difficult skill performed. This system is now used at the Elite level in the US and international competition. -
Program Change: National Gymnastics Levels and Xcel
The gymnastics levels changed from six compulsory levels and four optimal levels to instead five compulsory and five optional levels. Additionally, the Xcel program, which provides an affordable experience to Junior Olympic athletes, becomes a national program. -
2020 Summer Olympics postponement
The International Olympics Committee makes the decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
photo credits: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/290341507218882097/
