Rhythmic Gymnastics is an Olympic discipline. It is a popular gymnastics discipline. Gymnastics has been in practice since the ancient times. Gymnastics requires a fit body with strength, agility, and flexibility. This was a sport very popular in ancient Greece. Gradually, it spread to other parts of the world as well.

Rhythmic Gymnastics is a popular spectator event in the Summer Olympics. Rhythmic gymnastics routines have both simple exercises and strenuous activities. This discipline started as physical culture routines for dancers and musicians. Gradually, it developed into a competitive sport. Rhythmic Gymnastics was started in the erstwhile Soviet Union as a variant of Classical Ballet. Initially, Rhythmic Gymnastics was regarded as modern gymnastics. The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) recognized this sport as Rhythmic Gymnastics. It is a strictly women’s discipline in the Olympics. Rhythmic Gymnastics routines are accompanied by music. It is similar to dancing. But it is more technical in nature. This sport requires extraordinary coordination. Rhythmic Gymnastics is all about maintaining rhythm. The competitors perform spectacular twists and turns to enthrall the spectators. It is an aesthetic experience to watch the young gymnasts perform seemingly unbelievable somersaults. The rhythmic gymnasts perform on a floor with an area of 13-meter-square. The gymnasts generally use various apparatus such as balls, ribbons, rope, and clubs. In the individual event, the gymnasts perform routines with these apparatus. The team competition of rhythmic gymnastics involves performances from teams of five gymnasts together. Olympic medals are at stake for both Group competition and Individual competition. For a long time, the scoring pattern of this discipline was similar to Artistic Gymnastics. The maximum score was 10. But a few years back, this rule was amended and points were from a maximum of 20 points. Points are awarded by the judges depending on the execution of the various routines including pivots, artistic ability, jumps, balancing etc. The participant with the maximum number of points is declared the winner.

The rhythmic gymnasts start practicing very early in their lives. They retire from the sport early as it is very difficult to maintain the flexibility required for this sport. Graceful movements and flexibility are two of the important attributes of successful Rhythmic gymnasts. The International competitions are held for both juniors and seniors. Rhythmic Gymnastics were included as an Olympic sport from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Olympic gold medal is the most coveted prize for the rhythmic gymnasts across the world. World Championships and Grand Prix tournaments are other prestigious tournaments in this discipline. Eastern European nations like Belarus, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Romania etc have been the dominant force in this sport. USA too has produced champion Rhythmic Gymnastics teams over the years. Australian Rhythmic Gymnasts too have done well over the years.