How Scoring Works in Men’s Gymnastics

Scoring & Rules in Men’s Gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are set to showcase some of the most thrilling moments in men’s gymnastics. Understanding the scoring system, competition progression, and historical nuances can greatly enhance your viewing experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to how gymnastics scoring works, how gymnasts and teams progress, and some fascinating gymnastics history and technical insights. With this guide, you can support Team USA, or any other team, with a deeper knowledge of the sport.

Scoring System:

*** FIG MEN’S GYMNASTICS CODE OF POINTS 2022-2024: FIG Men’s Gymnastics Code of Points

*** FIG MEN’S GYMNASTICS CODE OF POINTS 2025-2028: FIG Men’s Gymnastics CoP 2025-2028

*** USA GYMNASTICS CODE OF POINTS 2022-2026: USA Gymnastics Men’s Points and Rules

At our gymnastics school in NY, we emphasize not only training athletes but also empowering families with knowledge about gymnastics. Understanding the scoring system is crucial for appreciating the sport’s complexities and strategizing improvements:

Difficulty Score (D-Score):
- This score reflects the complexity of the routine. Each element performed has a predefined value according to the Code of Points, and the D-score is the sum of these values.
- For women’s gymnastics, the D-score includes the eight most difficult skills, including the dismount.
- There is no upper limit to the D-score, but it typically ranges between 5 and 7 points.
Execution Score (E-Score):
- This score starts at 10.0 points, with deductions made for any errors or flaws in performance.
- Deductions can range from minor errors (0.1 points) to major mistakes like falls (1.0 point).
- The final E-score is the initial 10.0 minus any deductions.

The total score for a routine is the sum of the “D”-score and the “E”-score.

Common Deductions:

Small Errors: 0.1 points deduction for form breaks.
Medium Errors: 0.3 points deduction for noticeable execution flaws.
Large Errors: 0.5 points deduction for major balance issues.
Falls: 1.0 point deduction.

Interesting Historical Facts and Deductions

Historical Evolution

Men’s artistic gymnastics has a storied history, tracing its roots back to ancient Greece and Rome. The ancient Romans used gymnastics primarily for military training, with the pommel horse originally designed to teach soldiers complex mounting and dismounting techniques. Modern men’s gymnastics began to take shape in the early 19th century, thanks to Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the “father of modern gymnastics,” who developed a structured set of exercises and apparatus. Men’s artistic gymnastics has a storied history, making its Olympic debut in the first modern Games in 1896.

Olympic Debut and Early Competitions

Men’s artistic gymnastics was included in the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896. The initial events were quite different from today’s format, featuring rope climbing and ensemble routines on parallel bars and high bars. The first World Championships in Artistic Gymnastics were held in 1903, with only four countries participating: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Evolution of Apparatus and Competitions

By the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the six apparatus used today—floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar—were standardized. This period marked a significant evolution in the sport, emphasizing both strength and precision.

Code of Points

The first men’s Code of Points was developed by Swiss coach Arthur Gander, who served as the president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) from 1966 to 1976. This code established a structured evaluation system that judges still use today, focusing on both the difficulty and execution of routines.

Evolution of the Code of Points

Initially, from the 1896 Olympics, the events included a variety of apparatuses and drills, but over time, the sport has refined its focus to the six apparatuses we recognize today: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. The transition to a dual-score system in 2006 further enhanced the evaluation process by distinguishing between difficulty and execution components.

Penalties and Inquiries

In gymnastics, penalties, or neutral deductions, can be applied for various infractions such as stepping out of bounds, violating time requirements, or attire violations. These deductions range from 0.1 to 0.5 points and are subtracted from the final score. Athletes and coaches can file inquiries to challenge a routine’s score, which can be resolved using video review, supporting fair assessments.

Skill Naming Conventions:

Many skills in gymnastics are named after the gymnasts who first performed them in international competition. For example, the “Thomas Flair” on pommel horse is named after American gymnast Kurt Thomas.

Judging Panels

Each event in women’s gymnastics is scored by nine judges divided into three panels:

D Panel (Difficulty):

Consists of two judges.
These judges determine the D-score by evaluating the difficulty of the elements performed.
They assess the value of the eight most difficult skills, including the dismount.

E Panel (Execution):

Consists of six judges.
These judges assess the E-score by identifying execution errors.
The highest and lowest E-scores are discarded, and the remaining four scores are averaged to ensure fairness and accuracy.

Reference Panel:

This panel helps resolve any significant discrepancies between the D and E panels.
It ensures that the final scores are fair and consistent.

Technology in Judging

Recent advancements in technology, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), are increasingly being integrated into the judging process. Here’s how technology enhances accuracy and fairness in gymnastics judging:

Judging Support System (JSS)

Function: The JSS captures gymnasts’ movements with 3D sensors and analyzes them as numerical data. This system assists judges in accurately determining the difficulty and execution scores.
Components: The system utilizes multi-angle cameras, slow-motion video, and stop-frame technology to provide detailed analysis of each routine. This is also how they stream gymnastics in the Olympics.
Impact: By providing precise measurements and reducing human error, the JSS ensures more consistent and fair scoring. It is particularly useful in resolving inquiries and discrepancies.

Video and Photo Technology

Cameras: High-definition cameras are strategically placed around the competition area to capture every angle of a gymnast’s performance.
Slow-Motion and Stop-Frame: These technologies allow judges to review routines in detail, ensuring that every movement is accurately assessed. Slow-motion replays can highlight subtle execution errors that might be missed in real-time.

AI Integration

Role: AI technology assists in recognizing and evaluating complex elements of routines. It helps judges by providing additional data points and reducing subjective biases.
Implementation: The AI system has been tested and used in major competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympics, enhancing the overall accuracy of the scoring process.

Competition Format and Progression

The gymnastics competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics is divided into several phases:

1. Qualifiers

Teams: Each team consists of five gymnasts. Four gymnasts perform on each apparatus, and the best three scores are counted towards the team’s total score (the “5-4-3” format).
Individuals: Gymnasts compete on all four apparatuses: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. The top 24 gymnasts in the all-around competition (with a maximum of two per country) advance to the all-around final. The top eight gymnasts on each apparatus (with a two-per-country limit) advance to the apparatus finals.

2. Team Finals

In the team final, three gymnasts perform on each apparatus, and all three scores count towards the team’s total score (the “3-up, 3-count” format). This format increases the pressure as there is no room for error.

3. All-Around Finals

The 24 gymnasts who qualified compete on all four apparatuses, and the gymnast with the highest cumulative score wins.

4. Apparatus Finals

The top eight gymnasts from the qualifiers on each apparatus compete, and the highest score on each apparatus wins.

Starting Order for Men’s Gymnastics Events

The starting order for men’s gymnastics events at the 2024 Paris Olympics is designed to ensure fair competition and maintain excitement throughout the events. Here’s how it works for each competition:

Team Finals

The eight qualifying teams are divided based on their qualifying scores.
Teams ranked first and second in qualifying begin on floor exercise.
Teams ranked third and fourth start on pommel horse.
Teams ranked fifth and sixth begin on rings.
Teams ranked seventh and eighth start on vault.

All-Around Finals

The 24 qualifying gymnasts are divided into groups based on their qualifying scores.
Gymnasts ranked first through sixth in qualifying start on floor exercise.
Those ranked seventh through twelfth begin on pommel horse.
Gymnasts ranked thirteenth through eighteenth start on rings.
The remaining gymnasts (ranked nineteenth through twenty-fourth) begin on vault.

Apparatus Finals

For individual apparatus finals, the starting order is determined by a random draw.
This random selection ensures fairness and adds an element of unpredictability to the competition.

Pre-Olympics Qualifiers:

Before gymnasts reach the Olympics, they compete in various national and international events where different scoring systems are used to evaluate their performances. Here’s a breakdown of how these systems work:

National Competitions

In the United States, gymnasts must navigate a series of competitions to qualify for the Olympic Games:

Winter Cup:February showcase for talents.
American Classic:April event serving as a qualifier April 25-28, 2024, in Katy, TX.
S. Classic:Mid-May competition attracting national talents May 17-20, 2024, in Hartford, CT..
S. Gymnastics Championships:From May 30 to June 1, 2024, in Fort Worth, TX.
Olympic Trials:Final selection event from June 27-30, 2024, in Minneapolis, MN[2.2].

International events provide added experience crucial for Olympic qualifications, wherein both teams and individual gymnasts can secure spots via notable performances.

International Competitions

Gymnasts also compete in international events assigned by USA Gymnastics from September 2023 through June 2024. These competitions help them gain experience and earn qualifying scores for the Olympics:

World Championships: Held annually (except in Olympic years), this is the most prestigious event after the Olympics. The 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, served as a team qualifier for the 2024 Olympics.
World Cup Series: These events, held throughout the year, allow gymnasts to earn points towards Olympic qualification.
Continental Championships: The Pan American Championships serve as another Olympic qualifier for American gymnasts.
FIG Apparatus World Cup Series: These competitions focus on individual apparatus and provide another pathway for Olympic qualification.

Olympic Qualification Process

The qualification process for the 2024 Olympics includes:

Team Qualification: Through the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
Individual All-Around Qualification: Through World Championships and Continental Championships.
Apparatus Specialists: Through the World Cup series and Continental Championships.

Notable Achievements: The U.S. women’s gymnastics team has been a dominant force in recent years, with standout performances from athletes like Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and Gabby Douglas.
Team USA: The U.S. men’s team, featuring talents like Fred Richard, Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Stephen Nedoroscik and Brody Malone are strong contenders. They are looking to build on their recent success, including medals at the World Championships.

Conclusion

Understanding the scoring system and competition format can greatly enhance your appreciation of men’s gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With a blend of difficulty and execution, the scoring system ensures that only the most skilled and precise gymnasts reach the podium. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the sport, the drama and excitement of Olympic gymnastics are sure to captivate you.

Sources

[1] USA gymnastics at the 2024 Olympics in Paris – Diario AS https://en.as.com/olympic_games/usa-gymnastics-at-the-2024-olympics-in-paris-disciplines-participants-format-and-scoring-n/

[2] What are the gymnastics events at the 2024 Olympics in Paris … https://en.as.com/olympic_games/what-are-the-gymnastics-events-at-the-2024-olympics-in-paris-apparatus-format-scoring-and-schedule-n/?outputType=amp

[3] Gymnastics at 2024 Paris Olympics: How scoring works, what to know https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/07/25/how-gymnastics-scoring-works-paris-olympics/74051981007/

[4] How scoring works for artistic gymnastics at the 2024 Olympics https://www.nbcbayarea.com/paris-2024-summer-olympics/gymnastics-scoring-rules-events-judging/3459170/

[5] Here’s what to know about gymnastics scoring as Simone Biles and … https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/olympics-gymastics-paris-scored-rcna158078

[6] Code of Points (gymnastics) – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Points_%28gymnastics%29

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