Monday 21 July 2014

Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Gymnastics

By Steven Oldham

Click HERE for Commonwealth Games homepage

Gymnastics debuted at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada, but is only an optional sport at the Games and had to wait until 1990 to return.

Since then however it's appeared consistently and will also form part of the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Both artistic and rhythmic events will take place in Glasgow, with the latter being one of two all-women events at this year's Games.

WHEN?

Rhythmic starts the gymnastics competition from July 24-26, with medal events on all three days. The artistic programme runs from July 28-August 1. 

WHERE?

The gymnastics programme is one of six sports to take place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in the city's west end.

WHO?

Artistic: Australia were the dominant force in Delhi last time out, taking twelve gold medals - more than every other team put together. They won both team events, often followed by England. Cyprus won 7 of their eleven medals in gymnastics.

Despite Australia's success at the Commonwealths, they failed to produce one medal in gymnastics at London 2012 and it was a below par Olympics from the team from Down Under.

British medal winners from London 2012 Louis Smith, Max Whitlock, Kristian Thomas and Sam Oldham (England), and Daniel Purvis (Scotland) are all in action, as well as double European and five times British champion Daniel Keatings for the home nation.

Rhythmic: Australia won the 2010 team, individual and ball events, but the only returning champion is all-rounder Danielle Prince. Cyprus won the ribbon and rope events but again, champion Chrystalleni Trikomiti is not involved so it is a chance for new gymnasts and potentially nations to get themselves on the medal table. Canada have historically been strong in this event.

LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...
  • Gymnasts compete in eight events for men, and six for women in artistic gymnastics.
  • Alongside netball, rhythmic gymnastics is an all-women event. Rugby sevens is the only men-only sport at the Commonwealths.
  • Women don't compete in the rings or pommel horse events.
  • Judges look at both difficulty and executions, and gymnasts' final score are a combination of the two.
CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?

Check the ticketing site for latest availability.

Scotland's Dan Keatings wants Commonwealth gold on home soil
(telegraph.co.uk)

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