🏛️Official — FIG
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10 essential rules
The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) is the world governing body for gymnastics, founded on July 23, 1881 in Liège, Belgium, making it the oldest international sport federation. The FIG administers competition rules across all gymnastics disciplines for international competition, in...
The FIG is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. Athletes at FIG competitions are subject to in-competition and out-of-competition testing.
In major FIG competitions (World Championships, Olympic Games), apparatus must be arranged to allow simultaneous competition on multiple events. The FIG Technical Delegate approves the final apparatus layout.
All apparatus must be FIG-certified and inspected prior to each competition day by the Technical Delegate or designated apparatus inspector. Apparatus showing signs of structural fatigue, damaged padding, or improper adjustment must be replaced or repaired before competition resumes.; Landing mat...
Per FIG Technical Regulations and Statutes: Team composition (WAG): At World Championships and Olympic Games, each nation may enter a team of up to 5 gymnasts in the team event. In team competition, 4 gymnasts compete on each apparatus, with the top 3 scores counting (4 up, 3 count format, as of ...
Each national team may have accredited coaches on the competition floor. Coaches must wear official accreditation and remain in designated coach zones.
Per FIG Technical Regulations, the following minimum ceiling heights are required above apparatus: Horizontal Bar (MAG): Minimum 8 m (26 ft 3 in) clear ceiling height above the floor.; Uneven Bars (WAG): Minimum 7 m (22 ft 11.6 in) clear ceiling height.; Trampoline events: Minimum 8–10 m (26–33 f...
Per CoP WAG/MAG 2022–2026, Chapter 2 (Difficulty): The D Score is open-ended (no maximum) and is determined by the two D judges working together.; Difficulty Value (DV): Only the best 8 elements in a routine count toward the D score (vault: 1 element only). Elements are rated from A (0.10 points)...
Unrecognized element: If a skill is insufficiently performed to meet the element's minimum technical requirements (per element description in CoP), the element receives no DV and is not counted in the 8 elements.; Missing compositional requirement (CR): 0.10 per unfulfilled CR (maximum 0.50 per e...
A routine or result may be disqualified (score of 0.000) for: performing on wrong apparatus, using another athlete's turn, performance after disqualification, or severe anti-doping or conduct violations. , fewer than 3 of 4 assigned gymnasts complete a valid routine in a 4-up, 3-count format).
Fall from apparatus: 1.00 point deduction from E score. A fall is defined as uncontrolled contact of any body part other than hands/feet with the apparatus or landing mat. A gymnast may remount and continue after a fall; the fall deduction remains (CoP 2022–2026, Chapter 3, Article 3.4).; Bent kn...
Applaud a great performance, even from a rival
Elite gymnasts are expected to visibly applaud or acknowledge an outstanding routine by a competitor, regardless of how it affects medal standings. This is one of gymnastics' most visible and celebrated cultural norms, regularly on display at Olympics and World Championships — gymnasts and coaches from rival nations clapping for exceptional performances.
Widely documented in media coverage of major championships; Simone Biles routinely receives applause from competitors mid-competition.
Accept scoring with visible composure
While formal score inquiries are permitted under the Code of Points, visibly disputing, protesting, or showing contemptuous body language toward judges after a score is announced is considered a serious breach of decorum. Coaches and gymnasts are expected to receive the score, then address any concern privately or through official channels only.
Tension exists between this norm and legitimate scoring transparency advocacy, especially as judging controversies have grown.
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