🏛️Official — FIG
Loading OpenSourceSports…
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.
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.
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.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only athletes compete in FIG gymnastics competitions when, in reality, all athletes at these events are subject to anti-doping tests whether they're competing or just spectating - a common misunderstanding stemming from the rule's broad application across all participants.
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.
Why people argue about this
People think they can move apparatus around freely as long as it looks good from a distance, but actually, the FIG Technical Delegate's approval ensures that all competitors have equal access and space for their routines to be performed simultaneously across multiple events.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that just because athletes are tested for performance-enhancing drugs doesn't mean they're also checked for safety equipment issues on the apparatus. They think these tests are solely about drug use, but in reality, it's a broader concern over ensuring all equipment is safe and compliant with standards to protect both competitors and spectators.
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 ...
— Article 4.1
Why people argue about this
People think that the judging panels are randomly assigned each competition, but actually, they're pre-arranged by the FIG based on a set of criteria including past performance and regional representation. They believe the judges are chosen at random for fairness, yet in reality, there's an organized selection process to ensure expertise and diversity across different regions.
Each national team may have accredited coaches on the competition floor. Coaches must wear official accreditation and remain in designated coach zones.
— Article 6
Why people argue about this
People often assume that just anyone can be a coach in gymnastics competitions, which leads them to misunderstand the need for accredited coaches with official badges who must stay within designated zones. They overlook the strict criteria for accreditation and the importance of maintaining order on the floor.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that ceiling heights are solely about safety, thinking they need to be super high to protect gymnasts from collisions with the roof. However, the actual requirement is more nuanced: it's about ensuring enough space for gymnasts to perform their routines without hitting obstacles like lighting fixtures or ductwork, which could pose a risk during competition.
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)...
— Section 3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that Neutral Deductions are applied before D + E scores are calculated, which leads to confusion about their sequence in the scoring process. Actually, they're subtracted after D (Difficulty Score) and E (Execution Score) have been summed together.
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...
— Article 2.2
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a gymnast performs on the wrong apparatus, it's solely about safety concerns, forgetting that the primary reason is to ensure fair competition among athletes who have trained for their specific apparatus. They overlook the compositional deductions aspect and mistakenly believe this rule exists only as a precautionary measure.
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).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a disqualification score of 0. 000 means no points at all, forgetting that it's still used as part of the calculation for scoring other routines in a competition, leading to confusion about how it affects overall results.
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...
— Article 3.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a gymnast performs on the wrong apparatus, it's just about aesthetics, forgetting that using an incorrect piece of equipment can be penalized with a score of zero, which is why they might argue it's not as serious as it actually is.
Per CoP WAG/MAG 2022–2026, Chapter 3 (Execution, Artistry, and Technique): The E Score begins at a maximum of 10.00 points and deductions are subtracted.; Five E judges each award a score independently. The highest and lowest scores are eliminated; the middle three are averaged.; Common execution...
Why people argue about this
People think neutral deductions are always applied equally across all gymnasts for every mistake, but actually, they're discretionary and judges decide which errors to penalize based on their severity and impact on the overall performance, leading to varied outcomes even when mistakes occur.
Scores are posted after the salute. Coaches may submit an official inquiry to the Superior Jury within a specified time (usually 4 minutes of score posting) if they believe a D-score element was missed or incorrectly credited.
— Article 1.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that coaches can only challenge scores immediately after they're posted, thinking it's a one-time opportunity during score display. But actually, the official rule allows them to submit inquiries within 4 minutes post-score posting, which gives them multiple chances if they notice something amiss later on.
FIG Artistic Gymnastics competitions follow a structured format with distinct phases (per FIG Technical Regulations and Competition Regulations): Qualifications (Podium Training): Prior to competition, athletes have access to apparatus for training. At World Championships, a single podium trainin...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the order of apparatus rotation is chosen randomly by each gymnastics team, which leads them to think they can pick their favorite events in any order for maximum points. However, the official structure ensures fairness and consistency across all teams, adhering to a predetermined sequence meant to test athletes' strengths and weaknesses systematically.
Per FIG Technical Regulations, Article 5 (Clothing/Uniforms): Male gymnasts must wear athletic shorts or long trousers (called "longs") on all events except floor, where shorts are permitted. Shirts must cover the torso. On pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, and horizontal bar, gymnasts may wear...
— Article 5, Article 5.3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that gymnasts are only allowed to wear leotards in competition attire, which is why they argue about other forms of clothing like tights or sports bras being acceptable. However, the actual rule states that anything form-fitting and non-revealing is permitted, so confusion arises because they interpret "leotard" too narrowly.
FIG judges must hold current FIG brevet (certification) at the appropriate level (Category 1–4, with Category 1 being the highest level required for Olympic Games). Judges must pass written and practical examinations administered by the FIG and must attend refresher courses each quadrennium.
Why people argue about this
People think that only Olympic judges need current FIG brevet certification, but actually all FIG judges at levels 1-4 must hold a valid brevet for their level, regardless of whether they are officiating Olympics or not. The confusion arises because this rule applies to all categories and is meant to ensure consistency across competitions, not just the highest-profile ones.
Per the FIG Code of Points and Technical Regulations, judging panels are structured as follows for Artistic Gymnastics: Difficulty (D) Panel: Consists of 2 judges (D1 and D2) who independently evaluate the Difficulty Score. They assess the difficulty value (DV) of all elements performed, connecti...
— Section 1, Section 6
Why people argue about this
People often assume that judges in gymnastics are randomly selected from a pool of volunteers, which they believe leads to bias. In reality, judging panels for artistic gymnastics are meticulously structured by FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) and consist of highly trained professionals who undergo rigorous selection processes based on their expertise in the sport.
Competition venue lighting must provide uniform illumination of at least 1,500 lux at apparatus level for televised FIG World Championships and Olympic Games, as specified in the FIG Competition Or...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that lighting is a non-issue in gymnastics competitions since it's just about performing on mats, forgetting that uniform illumination across apparatus levels is crucial for judges' visibility and fairness of scoring during televised events. They overlook how inconsistent lighting can skew scores by making some elements appear higher or lower than intended.
Per FIG Technical Regulations, Article 9 (Medical Services): Every FIG competition must have at least one qualified medical physician and at least one physiotherapist on-site during competition and official training sessions.; A designated medical treatment area must be accessible from the compet...
— Article 9, Article 9.3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only athletes are subject to drug testing at FIG competitions, forgetting about the broader scope of medical staff who must also comply with WADA standards, leading to misunderstandings about their own role in anti-doping protocols.
Per the FIG Technical Regulations and CoP MAG 2022–2026: Floor Exercise (FX): Spring floor measuring 12 m × 12 m (39.4 ft × 39.4 ft) with a safety border of at least 1 m on all sides. The total platform area is at least 14 m × 14 m. The floor surface must be covered with a non-slip carpet.; Pomme...
Why people argue about this
People often argue that they don't understand why judges score uneven bars differently compared to rings, thinking it's unfair when in reality, the scoring criteria for each apparatus are specifically outlined in the FIG Technical Regulations—different movements and techniques are scored based on their difficulty and execution relative to the specific apparatus' demands.
Out of bounds (floor exercise): 0.10 per occurrence when one or both feet touch or land on or beyond the white boundary line (CoP 2022–2026, Line Deductions, Article 7.3). The line itself is out-of-bounds. Assessed by line judges using flags.; Time violation: Beam routine <...
— Article 7.3, Article 6.4, Article 8
Why people argue about this
People often assume that neutral deductions apply only to technical errors like wrong apparatus use, forgetting that they can also be used for severe anti-doping issues or when an athlete commits conduct violations during their routine, leading to a disqualification. This ambiguity about what constitutes a "conduct violation" is where the confusion usually lies.
Neutral Deductions are applied by the Referee or designated judges and subtracted from the final score after D + E are summed. Common NDs include: Coach on podium/floor without permission: 0.30; Stepping out of bounds on floor exercise: 0.10 per occurrence (assessed by line judges); Time violatio...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that Neutral Deductions are penalties imposed by judges during a routine, which leads them to believe they're deducted from scores immediately. However, in reality, these deductions are applied after all other scores (D and E) have been calculated for each apparatus, then subtracted from the total final score.
In team and all-around competition, gymnasts rotate through apparatus in a set order. In MAG, the order is: Floor Exercise → Pommel Horse → Still Rings → Vault → Parallel Bars → Horizontal Bar.
— Article 10, Section 7
Why people argue about this
People often assume that gymnasts can choose their apparatus order based on preference, thinking it's flexible like in other sports, but actually the FIG has set a strict rotation order for team and all-around competitions to maintain fairness and consistency across different meets.
Per CoP MAG 2022–2026: Floor Exercise: Duration: maximum 70 seconds. Men's floor exercise is performed without music. Routine must include a minimum number of acrobatic and non-acrobatic elements. The gymnast must use the entire floor area (all four corners must be touched or passed through).; Po...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that MAG (Movement and Artistry Group) requirements are solely about artistic flair and forget that they're also heavily weighted towards technical precision. They think it's just about how creative you can be with your routine, but in reality, gymnasts must balance both elements to meet the criteria effectively.
Per CoP WAG 2022–2026: Vault: Each gymnast performs one vault in Qualifications/Team Final/All-Around. In Event Finals, gymnasts perform two vaults of different values (different families). The maximum time from the signal to vault is 30 seconds.; Uneven Bars: A routine must include a minimum of ...
— Article 7.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that WAG requirements are solely about difficulty level, forgetting that they also heavily factor in artistic impression and execution quality. They think a high score is guaranteed if you have a difficult routine, but actually, it's more nuanced - judges consider how well the gymnast performs all elements with artistry and precision too.
The FIG adopted the FIG Safe Sport Policy (revised 2020, with subsequent updates) establishing zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, and misconduct in gymnastics. The policy applies to all FIG-affiliated athletes, coaches, judges, and officials.; National Federations are required to implement Saf...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only athletes compete in FIG events are tested for performance-enhancing drugs, which leads them to believe that all gymnasts undergo drug checks at every competition. Actually, it's just a subset of athletes participating in FIG competitions who are subject to these tests, not all gymnasts across the board.
Each apparatus must be surrounded by landing mats. FIG specifies minimum mat dimensions and placement: Landing mats: The standard competition landing mat (crash mat) must be at least 0.20 m (7.9 in) thick. Mats used for vaulting must be at least 0.20 m thick and 1.80 m × 1.20 m in surface area (m...
— Section 7
Why people argue about this
People often assume that gymnasts are always free to choose their landing area based on personal preference, but in reality, the official layout approved by FIG ensures safety zones around apparatus for simultaneous events, limiting individual choice and ensuring fair play across all athletes.
Prior to mounting and after dismounting, the gymnast must salute the head judge (Chief D Judge or Referee) to signal readiness and completion. The green light or flag signal from the judging panel gives permission to begin.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that saluting is optional based on the green light signal from judges, missing the point that salutes are a mandatory acknowledgment of readiness and completion in gymnastics protocol, regardless of other signals. They overlook how crucial it is for clear communication between athletes and officials during routines.
All apparatus used in FIG-sanctioned competitions must be approved by the FIG and listed on the official FIG Approved Apparatus List. Manufacturers must obtain FIG certification prior to use at any FIG event.
— Article 5, Article 5.3, Section 5
Why people argue about this
People often assume that as long as they have a custom-made piece of equipment for gymnastics, it will be automatically approved by FIG just because it's custom-made, but actually, manufacturers must obtain official FIG certification prior to use at any FIG event, not just anyone who builds something can slap their name on it.
Per FIG Technical Regulations, the following minimum ceiling heights are required above apparatus:
— Section 7
Why people argue about this
People often assume that ceiling height requirements are solely about safety, thinking it's just a matter of ensuring gymnasts don't hit their heads on the roof during routines. However, the actual confusion arises because these regulations also consider lighting and camera angles for broadcast quality footage, which is crucial for judging and viewer experience in televised competitions.
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 ...
— Article 4.1, Article 6, Section 1, Section 6
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the judging panel structure is static and unchangeable across all competitions, forgetting that it can vary based on the venue's resources or the competition's requirements, leading to misunderstandings about how panels are formed for Artistic Gymnastics events.
FIG Artistic Gymnastics competitions follow a structured format with distinct phases (per FIG Technical Regulations and Competition Regulations): Qualifications (Podium Training): Prior to competition, athletes have access to apparatus for training. At World Championships, a single podium trainin...
— Article 10, Article 7.1, Section 7
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the order of apparatus rotations is fixed for all gymnasts in a team competition, which leads them to argue about whether an athlete's position on a roster affects their rotation sequence. However, the official rule specifies that each gymnast rotates through the apparatus according to their individual order, not based on who's listed first or last on the team sheet.
The FIG scoring system — often called the "open-ended" or "Code of Points" system — was adopted following a major reform after the 2004 Athens Olympics. The current system is described in the respective FIG Codes of Points (CoP MAG 2022–2026 and CoP WAG 2022–2026).
— Article 1.4, Section 3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the open-ended scoring system in gymnastics means judges can score whatever they want, which leads to arguments about fairness. Actually, it's a system where scores are calculated based on deductions from perfect scores for each element, and while there is room for interpretation, judges must follow strict guidelines to ensure consistency and fairness across competitions.
Violations in FIG gymnastics result in deductions from the score, disqualification, or other sanctions depending on severity. The following are the principal violations and their consequences as specified in CoP WAG/MAG 2022–2026 and the FIG Technical Regulations.
— Article 3.4, Article 2.2, Article 7.3, Article 6.4, Article 8
Why people argue about this
People often assume that deductions in gymnastics are solely based on mistakes during routines, forgetting that penalties can also stem from technical violations like incorrect body positions or movements outside of the specified techniques, leading to a broader range of disputes over what exactly constitutes a violation.
Athlete safety is a primary obligation of the FIG, National Federations, and competition organizers. The FIG has adopted several frameworks and regulations addressing safety, as described in the FIG Technical Regulations, the FIG Safe Sport Policy, and the FIG Medical Commission Guidelines.
— Article 9, Article 9.3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that safety measures in gymnastics are solely about equipment and facilities, forgetting that it also encompasses strict adherence to choreography and technique guidelines to prevent injuries during routines. The confusion arises because they overlook how proper execution of moves according to safety standards can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
Coaches are permitted and encouraged to provide manual spotting (physical assistance) during warm-up and podium training. Spotting is not permitted during competition routines except in cases of emergency to prevent serious injury.; During competition, if a coach enters the competition area to pr...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that spotting is only about safety in gymnastics apparatus handling, forgetting that it can also involve performance enhancement through assistance from coaches during warm-up exercises, thus leading to misunderstandings about its regulation under anti-doping rules.
For vault, the D score is predetermined in the Vault Table (CoP MAG/WAG 2022–2026, Appendix). Each vault has a fixed DV.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the DV (Difficulty Value) for a vault is predetermined by the gymnasts themselves based on their performance, but actually, it's set in advance as part of the official Vault Table, which is determined by FIG and applies to all athletes regardless of individual skill levels or performances.
Per CoP WAG 2022–2026 and FIG Technical Regulations: Vault (VT): Vaulting table height: 1.25 m (4 ft 1.2 in). Table surface length: 1.20 m (3 ft 11.2 in); width: 0.95 m (37.4 in). Runway minimum length: 25 m.; Uneven Bars (UB): High bar height: 2.50 m (8 ft 2.4 in). Low bar height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7...
— Section 5
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the difficulty score in WAG apparatus is solely based on the gymnast's execution of moves, forgetting about the influence of judges' scores for each apparatus. In reality, the difficulty score also factors in the combination and sequence of skills performed by the athlete, which can lead to discrepancies if not properly understood.