Today the event is part-sport/part-art and still reflects the spirit of the ancient gymnasium. Three disciplines — artistic, rhythmic and trampoline will be held at the games in Athens. Artistic gymnastics The artistic discipline includes three types of competition: team, individual all-round and apparatus. Only two athletes per country may compete in the individual all-around and apparatus finals.

COMPETITION FINALS

• Team
The top eight teams, each consisting of six gymnasts, compete in all apparatus. Only three team members compete in each apparatus.

• Individual all-around
The top 24 gymnasts compete, on all the apparatus.

• Apparatus
The top eight gymnasts compete on one specific apparatus.

Judging the meet

Graceful flair

Rhythmic gymnastics is a combination of dance and acrobatics performed to music using different hand apparatus. Only women compete in this discipline which debuted in the 1984 Games with the group event added in 1996.

COMPETITION FINALS		APPARATUS USED
Individual all-round — Top 10 athletes compete using four different apparatus		Hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon
Group — Top eight groups, six athletes per group, perform two routines.		First routine: 5 ribbons Second routine: 3 ropes, 2 balls

Bouncing around

Trampoline made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games. In Athens, 16 men and 16 women will compete in the individual event.

Finals

The top eight athletes perform a voluntary routine consisting of 10 different elements or moves.

Sources: International Olympic Committee; Athens Olympic Committee; "Competitive Swimming Manual for Coaches and Swimmers," James E. Counsilman; "Swimming & Diving," American Red Cross; "Sports: The Complete Visual Reference," Fran'ois Fortin; International Association of Athletics Federations; Summer Games Access; Mondo spa/Mondo USA; USA Volleyball; International Volleyball Federation; "The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics," David Wallenchinsky

Graphics: Ed Degasero, Catherine New, Chris Kaeser • Associated Press; Jon Orque • The Honolulu Advertiser