In the 2006 gymnastics movie, Stick It, Mina Hoyt barrels down the runway towards the vault, attempting something nobody in the competition would dare: a handspring double-front, also known as a Produnova. She blocks off the vault, does 2.5 flips in the air, and sticks the landing. Her teammates and coaches erupt in cheers. Her score? A disappointing 9.5. The deduction: a visible bra strap.
If a gymnast at the Paris Olympic Games had her bra strap showing, would she really be deducted? In this article, we’ll take a deeper dive into rules that don’t get applied as frequently, ranging from whether your favorite gymnast is allowed to wear cat makeup to if you’re allowed to celebrate your stuck dismount like an NCAA gymnast.
Rights of the Gymnast
Let’s begin with section 2.1 of the Code of Points, which outlines the Rights of the Gymnast. These are important rules to establish the legitimacy and objectiveness of the sport, which was a much larger issue in eras like the 1960s where conflicts of interest, Cold War politics, and lack of judging accountability led to some biased results. The current Code establishes rights and responsibilities for gymnasts, coaches, judges, and technical committee members to ensure the competition remains as fair and objective as possible. Some rules are straightforward; for example, gymnasts have the right to have their routines evaluated fairly and in accordance with the Code.
Other rules aren’t so straightforward, like the right for a gymnast to repeat their routine “if the exercise has been interrupted for reasons beyond their control or responsibility.” Infamously at the 2000 Sydney Olympics during the women’s all-around final, the vault was set 5 cm too low causing many gymnasts to fall and two injuries. After the Women’s Technical Committee was made aware of the problem, all gymnasts who vaulted on the incorrect setting were allowed to redo their vault.
On the topic of equipment, gymnasts have the right to demand it meets the specifications and norms for official FIG competitions. Equipment quality was an issue at 2017 Worlds and caused unnecessary and dangerous distractions to gymnasts competing.
Among the women’s events, uneven bars is the only event where gymnasts are allowed to make adjustments to the apparatus as necessary. Georgia-Rose Brown, New Zealand’s Olympic qualifier, raises the bars to accommodate her 5-foot-8 stature. If you’ve ever been called “too tall” to swing bars, just know the FIG has made a special exception for gymnasts like you and Georgia-Rose Brown.
Duties of the Gymnast
These are the responsibilities the FIG has for all competing gymnasts. Violating any of these duties can result in a 0.3 deduction for a behavioral violation or 0.5 for an apparatus violation, taken by the Chair of the Superior Jury (Donatella Sacchi) after notification from the D-panel.
To summarize the most important behavioral responsibilities, gymnasts are expected to “present themselves in a proper manner” before and after the routine. To throw out a few examples of the “abusive behavior” judges will be monitoring, gymnasts are not allowed to run underneath the low bar before performing her mount on uneven bars. Another big no-no is forgetting to salute before or after your routine. On the men’s side, Xiao Ruoteng of China was hit with a 0.3 neutral deduction at the Tokyo Olympics for celebrating his final routine instead of saluting the judges, almost costing him his all-around silver medal.
In contrast to the college scene, gymnasts in the elite world need to be mindful about celebrating after their routines. After landing her eponymous Yurchenko double-pike in competition during her 2023 comeback, Simone Biles celebrated by doing a little celebration jig on the podium. USA Gymnastics later sent out an email to remind coaches and athletes that celebratory dances can incur a neutral deduction.
If a gymnast has a fall during their routine, they have 30 seconds to remount the bars and 10 seconds to remount the beam. The timer to remount the equipment begins once the gymnast is back on their feet, but recently the FIG has noticed gymnasts begin to purposely stay off their feet to avoid the countdown. If an uninjured gymnast purposely stays down to avoid the clock, a behavioral violation will be applied.
Another rule that may come as a surprise: gymnasts are also expected to attend award ceremonies wearing their national tracksuits; otherwise, their competition results will be annulled.
Warm-Up Rules
Prior to the competition, each gymnast is entitled to a one-touch warmup on the equipment. However, there are a few restrictions to note. Gymnasts are allowed to warm up as follows:
- 2 vaults during all-around, team, and event finals. 3 warm-up attempts are allowed during qualifications for a gymnast attempting two vaults.
- Beam and floor have a 30-second warm-up allowance.
- Bars allows a 50-second warmup, including the time taken to prepare the bars.
Time mismanagement was one of the reasons why Kayla DiCello had to do her bar routine without a warmup during qualifications at 2021 Worlds. Efficiency is essential for allowing each gymnast to properly warm up before competing, and it’s the responsibility of coaches and athletes to collaborate and prepare for these scenarios.
Time Deductions | |
Exceeding touch warm-up time | -0.3 |
Failure to start within 30 seconds after green light | -0.3 |
Overtime on beam or floor | -0.1 |
Starting exercise without signal or when red light is lit | Final score of zero |
Exceeding allowable intermediate fall time | -0.3 |
Exceeding allowable intermediate fall time (>60 seconds) | Exercise has concluded |
Coaching Behavioral Violations
Like gymnasts, coaches must adhere to behavioral conduct on the competition floor. Violation of these rules can result in a deduction for the gymnast or team and may also result in the coach being removed from the competition arena. These rules were particularly relevant during the 1990s and early 2000s when theatrical, larger-than-life coaching from figures like Bela Karolyi or Steve Nunno was more prominent.
Each team is allowed one male coach and one female coach, or two female coaches. It’s lenient compared to earlier Codes where men weren’t allowed on the competition floor at all and the presence of one would result in a one-point team deduction.
Below are tables to summarize coaching behavior guidelines:
Coaches’ Behavior Without Direct Impact on Gymnasts’ Performance | |
Unsportsmanlike conduct | 1st time: Yellow card
2nd time: Red card and removal from competition hall |
Other undisciplined and abusive behavior | Immediate red card and removal from competition/training hall |
Coaches’ Behavior With Direct Impact on Gymnasts’ Performance | |
Unsportsmanlike conduct | 1st time: -0.5 from gymnast/team and Yellow card
1st time: -1.0 from gymnast/team and Yellow card if the coach is speaking aggressively to an active judge 2nd time: -1.0 from gymnast/team and Red card & removal from competition hall |
Other undisciplined and abusive behavior | Immediate red card and removal from competition/training hall |
Other undisciplined and abusive behavior | -1.0 from gymnast/team and immediate red card and removal of coach from the competition floor |
Attire Rules
Gymnastics has a history of policing attire in women’s gymnastics. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, judges could deduct 0.3 for any uniform deemed “immodest.” While language in the rulebooks was changed to an “incorrect attire” deduction, it remained open to broad interpretation for anything not considered modest enough. For example, at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics two Chinese gymnasts and a Czechoslovakian gymnast were given a 0.1 deduction for their ill-fitting, wedgie-inducing leotards. Flash forward to today, the requirements for attire are much more specific, but some rules still remain vague.
- Women must wear non-transparent leotards or unitards of “elegant design.” Leg coverings are permitted under or on top of the leotard.
- The neckline of the front and back of the leotard/unitard must be proper, that is no further than half of the sternum and no further than the lower line of the shoulder blades. Leotards and unitards may be with or without sleeves; shoulder strap width must be minimum of 2 cm.
- The leg cut of the leotard may not extend beyond the hip bone. The leotard leg length cannot exceed the horizontal line around the leg, delineated by no more than 2 cm below the base of the buttocks.
- Gymnasts must wear a national identification emblem on the leotard
- Gymnasts may only wear logos, advertising, and sponsorship identifiers in accordance with FIG publicity rules.
- Gymnasts must wear identical uniforms with the team for qualifications and team finals.
- Women are not permitted to wear jewelry, but stud earrings are allowed.
- Gymnasts are permitted to wear socks/gymnastics slippers. Handguards and wrist wrap are permitted, but gymnasts may not wear compression sleeves/socks during the meet.
- Gymnasts must wear a bib supplied by the organizing committee, but are allowed to remove it in the case they perform backspins on beam or floor
- Face painting is not allowed and must be “modest.”
Meanwhile, the men’s Code currently has no rules regarding uniform measurements, jewelry, and face paint or makeup.
Summary of behavior-related violations
Behavior Related Violations | |
Violations of attire
|
In Qualification, All Around, and Team Final it is taken once in competition phase from the apparatus where first recognized. In apparatus finals it is taken from the event score. |
Violation of attire regulations that apply to team competition (non-identical leotards) | -1.0 from apparatus where discrepancy is first recognized |
Unauthorized remaining on the podium | -0.3 from final score |
Incorrect advertising | -0.3 from the final score on the apparatus concerned |
Unsportsmanlike conduct | -0.3 from the final score |
Remounting the podium after the exercise is over | -0.3 from final score |
Speaking to judges during the competition | -0.3 from final score |
Team gymnasts competing in the incorrect order | -1.0 from the team total on the apparatus concerned |
Failure to complete the competition due to being absent from the arena or unexcused delay or interruption of the competition | Disqualification |
Going back to the opening question, if Mina from “Stick It” competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and wore her same leotard, she would not be deducted 0.1 for a visible bra strap. The evolution of rules in women’s gymnastics has shifted away from being moral codes aimed at preserving gender expectations to more specific, practical rules that focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes. However, as with most things in gymnastics, there is still a lot more work to be done.
So much of this is arbitrary, like unsportsmanlike conduct which is never really defined by FIG. Also hilarious that only one male coach is allowed to this day, and that necklines have rules for minimum coverage while leg cuts only have rules for maximum coverage.
Just follow the rules. geez. If you think they are outdated work to change them.
Sounds like they are looking for something to take deductions,they are supposed to be watching the performance not what they have on.
I think some of these rules were devised by my great grandma, LOL. (RIP grandma!)
How much is deducted for violations of attire?
read the entire article it’s explained
Tough enough to just compete, let alone memorize a boatload of rules! I guess that’s were a good coach earns their money
As far as i can see..those leotards are up inside their butt cheaks! And the High Divers also have skimpy bathing suit bottoms! Everyone i saw on tv. Had it all up inside the butt cheaks.
And all that is allowed???
I agree. NCAA leotards are ridiculous. I didn’t see too many in the Olympics.
Quite clearly, many gymnasts wouls wear something that fits closely, is elastic & doesnt cut into any folds or make them look like they’re “offering up.”
See!!! You saw the same thing I did. It felt like it was done to please the male audience since their routines have them doing splits and other stuff with their legs open.
I think the contract uniform makers did a crappy job on design and fit and the material was not quality!
You’ve just been Trump-ed
Wow… girls can show their butt cheeks but not a tiny piece of a bra strap….don’t make sense
Seen more utt checks and cracks then neccessary, some clothing doesn’t hamper the Beech Volleyball or track and field.
What’s the purpose of attire rules for women and not for men? Men can wear long pants, shorts, etc. yet women have to wax their privates or flash their crotch or buttocks to everyone. It’s such a shame that these rules haven’t changed with the times.
No kidding!
Peace and blessings Gemini can you rewrite this for me
Gymnast have to wear lighter more breathable clothing because heavier longer material or àny small that gets in there way of doing aerial maneuvers may throw there routine off a fraction of a fraction , people commenting on professionals is crazy no one says foorball player wearing tights is offensive , I mainly the people that are not athletic to complain ,the golden rule in the Bible say judge not unlesst you be judged 1st would anyone like to be 1st?
Oh MAN, I thought it was going to be about not showing enough. Most of the female uniform stuff is about monitization & s3xu@l!z@t!on of people who want to do what it takes to fulfill this dream – this “opportunity of a lifetime” & their supporters, even parents of as young as 13, 14ish.
Just imagine how many (especially young, but any gender) gymnasts (& dancers) who may be already very body conscious & “MAY” deal with standard industry bodyshaming or may just not want things climbing up into their BCs (bits n crevices) while they’re trying to perform to teir best & nail it & not to let folks down (like their entire country), AND not sustaining ANY public (media) humiliation, injury, lifechanging/career-ending injury, or even death.
Then think about some folks who’ve never had to stick a landing or practice more than calling shots or judging telling you that you’re showing to much back & not enough buttcheek & going back to watch the slow replay of crotch-watch & buttshot video & think about how much rules change to make things more entertaining, including satisfying pervs, prudes & haters all at once & it can all go up in smoke in one stroke, even due to 1 person or group pushing some narrative or agenda.
WTH! This is NO GAME, & all we (spectators, the moey, in a way) do is ring in or chime in. We do not so much to speak up for these youth. Hard to say how we could. But, it’s sad.
NOW, imagine – I mean, LOOK UP – what happened to the women’s Olympic Volleyballers who threatened to break the dress code & wear shorts (loose or tight) that weren’t “undies in disguise” aka sandy-bikini-bottoms w/matching croptop to play a highly physical sport involving a great deal of bend over, falling, landing on one another, bumping chests, fully involved legs-preading. Spoiler alert!: they were told point-blank that they’d be ejected from the game for violating dress code, if they did. This rule is quite gender specific.
I’m so sad to think of how very many youth are just broken just trying to get there, by regular Entertainment Industry cesspool crap that has near fully consumed sports, The Olympics. And if it was already there & is just getting worse & folks already knew this, then shame on us all for sitting by & watching. Elections are the leasyt of our worries, if we’re unwilling to protect youth & our integrity except once every 2-4 years.
Sorry about the little novel here. This is disturbing enough to move me to more & far stronger words than this. I’m trying my best.
Just my humble thought. Thsnks for reading, if you did.
It’s ME❣️,
KAJM
The volleyball rules make me so angry. Men wear tank tops and knee length shorts. Women should.
Modest and hip bone … throughout this entire games, the women gymnastics dang near all had their leotards in the crack of their butts. And with all the flips and splits and opening of legs, they were performing in things. WHY? The worry is on bra strap showing more than it’s on showing the uniform fitting like a thing on their butts. And this wasn’t an issue in the 80’s or 90’s. Even worse, the swim groups have the same thing. So who’s ever in charge of this, is t doing a good job. And care more about making stupid rules versus making sure these women don’t feel exploited.
Boy, sounds like it is time for the FIG to design a uniform that all gymnasts must where. This way all competitors will look identical so judges can focus on the execution of their routines and not be distracted by a bra strap showing. Lighten up FIG. Give the gymnasts some leeway on how they dress. Remember, this is a spectator sport, so let the audience enjoy the variety of dress.