Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics combines gymnastics, dance and the use of small apparatus: hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon (the rope has been removed from the international programme). The routine lasts approximately 90 seconds, takes place on a 13-by-13-metre floor accompanied by music, and is judged on physical difficulty, mastery of the apparatus and execution. The discipline developed in Europe in the early 20th century from the convergence of educational gymnastics with dance and physical expression schools; the International Federation officially recognised it in 1961; the first World Championships were held in Budapest in 1963; and its Olympic debut came at the 1984 Los Angeles Games with the individual competition, followed in 1996 by the team event. The technical level requires the apparatus to be thrown and caught whilst rotating or out of the gymnast’s field of vision, as well as balance and extreme flexibility, all in perfect synchronisation with the music. Italy, with its ‘Farfalle’ team, is one of the leading nations in the international scene. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto in 2026, the rhythmic gymnastics competition will take place on 25 and 26 August at the Palasport Campitelli in Grottaglie: one title will be awarded – the individual all-round – with the gymnasts competing on all four apparatus: hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon.

• 1Four apparatus in the competition: hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon
• 2Each routine lasts around 90 seconds on a 13x13-metre floor, accompanied by music
• 3The score is based on a combination of difficulty (body and apparatus) and execution, with penalties for errors and dropping the apparatus
• 4In the individual all-around competition, the scores from the four apparatus are added together
• 5One title in Taranto, on 25 and 26 August at the Palasport Campitelli in Grottaglie