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Gymnastics
Photo from
Go For It! (p. 51). Orlando, FL:
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publisher. |
|
Gymnastics is an
official sport of the Special Olympics World Games. Men compete in
artistic events, and women compete in both artistic and rhythmic events. |
Athlete Eligibility and Classification
Gymnasts who compete in Special Olympics events must
have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation. Athletes with Down syndrome
who have atlantoaxial instability may not participate in artistic gymnastics
events, and they may not use acrobatic moves in rhythmic gymnastics Level IV
optional routines.
Athletes are classified
according to a process called divisioning in which athletes are
grouped by ability levels for competition. Divisioning is described on the
SOI web site at
http://www.specialolympics.org. Click on "games and competitions," then
choose "general rules" from the drop-down menu, then go to "Section V -
Special Olympics Divisioning."
In gymnastics, the divisions
are defined by levels. Level A and B events may be contested at local,
regional, and national competitions. Level I, II, III, and IV events are
contested at the Special Olympics World Games, as well as local, regional,
and national competitions. Coaches are encouraged to enter gymnasts in
events in which they can compete safely and successfully.
 | Level A - beginners with mobility problems (compete
from a sitting position in rhythmic gymnastics) |
| Level B - beginners with mobility problems (compete
from a standing position in rhythmic gymnastics) |
| Level I - beginning compulsory routine |
| Level II - intermediate compulsory routine |
| Level III - advanced compulsory routine |
| Level IV - advanced Level III compulsory routine
plus an optional routine |
Events
Artistic gymnastics events
include:
| Men's events (Levels I, II, III, IV) - floor
exercise, pommel horse, rings, vaulting, parallel bars, horizontal bar,
and all-around (combination of six event scores), as well as Unified
Sports in the same events. |
| Women's events (Levels I, II, III, IV) -
vaulting, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and all-around
(combination of four event scores), as well as Unified Sports in the
same events. |
Rhythmic gymnastics events
include:
| Women's events (Level I) - rhythmic floor
exercise, hoop, ball, ribbon, and all-around, as well as Unified
Sports in the same events. |
| Women's events (Levels II, III, IV) - rope,
hoop, ball, ribbon, and all-around, as well as Unified Sports in the
same events. |
| Women's group events (4-6 gymnasts per group) -
rhythmic floor exercise and ribbon, as well as Unified Sports in the
same events. |
Events for novice gymnasts
include:
| Mixed gender artistic events (Level A only) -
vaulting, wide beam, floor exercise, tumbling, and all-around
(combination of four event scores), as well as Unified Sports in the
same events. |
| Mixed gender rhythmic events (Level A -
performed while sitting) - rope, hoop, ball, ribbon, and all-around,
as well as Unified Sports in the same events. |
| Mixed gender rhythmic events (Level B -
performed while standing) - rope, hoop, ball, ribbon, and
all-around, as well as Unified Sports in the same events. |
Playing Area and
Equipment
Standard gymnastics
performing areas and equipment are used for Special Olympics artistic
gymnastics events; however, there are some modifications used for various
events and competition levels.
| The height of the uneven bars, parallel
bars, and high bar may be adjusted for each athlete. |
| The balance beam for Level A events is 6
inches wide and no more than 4 inches high. Gymnasts in Levels I
and II compete on a beam that is 4 inches wide and 12 inches high.
Gymnasts in Levels III and IV compete using a regulation balance
beam. |
Rules
Special Olympics gymnastics rules are based upon the
rules of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastiques (FIG). The FIG rules
are posted in the rules section of the FIG web site at
http://www.fig-gymnastics.com.
The skills that must be performed and the duration of Special Olympics
gymnastics routines are specified in the SOI gymnastics rules, found on the
SOI web page at
http://www.specialolympics.org. Click on "sports," then choose
"gymnastics" from the drop-down rules menu.
SOI rules include appropriate modifications for
gymnasts with vision loss, hearing loss, or mobility impairments. In
addition, the SOI rules place a strong emphasis on athlete safety. For
example, additional may be added to the performing area for safety, and
coaches must remain with athletes during apparatus events to "spot" athletes
during their routines. Links
Page prepared by Gail Dummer |
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