Gymnastics at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

The trampoline events were held at the North Greenwich Arena from 3 to 4 August; the artistic events were also held there from 28 July to 7 August. The rhythmic gymnastics events took place at Wembley Arena from 9 to 12 August. Qualification was based on the 2011 World Championships in rhythmic gymnastics (Montpellier, France), artistic gymnastics (Tokyo, Japan), trampoline (Birmingham, United Kingdom), and Olympic test events in January 2012 at the North Greenwich Arena.

Reader's Guide

The 2012 gymnastics competition marked several historic achievements. China was the most successful nation, winning five gold medals and 12 total. Brazil and South Korea won their first gold medals in gymnastics at the Summer Olympics. Yevgeniya Kanayeva of Russia became the first back-to-back Olympic champion in the individual all-around in rhythmic gymnastics. The men's artistic team all-around final was controversial: judges were booed by the crowd after Japan's Kōhei Uchimura's pommel horse score affected the medal standings of Japan, Great Britain, and Ukraine. The events drew attention to judging precision and the growing global reach of gymnastics.

Did You Know?

• China was the most successful nation with five gold medals and 12 total.
• The men's artistic team all-around final was controversial when judges were booed after a score revision moved Japan to silver, not after Uchimura's pommel horse score itself.