Although artistic gymnastics ended with the individual balance beam and floor events on Monday, gymnastics is far from over.
Rhythmic gymnastics is set to take the stage, leaping into the 2024 Summer Games.
What is Rhythmic Gymnastics?
Rhythmic gymnastics, traditionally a women-only event, debuted in the Olympics with individual competitions in 1984. The group event was added at the Atlanta 1996 Games. It is now the only all-female sport in the Summer Games, as artistic swimming has started allowing men to join the teams.
The event blends traditional dance and artistic gymnastics using four apparatus: ribbon, hoop, ball, and clubs. Music, including vocal tracks, significantly enhances performances.
Europa Press/AP Photo
In individual events, gymnasts perform four routines, each with a different apparatus, lasting 75 to 90 seconds each. In group events, teams of five gymnasts from the same National Olympic Committee perform two routines: one with the same apparatus and one with mixed apparatus
Similar to other artistic gymnastics, routines are evaluated based on difficulty, artistry and execution.
Eastern European countries, especially Russia, dominate this sport. Russia has won 10 of the 17 titles since rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic event. Only Spain, Canada, and Israel have managed to break their dominance and win gold medals.
How to Watch?
From August 8 through August 10, viewers can catch all the action of the latest competition on E! and NBC. E! will air replays of events previously broadcast on NBC, while NBC continues to provide live coverage.
For those looking to stream, Peacock and Fubo offer live streaming options. New users can take advantage of Fubo’s week-long free trial to experience the coverage before committing.
Thursday
The individual all-around kicks off with the qualifying rounds, with the earliest performances starting at 4 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBC Olympics. The competition is divided into two parts, with the second half beginning at 8 a.m. ET on E!
Friday
Group qualification will begin at 4 a.m. ET on Peacock, with the second half of the competition moving to E! at 8 a.m. ET. The individual all-around final will start at 8:30 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBC Olympics. It will re-air at 12:30 a.m. ET on USA Network.
Saturday
The group final will kick off at 7 a.m. ET on CNBC, with continuing coverage at 11:15 a.m. ET on E!
Who is on Team USA?
Evita Griskenas, 23, is representing Team USA in rhythmic gymnastics at the Games. She competed in the Tokyo Games, finishing 12th in the Individual All-Around.
The Olympian is the first American rhythmic gymnast to win a silver medal and an all-around medal at the International Gymnastics Federation World Cup/World Challenge Cup competition.
![Evita Griskenas](https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2445923/evita-griskenas.png?w=1200&f=048f17eef563bb663de59442feb3617d)
Team USA
Griskenas is thrilled to have her family in the arena to watch her perform at the Games, as they couldn’t be there in 2020.
“The journey to get to this Games has been more tumultuous and challenging than expected, and it’s really developed my character and my faith in a way that is encouraging to me,” Griskenas said in an interview. “I’m really excited to have an audience this time. Rhythmic is about that energy, and I do mean it. I’m very excited to give my family the experience that they deserve.”
A standout competitor is Germany’s Darja Varfolomeev; she is a strong contender for gold. In 2023, she made history by sweeping the world championships, winning both the all-around and all four event finals. She became only the second rhythmic gymnast to achieve this accomplishment.
Bulgaria’s Stiliana Nikolova and Boryana Kaleyn are also major contenders in the Games.
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