Gymnastics

First introduced to the Special Olympics sports lineup in 1972 at the World Games in Los Angeles, gymnastics combines strength, agility, grace, and endurance. Gymnastics is also offered as a Unified sport, and more than 2,500 athletes and Unified partners train and compete each year. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, we plan to offer a total of 5 gymnastics events, including vaulting, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and all-around.

How It’s Performed:
Artistic gymnastics is performed on a floor mat or apparatus such as the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Each event showcases different skills and techniques. Gymnasts compete individually in each event and also in the all-around, where their scores across all events are combined. Routines are judged by two panels: the D (Difficulty) Panel and the E (Execution) Panel. The D Panel determines the start value based on difficulty, bonuses, and neutral deductions, while the E Panel evaluates execution and amplitude, applying specific deductions. Scores are averaged or adjusted based on the number of judges. Artistic gymnastics requires dedication, flexibility, and impeccable technique, making it a truly breathtaking spectacle for audiences.