Men 2026 update Floor Artistry requirements (Heath Thorpe amendment-JK)

[JaJa]

People get far too hung up over "but its called artistic gymnastics".

I think its that people misinterpret the term "artistic gymnastics" and its actual meaning. It was originally used just to distinguish it from the gymnastics used in military training. Hence, the word "artistic" does not have to be taken literally in the name of the sport "artistic gymnastics"

And isn't the word "artistic" completely absent in slavic language countries where its called "sport" or "sportive" gymnastics? If we take that name literally then we should eliminate the artistic component altogether.

 

[KristyJ]

For me, beam and parallel bars are the two events that would be difficult. I know womens uneven bars used to be parallel pars at different heights, so women would definitely find something to do, but the skills that men do dont work because of womens larger hips and less wide shoulders. Conversely, I struggle to see men doing beam because of the risk of pain/injury to the groin area. They would probably need a cup like judo etc. Since splitting the beam is a very common way to fall, with both leaps and acrobatics, that seems a recipe for disaster.

I think athletes as diverse as Johanna Quaas, Jade Carey, Ash Watson, and Kenzo Shirai might dispute the impossibility of those events physically, especially the hips part. I will, however, agree that protective gear isn't a bad idea in many cases.

 

[JaJa]

Conversely, I struggle to see men doing beam because of the risk of pain/injury to the groin area. They would probably need a cup like judo etc. Since splitting the beam is a very common way to fall, with both leaps and acrobatics, that seems a recipe for disaster.

Totally agree. Beam in MAG is a total nonstarter.

 

[rlayt]

I’ve seen a guy doing women’s bb. Under the AAU.

 

[QuietColours]

Conversely, I struggle to see men doing beam because of the risk of pain/injury to the groin area. They would probably need a cup like judo etc. Since splitting the beam is a very common way to fall, with both leaps and acrobatics, that seems a recipe for disaster.

I've had a number of male gymnasts inform me that splitting the beam is much less painful, on average, than splitting a pbar, which is not an uncommon accident.

Eta: NAIGC lists 93 athletes who competed the decathlon at NAIGC Nationals this year.

 

[KristyJ]

Totally agree. Beam in MAG is a total nonstarter.

Kenzo Shirai might beg to differ

 

[MaryClare]

Totally agree. Beam in MAG is a total nonstarter.

It isn’t. You’re only thinking about beam in the wag form that we know. Men’s beam could be completely different to that. Just like men’s floor is very different to women’s.

And isn't the word "artistic" completely absent in slavic language countries where it’s called "sport" or "sportive" gymnastics? If we take that name literally then we should eliminate the artistic component altogether.

No. We call rhythmic gymnastics artistic gymnastics. Xудожественная гимнастка/khudozhestvennaya gimnastika

 

[JaJa]

No. We call rhythmic gymnastics artistic gymnastics. Xудожественная гимнастка/khudozhestvennaya gimnastika

My point is that what we call “artistic gymnastics” is not called “artistic gymnastics” in countries with Slavic languages. That they use that term for what we call “rhythmic gymnastics” is beside the point — actually it underscores my point.

 

[Denn]

Conversely, I struggle to see men doing beam because of the risk of pain/injury to the groin area. They would probably need a cup like judo etc. Since splitting the beam is a very common way to fall, with both leaps and acrobatics, that seems a recipe for disaster.

Disagree. Guys hit their groins on parallel bars and pommels. And those are smaller and not padded. Not to mention, at least with beam, you can train with mats on the side to minimize some risk.

I also think that the physical characteristics that people like to cite as differences between men and women wouldn't really come into play on beam as much — were they equally willing, men could compete against women on beam and fairness wouldn't be a big question. Maybe the main issue is that most men wouldn't want to do all the choreo and split leaps/jumps/hops. But maybe the rules could be adjusted. I do think there are a lot of strength-balance-type elements and pommel-horse-type moves that men might exploit more.

I have to admit that I have always thought beam should require hold elements (2 seconds) as part of demonstrating balance.