Since those first Games in Athens the sport has undergone a process of evolution. It began as a purely male pursuit, with female participants not taking part until 1928.
Some of the disciplines were also different during those early years – rope climbing formed part of every Olympics until 1932. Tumbling, won by Rowland ‘Flip’ Wolfe of the USA, also featured in 1932. Sadly for Flip that was its one and only Olympic appearance.
In 1936, the individual apparatus events began to resemble those we see at the Games today. Competitors in Berlin took part in free exercises (floor exercises), side horse (pommel horse), rings, parallel bars, horizontal bar and long horse (vault).
The four-apparatus competitive programme for women (vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor) was introduced at the 1952 Games.
Historically, Russia, China, Japan and the US have been the powerhouses on the world stage and are likely to be the strongest nations again in London.
