Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics in which competitors perform short routines (ranging from approximately 30 to 90 seconds) on different apparatus, obviously less for vaulting (see lists below). They are judged out of a maximum of 10.00 points depending on the fulfilment of certain difficulty requirements and perfection of the performance of movements. The scoring of gymnastics routines is regulated in the Code of Points. (For an in-depth discussion of how gymnastics scoring works, see this Slate.com article.)

In elite competition, each competitor will compete once on each apparatus; their scores are recorded and points tallied. Medals are then awarded based on the highest team and individual scores. The next day, the best performers on each apparatus compete for medals on the apparatus on which they have qualified.

Artistic gymnastics is one of the most popular spectator sports at the Summer Olympic Games, although it is not a particularly popular participant sport, as performing at even a basic level requires very high levels of fitness and skill which take more training than many people are prepared to commit. However, the discipline of general gymnastics is geared more towards participation for fun and fitness, rather than competition, and attracts a respectable number of participants including retired gymnasts.

The apparatus used in Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), and Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) differ, with the unique men's apparatus particularly emphasising strength requirements and the women's apparatus emphasising artistry, balance and agility.

In the past, WAG was dominated by girls in their early teens, as their small size and light weight made landings softer and many movements easier. Minimum age requirements, caused by concerns about competitor welfare and audience skepticism of the relevance of a contest dominated by prepubertal girls, have changed this somewhat, but elite female gymnasts are generally in their middle to late teenage years and of below-average height and weight. Male gymnasts, because of the different emphases of their apparatus, reach their peak in their early twenties.

The world's best gymnasts have traditionally come from Romania and The Former Soviet Union. The United States is usually considered a "second power" in the sport, despite having produced some famous gymnasts, especially in the women's category. However, in recent years the U.S team has achieved greater prestige, with the 1996 Olympic team victory of the Magnificent Seven in Atlanta, and the 2003 World Team victory in Anaheim. China, Spain, Brazil and Australia are in a similar situation.

WAG apparatus include (in olympic order):

• Vault
• Uneven bars
• Balance beam
• Floor

MAG apparatus include (in olympic order):

• Floor Exercise
• Pommel Horse
• Still Rings
• Vault
• Parallel Bars or P-Bars
• Horizontal bar or High Bar

Equipment and uniforms:

• Grips
• Mats
• Uniform

• Olympic medalists in Artistic Gymnastics (men)
• Olympic medalists in Artistic Gymnastics (women)
• List of Famous Gymnasts

Argentina Gimnasia Argentina Australia Gymnastics Australia Brazil Brazilian Gymnastics Federation Canada Gymnastics Canada File:Flag of China.gif China Chinese Gymnastics Association France Federation Fracaise Gynastique Italy Federazione Ginnastica d'Italia Japan Japan Gymnastic Association Mexico Mexican Gymnastics Federation Romania Romanian Gymnastics Federation Russia Russian Sportive Aerobics Association UK Brittish Gymnastics USA USA Gymnastics NCAA Women's College Gymnastics MCAA Men's College Gymnastics