Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) was formed In 1881.
The word derives from the Greek γυμναστική (gymnastike), fem. of γυμναστικός (gymnastikos), "fond of athletic exercises",[1] from γυμνάζειν (gymnazein), "to exercise or train" from γυμνός (gymnos), "naked",[2] because athletes exercised and competed without clothing.
The first large-scale competition was the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece. There Germany have been the dominant team by almost sweeping every medal. Five countries have participated in this event. Men's competitions included horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings, and vault.
The first international event following 1896 Olympics was held in 1903 in Antwerp, Belgium. There competed gymnasts from such places as Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This event is now considered the first World Championship. The f first men's team competition was added and held in 1904 Olympics at St. Louis.
During 1924 Olympics in France marked the beginning of what they are today. In gymnastics, men started to compete for individual Olympic titles in each gymnastic event. The first women's gymnastics team debuted during the 1928 Olympics. The first women's event during 1928 Olympics was the team combined exercise, where it was dominated by Netherlands.
