Optional Competition

Definition: Optional competition is a type of gymnastics meet in which all athletes perform their own choice of gymnastics routines. This is in contrast to compulsory competition, in which all athletes perform the same routines.

Currently at the Olympic level, all competitions in artistic gymnastics are optional -- compulsory competition was eliminated from the Olympics after 1996.

Also Known As: Optionals

Examples:
Dominique Dawes' optional floor routine at the 1992 Olympics

Shannon Miller performs her optional floor routine at the 1992 Olympics


Go to the Glossary of Gym Terms