By Sara Dayley

St. Louis (KSDK) -- The term artistic gymnastics was first used in the 19th century and it wasn't until 1928 that the Olympics added the women team competition followed by individual competition that started in 1952.

The gymnasts competing in London make it look effortless. They're smooth, powerful and impressive, but effortless couldn't be further from the reality of the sport. Gymnastics requires incredible amount of strength, backed by strenuous training, as each gymnast strives for perfection.

Depending on the event, it could make or break their position on the podium, separated by possibly just a hundredths of a point.

As for the team competition, there's a fairly new scoring system often called, 3 up 3 score, which also adds a bit more pressure to the competitors. Scoring changes also means it's no longer possible to achieve a "perfect 10" like Mary Lou Retton and Nadia Comaneci.

The old scoring system, which had been used for 80 years, was replaced at the 1996 games and replaced with a system that has no ceiling. Ignited in part by the judging errors at the 2004 Olympics, the International Gymnastics Federation, known as the F.I.G., changed the system to better differentiate one gymnast's routines from another's.

Under the new scoring system, there are no inquiries or protests allowed.

Breaking down the score is a little complicated for the average viewer, but there is a slightly easier way to look at it. The more daring the routine, there is the possibility of a higher score.

You can watch the women's gymnastics take their shot at flipping for gold in the team finals during Olympics coverage Tuesday night, on NewsChannel 5.

 

KSDK