SPECIAL OLYMPICS GYMNASTICS COMPETITIONS

Gymnastics Committee Over a year before the games the committee is often formed. Members meet with each other and with members in the same position in other sports.

Signage & “look” of the Venue Pipe and drape, carpeting, plants and appropriate equipment for men & women help to make the event look special. Signage and banners are universal for all Venues…

The “look” of the venue cont’d… The judges table and head tables have “skirts” and flowers… The head table is elevated for better visibility…

The “look” of the venue cont’d. Behind the scenes, sport specific decorations may be added…

Check In Area As gymnasts and coaches arrive at the venue, they check in and pick up any mail from their mailbox. Gymnasts and coaches use a different entrance than spectators and media.

Mailboxes Mailboxes include results, schedules for the day’s events and any messages…

Bulletin Boards There are 2 bulletin boards: –One for the parents and spectators –Another for athletes and coaches (behind the scenes) –Schedules and results are clearly posted.

Programs Gymnastics produces it’s own program for spectators and media. Coaches & athletes like them for memorabilia…

After check in… Once a gymnast has “checked in” they proceed to the changing area…or just wait for open warm up. A brief coaches meeting starts each session…

Warm Up Timed warm ups are used. Gymnasts proceed backwards from their last event to their first event in warm up. Warm up may be in a practice facility or on the actual competition floor.

The Parade Each competition session starts with a parade of the gymnasts out onto the floor after they have completed their warm up. Often, the volunteers working the venue make a “funnel” that the gymnasts walk through, and cheer the gymnasts on…

Parade continued… The Judges are announced and parade out… If an inspirational song is sung prior to competition, everyone could get “in the spirit” and join the singing …

Competition Rotations In preliminaries, gymnasts rotate by country. Two or more countries may be rotating together. There are never more than 8 gymnasts in a group, however.

Competition Rotations In Finals, gymnasts are grouped by their score, with no more variation than 15% between the scores. (see divisioning) Each group would ideally have between 3 and 8 gymnasts. For practical reasons, the gymnasts rotate in finals with their Floor Exercise group. Sometimes, groups are combined for rotations (i.e.. Two groups of 3 are combined).

COACHES Coaches rotate with their gymnasts so they are prepared to spot a gymnast. During finals, Coaches need to let the judges know if they have gymnasts on two events simultaneous. In that case, the judges will judge out of order for one of them, so the coach can be present for both.

VOLUNTEERS ON THE FLOOR Escorts walk each group out in the parade and from event to event. Timers time falls and optional routines that need to be timed. Score Flashers flash the average score at each event. Runners bring the groups score to the score table. Equipment manager(s) help with equipment changes…

Volunteers on the Floor cont’d The MC keeps the audience informed and knowledgeable about what is going on. He/she can create excitement when the gymnasts rotate.

Volunteers on the Floor cont’d The head table includes the Meet Director, Music Coordinator, and Technical Delegate/rules committee. They are often linked via a communication system to each other and the floor manager, who is floating around the room. The head table should be elevated for better visibility.

Judges The head male and female judges float around the room… We have traditionally used two or four judges per event. (see judging section of rules)

Behind the scenes… The computer room will house separate computers for the women’s and men competition. Score sheets are color coded, so they are brought to the correct computer. It is prudent to have a back up system.

Behind the scenes… If there is a separate warm up area, a floor manager and volunteers/timers are needed to run the area. Warm up for the next session may begin before the previous competition is over.

Clinics and Demonstrations Clinics and demonstrations add to the knowledge of coaches and gymnasts. They may be scheduled between sessions or at the Olympic Park area… Clinics may include new rules, demonstrations of trampoline, sport aerobics, rhythmic gymnastics, unified gymnastics, tumbling, etc.

Gymnastics Show Traditionally, one evening is allotted in the schedule for our Gymnastics Show. Special Olympians, celebrities, local clubs and sometimes the judges and volunteers alternate performing for the gymnasts and spectators. Everyone is invited. It is wonderful…

Gymnastics Show cont’d Picture from the Gymnastics Show at the 2003 World Games.

“Backstage” Gymnasts may have time to wait for awards, lunch, their session, etc. and a place for them to relax and eat is needed… At the end of a room full of tables and chairs is a “special chair”…(2003 Worlds)

Backstage continued… School children decorated a dividing wall between the eating area and changing area with Good Luck cards…

First Aid First aid volunteers must be clearly identified and be given a place to be stationed. Water must be available all of the time.

Media Designated areas are set aside for media on both the men’s and women’s side of the competition floor…

Celebrities & Honored Guests There must be members of the gymnastic team that will welcome and seat any honored guests or celebrities…

Awards The awards stand is best placed in a large room near the competition floor. A member of the gymnastic team must coordinate with the awards committee… Awards are begun after the last gymnast has competed in that session.

Awards continued… Teams should be organized by country (signage needed) in the back of awards, so the many volunteers lining the gymnasts up can find them. Awards can take as long as the competition and must be efficiently run (as one group steps off the stand the next group should be walking up).

Gymnasts love to show off their medals after competing…

When it is all over…. Clean up, relax and reflect on the enthusiasm of the gymnasts and coaches and how proud they and their families are!

Created & Photos by Kate F. Hickie Special Olympics coach since 1971 USA Gymnastics Board of Directors years SOI Technical Delegate – 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 SOI Sport Director for Gymnastics Emeritus Head of committees that have created all Gymnastics rules and judging for Special Olympics since 1984.