Para-gymnastics

Para-gymnastics, also known as disability gymnastics and para gymnastics, is a discipline of gymnastics for disabled athletes. It was recognized as an official Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) discipline in October 2024.

Para-gymnastics

Highest governing body	Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG)
Characteristics
Contact	No contact
Mixed-sex	No, separate
Venue	Gymnasium
Presence
Paralympic	No

History

The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) maintained a Gymnastics for All committee. In 2018, they expanded the Gymnastics for All program by forming an alliance of gymnastics federations. Countries such as the United States have held team competitions teams of athletes with disabilities, while countries like Great Britain have held championships for individual competitors.^[1]

In October 2024, FIG recognized para-gymnastics as an official FIG discipline.^[2] FIG defined the discipline as "Competitive Gymnastics performed on different pieces of apparatus for those gymnasts with approved Para classification," and approved it for artistic gymnastics.^[3] As of 2024, para-gymnastics is limited to national competition.^[4][5]

Great Britain

Great Britain had a national para-gymnastics squad, but it disbanded in 2013.^[5] In 2016, more than 200 clubs affiliated with British Gymnastics officially offered disability gymnastics programs, representing over 1,500 disabled members. In 2020, British Gymnastics officially formed the British Gymnastics Disability Gymnastics Panel.^[5] British Gymnastics is working on a FIG Code of Points for Men's and Women's Artistic Para-Gymnastics, and on creating a classification structure, with the goals of hosting the first FIG Para-Gymnastics World Championships in 2027 and Paralympic inclusion in 2032.^[6][7]

Notable para-gymnasts

• Jen Bricker-Bauer^[1]
• Alex Buesnel
• Carol Johnston
• Stacie Ridley^[8]
• Oli Kettleborough^[5]