The women’s artistic individual all-around is made up of four apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
In this competition, a gymnast performs one routine on each apparatus, and the scores are added to produce a combined total. The event tests contrasting skills: vault demands explosive power, uneven bars require swinging strength and release elements, the balance beam rewards precision, and floor exercise combines tumbling with choreography and musical performance.
The all-around is different from an apparatus final, which focuses on only one event. It is also distinct from rhythmic gymnastics, where competitors use hand apparatus such as ribbon, hoop, ball, clubs or rope. In women’s artistic gymnastics, the apparatus count has been four since the modern Olympic format took shape. The individual all-around has been an Olympic women’s event since 1952, and its champion is often regarded as the most versatile gymnast in the competition.