The start of the 2025-2028 Olympic cycle brings significant transformations to the Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points, a key document defining the scoring rules of the sport. These adjustments, introduced by the President of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee, Noha Abou Shabana, aim to balance routines between technical difficulty and artistic expression.
The first World Cup of the new cycle, scheduled to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from April 4 to 6, 2025, will serve as the stage for gymnasts to test the new rules. These changes affect not only routine composition but also how judges evaluate critical aspects such as difficulty, skill, and execution.
MORE ARTISTRY AND LESS TECHNICAL SATURATION
Among the most notable modifications is the reduction in the maximum number of difficulty elements allowed. Gymnasts will now be able to include up to eight body difficulty (DB) elements per routine, while apparatus difficulty (DA) movements are limited to 15. Additionally, the maximum number of dynamic elements with rotation has been reduced to four, promoting greater fluidity and creativity in routines. According to Noha Abou Shabana, these measures aim to encourage “more variety and artistry in routines,” eliminating excessive combinations and prohibiting the repetition of elements to ensure diversity in every performance.
Group competitions will also see changes. In 2025, routines will feature one exercise with five ribbons and another with three balls and two hoops. This format will change in 2026, transitioning to routines with five balls and three hoops paired with two sets of clubs, a scheme that will remain in place through the 2028 Olympic Games. These adaptations aim to modernize competitions and allow gymnasts to excel in both technical and artistic aspects.