Rhythmic gymnastics will once again take centre stage at The World Games in 2029, after being left out of the edition held in Chengdu, China, in 2025. The individual apparatus finals will return to the programme of the quadrennial competition, which will take place from 19 to 29 July 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany, bringing back a discipline that had been part of The World Games continuously between 2001 and 2022.
The return will also have a special significance because of the location where it will take place. Germany has a strong tradition and popularity in the discipline, an interest that has been further boosted in recent years by the outstanding performances of Darja Varfolomeev, the reigning world and Olympic champion. The German gymnast has become one of the leading international figures in rhythmic gymnastics and, notably, she is still missing a World Games title from her collection, an opportunity that could materialise in Karlsruhe.
Karlsruhe brings back a historic World Games discipline
Rhythmic gymnastics has a particular relationship with The World Games. Although it is also part of the Olympic programme, its presence at this competition puts the spotlight on an aspect of the discipline that does not feature at the Olympic Games: individual apparatus finals. While the individual all-around competition is part of the Olympic programme, The World Games give gymnasts the opportunity to compete for specific titles on each apparatus, expanding the competitive stage for a discipline defined by technical precision, artistic expression and the difficulty of its routines.
That opportunity disappeared at Chengdu 2025, after more than two decades of presence at The World Games. Now, the decision to reinstate rhythmic gymnastics is closely linked to the context of the next host city. The discipline maintains a strong connection with German audiences, while its growing popularity in the country coincides with the impact generated by Varfolomeev, whose international career has once again placed Germany among the leading nations in rhythmic gymnastics. Karlsruhe’s invitation as host city has made it possible to bring back the apparatus finals as part of the 2029 programme.
Five gymnastics disciplines will feature in 2029
The return of rhythmic gymnastics forms part of a broader programme for The World Games 2029, officially confirmed this week and comprising 36 sports. Gymnastics will have a particularly prominent presence, with five disciplines included in the programme: alongside rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, trampoline and parkour will be featured, bringing together different expressions of the sport and its associated disciplines for audiences in Karlsruhe.
The World Games have the particular distinction of bringing together disciplines that are not currently part of the Olympic programme and giving their athletes an international competition experience on a major scale. In rhythmic gymnastics, its presence at both events creates a particularly interesting relationship: while the Olympic Games focus on the individual all-around competition, The World Games allow specialists to compete for medals in the apparatus finals. In 2029, that distinction will once again be present in Karlsruhe, where gymnasts will compete for one of the few major international titles Varfolomeev has yet to win.
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