World Gymnastics

World Gymnastics is the main organization that oversees gymnastics competitions all around the world. It was started on July 23, 1881, in Liège, Belgium, and is the oldest international sports organization still in use today. Originally, it was called the European Federation of Gymnastics and included just three countries: Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. In 1921, it opened up to countries outside of Europe and changed its name. By December 2025, it became known as World Gymnastics.

The organization is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and it creates the rules for how gymnasts are judged. These rules are called the Code of Points. World Gymnastics looks after many different kinds of gymnastics, including artistic gymnastics, which has separate groups for men and women, as well as rhythmic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, trampolining, double mini trampoline, tumbling, and parkour. It also helps decide if gymnasts are old enough to compete in big events like the Olympics.

Organization

World Gymnastics is managed by a president and vice presidents, with big meetings called Congress every two years. There are also special groups like the Executive Committee and technical committees for different gymnastics styles.

In 2023, 161 countries were part of World Gymnastics, with some groups from Europe, Pan-America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. More than 30,000 athletes take part in events organized by World Gymnastics, and most of them are girls.

Further information: International sporting sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Period	Name	Country
1881–1924	fr:Nicolaas Cupérus	Belgium
1924–1933	Charles Cazalet	France
1933–1946	Count Adam Zamoyski	Poland
1946–1956	Count Felix Goblet d’Alviella	Belgium
1956–1966	Charles Thoeni	Switzerland
1966–1976	Arthur Gander	Switzerland
1976–1996	Yuri Titov	Soviet Union  Russia
1996–2016	Bruno Grandi	Italy
January 2017 – present	Morinari Watanabe	Japan

Tournaments

Main article: List of gymnastics competitions

World Gymnastics organizes many exciting competitions for gymnasts of all ages. Some of the biggest events include the World Gymnastics Championships, which have different categories like Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline and Tumbling, Aerobic Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics, and Parkour. There are also World Cup series and World Challenge Cup series in several gymnastics styles.

Other important competitions include the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games, the World Games, and the Junior World Gymnastics Championships for younger athletes. World Gymnastics also used to organize events like the Four Continents Gymnastics Championships and test events for the Olympic Games.

Age eligibility rules

Main article: Age requirements in gymnastics

World Gymnastics sets rules about how old gymnasts must be to compete at the senior level. These rules help make sure young gymnasts are safe. Sometimes, these rules have caused debates, and there have been situations where people tried to change their ages to meet the requirements.