Special Olympics New Jersey offers artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics involving short routines on different apparatus. Rhythmic gymnastics combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation.

Gymnastics is a summer sport where athletes train and compete from January through June. 


General Information

The Gymnastics Fact Sheets provide general information on the sport’s background, popularity and statistics in the Special Olympics sports world. View the Artistic Gymnastics Fact Sheet and Rhythmic Gymnastics Fact Sheet.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for gymnastics shall govern all Special Olympics competitions. View the most updated Artistic Gymnastics Rules and Rhythmic Gymnastics Rules.

Article 1 provides general principles established by the Special Olympics Official General Rules that are not found in sport-specific rules. When there is conflict between a sport’s official rules and the general rules, the general rules in Article 1 will be followed.


Artistic Gymnastics

Artistic Events
  • Floor Exercise (men and women)
  • Vaulting (men and women)
  • All-around (men and women)
  • Pommel horse (men)
  • Parallel bars (men)
  • High bar (men)
  • Rings (men)
  • Uneven bars (women)
  • Balance beam (women)
Artistic Levels
  • Level A (Women only) - Floor exercise, vaulting, wide beam, single bar
  • Levels I, II, III: Compulsory
  • Level IV: Compulsory and optional

Coaches will determine in which level of competition to place their athletes. Special Olympics gymnastics athletes must be able to safely perform all skills in their chosen level of competition. Athletes must compete at the same level in all events in order to be eligible for all around competition. Optional routines may be performed only by level IV gymnasts in all events after they perform their compulsory routines.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic Events
  • Floor exercise (women)
  • Hoop (women)
  • Ball (women)
  • Ribbon (women)
  • Rope (women)
  • All-around (women)
Rhythmic Levels
  • Levels I, II: Compulsory
  • Level III: Compulsory and optional

Upcoming Events

  • 2023 Summer Games The College of New Jersey
    2000 Pennington Rd
    Ewing Township, New Jersey 08618

Coaching Resources

Special Olympics New Jersey strives to provide additional sport training to our athletes so that they are at their best when it comes time for training and competition. Please make sure to check back regularly for new and upcoming training resources!

Coaches are encouraged to use the resources below to be as prepared as possible for gymnastics training and competition.

If you have any questions on coaching, visit our coach section for information.


Additional Gymnastics Information

Sports Registration Checklist

Read through and complete this checklist of to-dos before signing up for a local program.