European Gymnastics Championships facts for kids

The European Gymnastics Championships are exciting sports competitions. Gymnasts from all over Europe come together to show off their amazing skills. These championships are organized by the European Union of Gymnastics. They feature different types of gymnastics, each with its own special rules and moves. The first championship was held in 1955, and since then, it has become a major event in the world of gymnastics.

Gymnastics Events You Can See

The European Gymnastics Championships include several different types of gymnastics. Each type has its own unique challenges and requires incredible strength, flexibility, and artistry. Here are the main events that are currently part of the championships:

Artistic Gymnastics: Men and Women

Artistic gymnastics is probably what most people think of when they hear "gymnastics." It involves gymnasts performing routines on different pieces of equipment.

• Men's Artistic Gymnastics: Male gymnasts compete on six different pieces of equipment. These include the floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. They show off powerful and graceful moves. The European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships started in 1955. They happen every two years, in even-numbered years.

• Women's Artistic Gymnastics: Female gymnasts compete on four pieces of equipment. These are the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Their routines are known for their elegance, precision, and daring flips. The European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships began in 1957. They also take place every two years, in even-numbered years.

• Individual Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Sometimes, there are special championships just for individual gymnasts. These events focus on individual performances rather than team scores. The European Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics Individual Championships started in 2005. They are held every two years, in odd-numbered years.

Trampoline Gymnastics

Trampoline gymnastics is all about bouncing high and performing amazing flips and twists in the air. Gymnasts use a trampoline to launch themselves upwards. The European Trampoline Championships began in 1969. These exciting competitions happen every two years, in even-numbered years.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics combines elements of ballet, dance, and gymnastics. Gymnasts perform routines with special equipment like a hoop, ball, clubs, or ribbon. They move gracefully to music, showing off their flexibility and coordination. The Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships started in 1978. These championships are held every year.

Acrobatic Gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics is a team sport where gymnasts work together to create incredible human pyramids and perform dynamic flips and balances. It requires great teamwork, strength, and trust. The European Acrobatics Championships began in 1978. They are held every two years, in odd-numbered years.

TeamGym Championships

TeamGym is a team competition that includes three parts: floor exercise, tumbling, and trampette (a small trampoline). Teams perform together, showing off synchronized moves and powerful tumbles. The European TeamGym Championships started in 1996. They take place every two years, in even-numbered years.

Aerobic Gymnastics

Aerobic gymnastics involves fast-paced, continuous movement. Gymnasts perform routines that combine aerobic dance steps with strength and flexibility elements. It's very energetic and requires a lot of stamina. The Aerobic Gymnastics European Championships began in 1999. They are held every two years, in odd-numbered years.

Medal Winners: A Look at the Champions

Over the years, many countries have won medals at the European Gymnastics Championships. A medal table keeps track of how many gold, silver, and bronze medals each country has earned.

• Countries are ranked by the number of gold medals first, then silver, and then bronze.
• Only results from senior competitions are counted, not junior events.
• Some older results, especially for acrobatic and trampoline events, might not be fully known.
• Countries that no longer exist, like the Soviet Union (URS) or Czechoslovakia (TCH), are shown in italics.

Many nations have celebrated victories, with countries like Russia, Romania, and Ukraine often winning many medals across different gymnastics types. The championships are a chance for gymnasts to become European champions and for their countries to show their strength in this beautiful sport.

See also

• Gymnastics at the European Games