Code of Points (gymnastics)
The change stemmed from the judging controversy at 2004 Olympics in Athens, which brought the reliability and objectivity of the scoring system into question, and arguments that execution had been sacrificed for difficulty in artistic gymnastics.
It follows a similarly radical scoring change in figure skating that also was prompted by irregularities in judging at major events.
[2] Proponents of the new system believe it is a necessary step in advancing gymnastics, promoting difficult skills and increasing judging objectivity.
There has been dissent over the fact that the new Code effectively abolishes the "perfect 10" score, for many years one of the hallmarks of gymnastics.
At the 2006 World Championships, for instance, Vanessa Ferrari of Italy was able to controversially win the women's all-around title despite a fall on the balance beam, in part by picking up extra points from performing more high-difficulty skills on floor exercise.
[3][4][5] The 2006 report of the FIG's Athletes' Commission, drafted after a review and discussion of the year's events noted several areas of concern including numerous inconsistencies in judging and evaluation of skills and routines.
Skills listed in the Table may have their difficulty ratings raised or lowered after evaluation by the FIG Technical Committee.
The Technical Committee may also give specific hazardous skills artificially low difficulty ratings to deter gymnasts from trying to compete them, such as the Biles on balance beam and the Produnova on women's vault.
Gymnasts and their coaches must submit their original skill to the FIG before the meet for evaluation and possible inclusion in the Table of Elements.
These include receiving spotting (assistance) from a coach, going before the signal and not using the U-shaped safety mat for Yurchenko-style vaults.
Examples of required elements included 360 degree turns on balance beam and a backwards salto (somersault) on floor exercise.
The score was determined by subtracting any deductions for poor form, execution, steps, falls or other infractions from the SV.
