Rio Olympics 2016: Why don’t male gymnasts compete to music like their female counterparts do?
HAVE you ever noticed the difference between men and women’s gymnastics events during the Olympics?
While female athletes perform their routines to music, male events do not have the same requirement.
Due to Olympic regulations from 1936, women’s floor routines are required to be presented alongside music.
While female athletes compete to be crowned the most graceful, the men are expected to showcase their strength, a report from reveals.
To highlight the poise of the women’s routines, the musical element was added.
In comparison, the main focus of the men’s contest is the athleticism, with a lot less focus on dancing.
Shrewd viewers might have spotted the difference when witnessing Team GB Olympians Max Whitlock and Amy Tinkler scoop victory.
This year, a number of viewers have spoken out against the different expectations for male and female gymnasts.
One Twitter user asked: “Does it bother anyone else that women’s floor routine REQUIRES music and dance moves but men’s doesn’t?”
Another agreed, added: “Yes it bothers me! & The women have to wear full makeup & unsuitable clothing while doing highly dangerous routines.”
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Other commenters claimed that the men’s contest was far less exciting, insisting that they should be forced to include the same elements.
One social media user said: “I demand that the Olympics let men’s gymnastics have music and fancy outfits like the women do.
“Make it more fun. Less pyjama pants.”
Another admitted: “They don’t make the men’s gymnasts do the flips to music so I’m playing my own music over it to make it more fun.”