The balance beam is a rectangular artistic gymnastics apparatus and an event performed using the apparatus. Both the apparatus and the event are sometimes simply referred to as "beam". The English abbreviation for the event in gymnastics scoring is BB. The beam is a small, thin beam which is typically raised from the floor on a leg or stand at both ends. The balance beam is only performed competitively by female gymnasts. Beams are usually covered with leather-like material and are only four inches wide.
Daniela Silivaș performing on the balance beam at the 1987 World Championships
Chinese gymnast Wei Xiaoyuan competing on the beam at the 2019 Junior World Championships.
Daniele Hypólito performing on the balance beam in 2007
Dorina Böczögő performing a one arm press hold during her mount, 2012.
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics in which athletes perform short routines on different apparatuses. The sport is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), which assigns the Code of Points used to score performances and regulates all aspects of elite international competition. Within individual countries, gymnastics is regulated by national federations such as British Gymnastics and USA Gymnastics. Artistic gymnastics is a popular spectator sport at many competitions, including the Summer Olympic Games.
A gymnast performing on the parallel bars in 1962.
Image: D Hypolito Vault
Image: 2018 10 14 Gymnastics at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics – Boys' Artistic Gymnastics – Apparatus finals – Vault (Martin Rulsch) 176
Image: 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships Vault Ksenia Afanasyeva 08
