Why Isn't There A Tie-Breaker In Gymnastics?

February 05, 2007 | Gymnastics

Eliza from Lexington, SC asks....

IS THERE ANYBODY THAT QUALAFIED FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM THIS YEAR?

WHY IS IT THAT IN GYMNASTICS YOU YOU DONT HAVE A TIE-BREAKER?

Dear Eliza:

NO, no one on our team is training for the Olympics at this time. All of the girls are very focused on their NCAA competitions and since we are right in the middle of our season, no one is thinking about any other level of competition.

There is a tie breaker in collegiate gymnastics in place now for all championships. It is to count the sixth score on all four apparatus and add it in the total. There has not been a rule passed to implement the tie breaker during the regular season. I expect, though, because of the Georgia- Florida tie, that the coaches will vote to have the current tie breaker rule which is in place for championships, to apply to all competitions. If it was applied during our dual meet, Florida would have won.

Thanks for your interest.

Suzanne