2020 Olympic Team Size Reduction: Our Thoughts

The FIG recently announced that starting in 2020, the Olympic team size will be reduced from five members to four in an effort to include more individual athletes. Countries with more depth can try and qualify two additional gymnasts through World Cups, Challenge Cups, and Continental Championships. These athletes can compete for the all-around and event titles however, they can not be apart of the team competition.

Having only four members on an Olympic team would mean that the team final format is four athletes up and three scores count. So every member on the team must be an all-arounder. For the United States, coming up with four all-around competitors is an easy task. They are capable of putting up four athletes who can contribute mid-high scores on every event. Granted, an athlete that they are putting up in the team competition might not be the best in the US on that particular event (those athletes would likely be competing as one of two individuals- so they wouldn't be left at home.) but she can more than likely put up a decent score for the team. I'm more concerned for the countries that really rely on using event specialists in a team competition. A country like Great Britain for example may have one or two girls who are considered "true" all-arounders and the rest of the team would normally be comprised of event specialists. The same goes for many of the countries outside of the "big four". You don't see them producing four or more strong all-around athletes. They rely on specialists to boost the team score and this new rule is going to change that.

However, I think having the opportunity to qualify two individuals to the Olympics is awesome because it still allows up to six girls to compete for a given nation. If a gymnast is truly one of the best vaulters in the world and can contend for a medal- she should be able to earn herself an individual spot no problem. I don't agree that reducing the team size to four members is hurting an event specialists chances. This new rule is promoting all-around athletes without eliminating event specialists. I see it as more opportunities for everyone!

If you want to make the four member team, you have to really focus in on being more consistent and clean on every event. I think that's one of the positive outcomes of this new rule. I don't think you have to be the best in the world on each event (unless you're Simone Biles!) to make the team, but you should have at least two or three strong events and be working to make the weaker events more strong and more consistent. Let's look at Kyla Ross for example. Granted, she doesn't have the most difficulty in the world on any event, but she is clean and consistent and you know you can rely on her on any event if need be. Vault, bars, beam or floor; you know you can put her up and get a good score for the team. If you have a few events that are strong but one really weak event (think Alicia Sacramone) then you would have the opportunity to qualify as a specialist and just compete the events you're medal-worthy on.

In the end I think reducing the team size will force athletes to work closely on the events where their consistency/execution suffers. Any athlete who doesn't make the four member team could potentially still have a chance at an Olympic medal for her individual performances. After all, most gymnasts don't train their entire life to just be a team champion, they want to be an all-around champion or an event champion. I think this new rule is giving more gymnasts the opportunity to do just that.

What are your thoughts on the team size reduction? Feel free to tweet us or leave a comment below!