Random thoughts on artistry

There is a big dilemma in including artistic component to the judging criteria in Artistic Gymnastics. Most agree that artistry has to be included in the scoring especially to differentiate between gymnasts of similar acrobatic abilities. The problem will always be that the "big" countries with history of great results will always score higher than the none gymnastics nations even though there are very artistic and astheticly pleasing gymnasts from the lesser nations. These will always score lower due to the subjective notion of these scores / deductions. Even when a special price like the Longines Price for elegance is awarded it is usually a nice gymnast with good form and execution who is close to winning the overall price but doesn´t.
Gymnasts such as Kyla Ross and Carly Patterson certenely very nice gymnasts with a lot of power, good form throughout their routines and in both cases it could easily be argued should have won the overall price in  2003 and 2013 respectively. Neither gymnast is though overly artistic their movements and choreography are rather robotic and the choreography well rehearsed is not particulary innovative.
As for the American women why should they change what they are doing. Being so dominant in difficulty, form and power using a lot of time to fix the artistic presentation seem like a waste of time. They are anyway not being deducted in a way that the lesser nations would be if they would show up with artistry of this level. Don´t get me wrong the US girls are great. Powerful and technical but don´t really stand out with personality that is unforgettable.

Kyla clean and precise but to me not very artistic

Afanasieva at the 2012 Olympic games maybe not a lot of difference but to me a really artisticly pleasing routine with some great choreography. A really memorable routine.


I am sure that artistry can be taught just like any part of our sport how else could the soviets have gathered 6 unbelievable gymnast on their 1987 world and 1988 Olympic teams both for the men and the women. And with Moguilny and Omelianchic as team alternates their depth is unquestionable.

Mens soviet team great variations of styles all with great technique and power. One of the greatest mens team ever to put on the competition floor second only maybe to the soviet 1988 team.
The bottom line seems to be the more skills you have to pack in the less time for detail and artistry. The bigger nations will always score higher in a subjective scoring system.
So is it possible to score this important part of our wonderful sport.