London 2012 rhythmic gymnastics is the third of its kind to make it to the list of Google doodles featured during the Olympics.
The first rhythmic gymnastics related Google doodle was posted during the 2004 Olympics held at Athens. The doodle depicted a female gymnast carrying a ribbon doing a back-flip. The female formed the second O in the Google logo, while the ribbon extended to form the second G.
Typically, only women compete in rhythmic gymnastics, a sport that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. The sport involves the performance of five separate routines with the use of five apparatus--ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs, rope--on a floor area, with a much greater emphasis on the aesthetic rather than the acrobatic.
There are also group routines consisting of 5 gymnasts and 5 apparatuses of their choice. Rhythmic routines are scored out of a possible 30 points; the score for artistry (choreography and music) is averaged with the score for difficulty of the moves and then added to the score for execution.
The rhythmic gymnastics events at 2004 Olympics were held at the Galatsi Olympic Hall from 26-29 August. Russia won the team event, with Italy and Bulgaria coming in second and third place respectively. Russia's Alina Kabaeva won the individual gold, while her compatriot Irina Tchachina won the silver. Ukraine's Anna Bessonova came third.
The second rhythmic gymnastics related Google doodle was for the Beijing Olympics, with the roles reversed - the gymnast became the second G, while the ribbon became the second O.
During 2008 Olympics, the rhythmic gymnastics events were held at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium on 21-24 August. Russia defended their team crown, while hosts China won the silver. Belarus came in third. Yevgeniya Kanayeva of Russia won the individual gold, Inna Zhukova of Belarus the silver and Anna Bessonova of Ukraine came in third.
This is likely the penultimate London 2012 Google doodle, with Sunday's closing ceremony rounding up the Olympics related doodles.
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