Rhythmic gymnastics is an individual sport that involves manipulating apparatuses like clubs, hoops, balls, ribbons, and ropes while incorporating elements of ballet, gymnastics, and dance. It originated in Russia in the 1950s and became an official Olympic sport in 1984. Competitions are judged on skills with the apparatuses and the choreography covering the floor to music. Top rhythmic gymnasts need balance, flexibility, coordination and strength to earn points from judges for their performance and apparatus handling.