New leotards rule in code of points: http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/LOB/media/MEDIA14990.pdf From International Gymnastics Federation: May 31, 2007 Allowed: leotards with long sleeves (must be skin tight) long tights (must be skin tight) full-length one pice leotard (unitard) (must be skin tight) For reasons of safety: can't cover face or head any other "dress" which is not skin tight is not allowed with the exception of the skirt in Rhythmic Gymnastics as defined in the RG Code of Points Since it's not listed that skin tight shorts aren't allowed in that last section, I guess it is... The reason for the change in code of point: "To allow more accessibility to competiion, all women's desciplines harmonize their uniform rules to allow the following" Awesome! With this, should come also changes in those clubs that require you practice in just leotards.

Cool!! :D It will be great to wear those bike shorts in competitions! It seems from this it is allowed because it just says "any other 'dress' which is not skin tight is not allowed with the exception of the skirt in Rhythmic Gymnastics as defined in the RG Code of Points" - so if it's skin tight it's allowed!! Anyone know if this already carries over to USA Gymnastics and competitions for Levels 4-10/Elite?

Awesome! It would make sense to allow the same thing in the US too. Lots of the girls already practice in bike shorts. To those people who misread the letter: it doesn't say that it is required to wear long sleeve leotards - just that it's an option!! Sleeveless leotards are still allowed. And to those people who judge on what you think the rule should be based on what looks better to you and you're not a gymnast - think about the gymnasts and what is better for them!! Who wants to wear long sleeves in competition when it is soooo hot and you're so sweaty...this is a sport, not a fashion show - you want to wear what is comfortable and what you like, that's how it should be.

Yay to the new rule! It will be sooooooooooooooooo cool to wear bike shorts in competition too! The long sleeve leos aren't just uncomfortable when it's hot hot, you can get hot and sweaty in like temps. in the 70's too or upper 60's, it's the hot and sweaty issue and also it's just not comfortable, I think bike shorts rather than long tight pants are more comfortable too. Comfort in a sport is very important. I like sleevless leos with shorts - seems like a lot of gymnasts do as that is what they choose to workout/practice in when they have a choice. Liukin, Memmel, and Bieger even did the Visa promo in a sleevless leo and shorts too.

Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

So cool! It will be great to have the USA agree to the same rules instead of the 'it has to be this much above your hip or 2 tenths off... ' It will be interesting what those gym clubs that don't allow the girls to wear shorts during practice say! Maybe they will try to keep their rule the same in their club?!

Posted it on GymnasticsCoaching.com http://gymnasticscoaching.com/?p=1885 With any luck, in a year or two, all gymnasts will have the option to wear tights or even tight shorts. FIG did something right for a change. (I should write the date down on my calendar.)

[quote]It reminds me of the time I fought for Canadian College club team girls to have the option to wear lycra

I was coach of the University of Saskatchewan Gymnastics "Club" (not team) in the late 1990s. That's in Canada where College Team gymnastics had been cancelled. We made up our own rules whenever we had dual meets with other clubs. Bike shorts were allowed back then.

Cool new rule! lol it rhymes too! :D