“IT'S ALL ABOUT STYLE”: THE CHALLENGES AND AESTHETIC EXPERIENCES OF MEN IN RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS +

Abstract

Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) is a sport created specifically for women. Since 2005 we have noticed the insertion of men in RG competitions, mainly in European countries. We carried out this research to understand this relationship between a sport created for women, whose dominance is still theirs, and the appearance of men who practice GR. We interviewed 15 participants among men and women involved with the sport and proceeded to the Thematic Analysis (TA) for the treatment and analysis of the data obtained. We found that men have little representation in practice even in countries that support the sport and their inclusion in official competitions, as well as the future of athletes who have the potential to pursue a career, depends on the FIG. The relationship between the series’ music, costumes and chosen movement styles must overcome the ideas of masculinity and femininity and encompass the potential that each body has available for the practice of RG.