London 2009 - opening the new Olympic cycle

London 2009 will be a benchmark event for the new Olympic cycle (2009 - 2012) leading to the Olympic Games, which London will host in 2012, with The O2 hosting both the Basketball and Gymnastic events.

By tradition, these World Championships give a clear idea about the transformation in the ranks of stars - which established gymnasts will stay and defend their positions for 2012 and which new names should be noted in advance of the London Games.

The fact that the Championships in 2009 do not include the Team event gives an even better possibility to focus on the individuals.

Competition Format and participants

London 2009 will start with the Qualification round (Competition 1) which will outline the top 24 Men and Women who will proceed to the Individual All-around Finals (Competition 2). The top eight competitors on each piece of the 6 apparatus for men and 4 apparatus for women, will make a challenge for the medals in the Apparatus Finals (Competition 3). No scores from the Qualification round are carried over to the Finals.

The last World Championships of the competition format that will apply in London 2009 was held in Melbourne AUS 2005 where 189 male and 95 female gymnasts representing 67 National Federations took part.

Competition Schedule

Tuesday 13th October
Men's Qualifying Competition
10am - 10pm

Wednesday 14th October
Women's Qualifying Competition
10am - 10pm

Thursday 15th October
Men's All Round Final
6.30pm - 9pm

Friday 16th October
Women's All Round Final
6.30pm - 9pm

Saturday 17th October
Apparatus Finals
Men's Floor, Pommel Horse & Rings
Women's Vault & Uneven Bars
1pm - 4.30pm

Sunday 18th October
Apparatus Finals
Men's Vault, Parallel Bars & High Bar
Women's Balance Beam & Floor
1pm - 4.30pm

Event partners