Start order and medal outcomes: An analysis of apparatus finals in men’s artistic gymnastics
Chih-Yu Chen, Kuang-Hui Chen, Kang-Hao Lu · 2026
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Description
Chih-Yu Chen leads a 2026 analysis of whether starting order affects results in men's artistic gymnastics finals. Judges might, in theory, score later performers more generously. The team analyzed apparatus finals from three Olympic Games and nine World Championships, testing links between start order, final rank, scores, and medals.
Across most apparatus, start order showed no significant link to rankings or medals. The pommel horse was the exception: gymnasts starting in the second half earned higher execution scores and more medals. Medal shares for European and non-European athletes were similar in all groupings. The judging system looks broadly fair, the authors conclude, with execution stability the pommel horse lesson.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Chih-Yu Chen, Kuang-Hui Chen, Kang-Hao Lu |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 47683 |
| LICENSE | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |