Rhythmic Gymnastics is a mixture
 of ballet, juggling and acrobatics. 
 Contestants perform a dance
 routine while executing
 maneuvers with a piece of
 hand-held equipment - - a length
 of rope, ribbons, Indian clubs,
 hoops, or balls.  They perform on
 a mat similar to the one used in the
 floor exercise in traditional
 gymnastics.  Exercises are
 performed to music and
 contestants are judged on grace
 and dexterity in handling the
 equipment.

Rhythmic Gymnastics is a
 women-only event which was
 added to the Olympics in 1984 for
 the first time. In that year, with the
 Soviets boycotting the Olympics, a
 Canadian won the event, but in
 subsequent Olympics, the Soviets,
 and then the Unified Team, took
 the Gold.