Melbourne: The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said Saturday it had approved "with an overwhelming majority" a new format that will see the number of gymnasts in the team competition be reduced from five gymnasts to four for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
There were five-person teams at the 2012 London Games, and six at the 2008 Olympics.
FIG said on its website said the decisions made at its council meeting in Melbourne would open up 24 extra spaces for male and female Olympic gymnasts.
It also said up to two gymnasts from countries already qualified for the team competition would be eligible to compete in the all-around event or on their specialties based on a qualification system that includes results from the continental championships, World Cup and World Challenge Cups.
Currently, teams qualify through the world championships in the year before the Olympics, and at the subsequent test event in the host venue.
Individual gymnasts can qualify through winning worlds medals and rankings at the test event. The FIG can also offer a few invitations.
