Rhythmic Gymnastics: Sport or Art?

On paper, the idea of performing a series of leaps, tumbles, and rolls with a ball or a brightly colored ribbon sounds like something you'd make up to occupy the kids on a Sunday afternoon. But when you see rhythmic gymnasts in action, you quickly realize that these finely honed, superbly trained young women aren't simply among the most impressive athletes out there -- they're also edging the line between mere sport and true art. And at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, the world gets to witness the beauty of rhythmic gymnastics yet again. Here: Naazmi Johnston of Australia performs with the ribbon dicipline during the individual apparatus final on Oct. 14.