Rio Olympics: Become an instant expert at trampoline

By Justin Piercy

Canada has never left a Summer Games without a medal in trampoline, but you still don't know a Rudy from a Randy.

Don't worry – before the first bounce in Rio this summer, we've gathered everything you need to know to make you an instant expert at trampoline.

Quick facts

• The trampoline event was added to the Olympic program during the 2000 Games in Sydney.
   
• The 2016 edition will feature the same two events that have been featured since its inception: men's and women's.
   
• Canada's Rosie MacLennan is the defending Olympic women's champion.

• Competitors are awarded points from 11 judges for various parts of their routine, including: height, execution, technique, and body control.
   
• The event has two rounds: qualifying and final. In the qualifying round, competitors go through a compulsory routine and an optional routine.
   
• The compulsory routine must contain a set of skills in a certain order, while the optional routine are made up of any 10 recognized skills. The top eight athletes following the qualifying round advance to the final round.

Gear up!

What do trampoline athletes need to succeed? Let's begin with the tangible items: the gear.

The trampoline – the modern trampoline was created in the 1930s, and is composed of a metal frame, springs, and a bed made of nylon.

Shoes/socks – no foot coverings, no routine. Sorry pal, you're disqualified.

Mats – for the protection of the athletes, who reach heights upwards of 10 metres in the air, protective mats are placed around the sides of the trampoline. No one wants to end up like Otto.

Canada's competition

Canadian trampoline athletes have come home with a medal in every Games the sports has been featured, but MacLennan's gold in London was the first for the country (and only gold of those Games for Canada).

The biggest competition has come from China, whose athletes have won eight medals in the last three Games, including three gold from Beijing and London.

Shareable fact: Canada has won 25 per cent of all Olympic medals handed out in trampoline.

Speak the language

Here are five terms to sprinkle into conversation while watching trampoline to make you sound like a seasoned vet.

1. Rudy/Rudolph – A front somersault with 1.5 twists.
2. Randy/Randolph – A front somersault with 2.5 twists.
3. Cat leap – A jump where the athlete takes off from one foot, raising one knee and then the other. Not this.
4. Adolph – A front somersault with 3.5 twists
5. ​Barani – A forward somersault with a half twist.

That's it! Now you're all set for competition in Rio! Which we're sure will make you jump, jump.