ATHENS, Aug. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Following are the Olympic trampoline competition format and rules:

    Sixteen male and 16 female competitors (maximum two per federation) will participate in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Thecompetition consists of a qualification round and a final, which will take place on the first day for women and on the second day for men in the following format:

    Qualification:

    Two routines: One voluntary routine with 10 skills including set requirements and a second voluntary routine of 10 different skills without limitations.

    Final: The top eight competitors from the qualification rounds will perform a single voluntary routine of 10 different skills without limitations.

    Rules:

    Each routine consist of 10 skills on the trampoline bed. Competitors must submit a competition card 48 hours before the competition, listing the skills they intend to perform.

    In the case of the first voluntary routine, the set skills (e.g.a double somersault, a front somersault with or without twist, a back somersault with full twist) must be marked and performed as stated. This routine is judged only for execution.

    In the case of the second voluntary routine during the qualification rounds and the routine performed in the final, the order and nature of the skills listed may vary during the actual performance. These routines are judged for both difficulty and execution.

    Competitors begin upon the signal given by the Chair of the Judges' Panel. After the signal is given, the competitor must start the first skill within one minute; otherwise there is a deduction.

    The starting order in the qualifications is decided by draw.

    In the finals, the starting order is determined by rank, with the competitor having received the lowest score from the qualification rounds starting order. Enditem