Team, Men

The format was very different for this event in 2004. There was a qualifying round, with only the top eight teams advancing to the final round. In the qualifying round each team was allowed six competitors, with five to compete on each apparatus, and the best four of five scores counting for each apparatus. Qualifying scores did not carry over to the final round. In the final, each team had six gymnasts, with three allowed to compete on each apparatus, all three scores counting, which was termed the 6/3/3 rule, and was first used at the 2001 World Championships. China was the 2003 World Champion, and after winning silver in 1984, 1996, and 2000, finally came through to win Olympic gold in Athinai, leading the final throughout. The United States had been the runner-up at the 2001 and 2004 Worlds, but only placed fifth at the 2004 Olympics, as Ukraine won the silver medal and Russia the bronze. Belarus, which was the 2001 World Champion, placed only eighth.