In gymnastics why do the men only wear shorts on floor and vault?

Question

In gymnastics why do the men only wear shorts on floor and vault?

Answer 1

Probably because it allows them to move more freely.

Answer 2

So they could do the "Hello Boy".

Answer 3

floor - so they can tell if they bend their legs when you should be straight etc

vault - so they can run because the pants don't allow much room to move for running.

Answer 4

The floor exercise and vault are rotations that require running and aerial movements independent of (unconnected to) an apparatus.  Long pants would get in the way.

The long pants are worn in high bar, pommel horse, parallel bars, and rings in part to emphasize and visually "lengthen" the athlete's legs and leg-movements.  Shorts would "chop" the gymnast's leg (visually, of course!) at an unflattering and distracting point, and would make judging a particular skill or movement more difficult.

Answer 5

The pants that they wear have things that go around their feet. On floor and vault you need to be able to move without slipping and the shorts give them more room for movement.

Answer 6

aerodynamic.. and hot!