Why didn't the rhythmic gymnasts use a ball in the olympics?

Question

I was watching the olympics and the rhythmic gymnasts weren't using a ball as one of the aparatusses. Does anybody know why?

Please don't guess. I want the actual answer.

Answer 1

There are a total of five apparatuses used in rhythmic gymnastics; ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs and rope. However, only four of those are used in the Olympic games. The FIG chooses to eliminate a different apparatus each Olympics; this Olympics, it was the ball,

Answer 2

They did use a ball i saw it maybe you missed it or something. They use 5 pieces of apparatus for the rythmic gymnastics.

Answer 3

There are 5 apparatus used in rhythmic gymnastics but only four are used during any given year.  This year the apparatus being used at the senior level are:

- clubs

- rope

- ribbon

- hoop

The ball will be added next year and the clubs taken out of rotation.