Why is the all-around competition before the individual apparatus' in Olympic Gymnastics?

Question

Why do the Olympics do the all-around competition in gymnastics BEFORE they do the individual sections? It would stand to reason that they would do each apparatus, then do the all around competition last?

Answer 1

Why does it matter.  It is just the way things are done.

Answer 2

Because the AA athletes have to do 4 event and they don't want them to be too worn out if they have to do it after team finals and event finals.

Answer 3

I grew up watching the 1984 Olympics with Mary Lou Retton as the all-around star.

I guess the all-around is first because the all-around involves the gymnast doing one apparatus...and then doing a "rotation" to the next apparatus....and then doing another "rotation" to the next apparatus, and so-on.

All-around is, I believe, similar to the heptathlon or the decathlon in the Olympics.....all-around means that the gymnast has to successfully complete all of the apparatus to win the gold, silver, or bronze medal.

In the individual apparatus, there is no "rotation" because the athlete competes only in the apparatus that is specifically best for him or her. For example, one might be only good on balance beam, while another may only be good in floor exercise, etc. Hence, because of the lack of "rotation" in individual apparatus, the competition is shorter and hence individual apparatus is put after all-around.