At the 1996 Summer Olympics, two different gymnastics disciplines were contested: artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. The artistic gymnastics events were held at the Georgia Dome from July 20–25 and July 28–29. The rhythmic gymnastics events were held at Stegeman Coliseum in nearby Athens, on the campus of the University of Georgia from August 1–4. In artistic gymnastics, this was the last major competition to include compulsory exercises, which was then replaced by prelims.
The gymnastics competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was carried out in three stages:
Each country was limited to three gymnasts in the all-around final and two gymnasts in each apparatus final.