The rhythmic gymnastics events took place over just three days at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, which staged all gymnastics events: artistic, rhythmic and trampoline. For the seventh consecutive Games, there was an all-round individual competition with 26 gymnasts, and an all-round group competition, with 14 groups of 5 gymnasts. Both were for women only.
Linoy Ashram became the first Israeli athlete to win a gold medal, in the individual all-around event, and she was also the first Israeli woman to win an Olympic gold medal in any sport. It was the first time a non-Russian athlete had won the gold medal in this sport since 1996, and the first time an athlete from outside the former Soviet Union had won since the inaugural competition in 1984. All athletes performed in four routines (ball, hoop, clubs and ribbons). Also, Russian Olympic Committee did not win the group event as Bulgaria were stronger than the Russians, who had dominated this sport in the previous five Olympics.