Spectacular photos show gymnasts' gravity-defying skills as they compete in Rio

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It was an amazing show of human strength and gravity defying skill as the world's gymnastics teams came together
There were a few missteps along the way, but for the most part the world's most agile sports people put on a show
Comes as Team GB reach the women's team final after Ellie Downie recovered from an injury following a nasty fall

Published: 18:15 EST, 7 August 2016 | Updated: 19:19 EST, 7 August 2016

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It was a spectacular show of human strength and gravity defying skill as the world's gymnastics teams flexed their carefully honed muscles during qualifying.

Incredible pictures from the Rio Olympics show the gymnasts in full swing as they gave impressive displays on the horizontal bar, the vault, the pommel horse and rings, as well as the parallel bars and on the floor.

There were a few missteps and mishaps along the way, but for the most part the world's most agile sportsmen and women put on a spectacle of human flexibility.

Team GB have reached the women's team final after Ellie Downie recovered from a neck injury following a nasty fall.

The 17-year-old was completing a flip when she landed in an awkward position. After receiving treatment from medical personnel she went on to compete in the vault.

Great Britain ended the session with 174.064, leaving them in third position in qualifying after China and Russia with the USA still to perform.

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It was a spectacular show of human strength and gravity defying skill as the world's gymnastics teams flexed their carefully honed muscles during qualifying

Tutya Yilmaz of Turkey performs a feat of incredible flexibility as part of the Rio Olympics gymnastics events

There were a few missteps and mishaps along the way, but for the most part the world's most agile sportsmen and women put on a spectacle of human flexibility

Team GB reached the women's team final after Ellie Downie recovered from a neck injury following a nasty fall (pictured)

Sweden's Emma Larsson competes in the qualifying for the women's Beam event of the Artistic Gymnastics

Great Britain ended the session with 174.064, leaving them in third position in qualifying after China and Russia with the USA still to perform

Great Britain are fancied to at least match their team bronze in London 2012 while one of Max Whitlock or Louis Smith is set to get the chance to claim the nation's first Olympic gymnastics gold when they go head to head on their favoured apparatus in the individual competition.

Smith, part of a five-strong British team that also includes Kristian Thomas, Nile Wilson and Brinn Bevan, scored marginally behind his rival on the pommel with 15.700 against Whitlock's 15.800, but said he was pleased with his display.

Despite some promising team members and a leading preliminary score, Team GB will have to streamline their performances if they are to secure any medals on Monday.

Challengers to the gold are Japan, who have dominated the sport for years and who came in second on Saturday, as well as Team USA and host country Brazil, who sit first and fourth, respectively.

Tutya Yilmaz of Turkey competes on the floor during the women's qualifications on Sunday, with more action taking place on Monday

Challengers to the gold are Japan, who have dominated the sport for years and who came in second on Saturday, as well as Team USA and host country Brazil (Flavia Saraiva is pictured), who sit first and fourth, respectively

Ailen Valente of Argentina is watched by a scorer as she takes part in the floor exercise, one of the mainstay's of gymnastics

Despite some promising team members and a leading preliminary score, Team GB will have to streamline their performances if they are to secure any medals on Monday

Elissa Downie on the beam. Great Britain ended the session with 174.064, leaving them in third position in qualifying after China and Russia with the USA still to perform