Anna Rose Johnson:
What if there were 12 gymnasts in each apparatus final, instead of eight?
If this rule change had been in place just since 2009, then 37 different countries would have been represented in World and Olympic apparatus finals, as opposed to the 24 countries that actually were represented.
The London 2012 beam final was a perfect example of this issue: the eight-person final consisted of two Americans, two Romanians, two Chinese, and two Russians. Had 12 gymnasts been allowed, athletes from Japan, Italy, and Greece would have been included as well. And who wouldn’t like to see more unique routines and more celebrated gymnasts on the world’s largest podium? …
I’d even be happy if FIG went to 10 finalists.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 