Five-Ring Circus

Who Did It Better: Olympic Rhythmic Gymnasts or the Harlem Globetrotters?

Rhythmic gymnasts do not get the airtime or the respect they deserve. They twirl ribbons, toss hoops, throw around clubs, and do things with a ball that few others in the world can match—except maybe the Harlem Globetrotters. In the video above, we compare the best rhythmic gymnastics ball routines from the 2016 Rio Olympics to the Globetrotters’ most-impressive tricks. Who did it better? Watch and see if you agree with our assessment.

See more of Slate’s Olympics coverage.