What type of concern is raised by the presence of a coach during an event?

The presence of a coach during an event raises a judging concern primarily because it can influence the perception of the routine being evaluated. Coaches are often seen as advocates for their gymnasts, and their presence might provide an impression of bias—either in how the gymnast performs or how the judges observe the performance. Judges must remain impartial and evaluate the gymnast's execution based solely on the standard criteria for scoring, rather than any outside influence, including that of a coach.

Coaches may also communicate with their gymnasts during a performance, which could provide an unfair advantage or create a scenario where the routine does not reflect the gymnast’s independent skills and capabilities. Therefore, preserving a fair judging environment is crucial, and any potential influence from coaches can complicate the judging process. This concern is particularly pertinent in gymnastics, where subjective interpretations of performance quality are critical to scoring.