go/do/play rhythmic gymnastics, what is correct?

I would use 'do' and 'does', and I think most people would say the same. I imagine one is as correct as the other.

My sister goes to rhythmic gymnastics.

My sister does rhythmic gymnastics.

We seem not to use 'play' for sports that are seen as training, that require a great deal of discipline, that are more individual in nature. These attract 'do/does'.

Also 'play' often seems to hold for sports where there is direct face to face competition.

Maybe there's a cultural bias that determines this.

Do/Does - [not 'play']

Track & Field / Sprinting / Hurdles / Javelin / Shot Put /Wrestling/ Judo/ Karate/Tae Kwon Do/ ...

Play -

tennis/baseball/golf/basketball/football/hockey/soccer/volleyball/...

Also 'play' often seems to hold for sports where there is direct face to face competition.
Maybe there's a cultural bias that determines this.
Do/Does - [not 'play']
Track & Field / Sprinting / Hurdles / Javelin / Shot Put /Wrestling/ Judo/ Karate/Tae Kwon Do/ ...
Play -
tennis/baseball/golf/basketball/football/hockey/soccer/volleyball/...

~~
Track & Field / Sprinting / Hurdles / Javelin / Shot Put /Wrestling/ Judo/ Karate/Tae Kwon Do/ ...
All of these are head to head sports with the possible exception of Javelin.

There may be a cultural bias, but face to face doesn't appear to be it.

Joe(do be do be do)Nation

Go back to guideline 1: We seem not to use 'play' for sports that are seen as training, that require a great deal of discipline, that are more individual in nature.

Judo competitors are players.

These are teaching tools, Joe, meant to give ESLs a "feel" for the verbs used with different sports. I certainly don't suggest these as absolutes.



And shot put, hammer throw. Most track events are not face to face, head to head sports. It's more the individual against the clock, the distance.

Face to face with competition over a ball or other object tend to use 'play'.

Team sports tend to use 'play'.

Golf is an odd one - it's a verb, "he golfs" and the name of the sport - "she plays golf".