A receiving part is provided for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element, the receiving part including a receiving part body (5) with a rod receiving portion (9) with a channel (12) for receiving the rod, and a head receiving portion (16) for accommodating a head (3) of the bone anchoring element, the head receiving portion (16) having an open end (17) and being flexible so as to allow introduction and clamping of the head a locking ring (8) embracing a head receiving portion, wherein the locking ring exerts a force onto the head receiving portion to lock the head therein and a pre-locking ring (80) embracing the head receiving portion wherein the pre-locking ring exerts a force onto the head receiving portion so as to clamp the head in a pre-locking condition.