LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, August 30, 2010: In mid-August the second Spanish language Level 1 Academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics was hosted by Brazil in the city of Aracaju. Brazil had previously hosted three Academies for Artistic Gymnastics. This was the 11th Academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics which held its first less than two years ago; and it was the 88th overall in the FIG Academy Programme.

This Level 1 Rhythmic Academy was attended by 20 coaches from nine federations: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cape Verde, Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela. The attendance of the coaches from the Spanish speaking federations of the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) was partially funded by the FIG Development Fund for PAGU.

The course leader was Eunice Lebre of Portugal who is also a member of the FIG Scientific Commission. She was joined by former British National Coach Nadya Aleksandrova who is a member of the Academy Working Group for Rhythmic Gymnastics that developed the curriculum for these courses. The other expert was Andrea João of Brazil for whom this was the tenth Academy at which she has taught. She taught most of the theory lectures.

The highest results in the three-part examination were shared by three coaches: Luciana Cuel of Argentina and Anna Danielyan and Maria Cristina Vital both of Brazil.

Special thanks must go to the Brazil Gymnastics Federation and its President, Luciene Resende as well as to Luciana Menezes for organising this Academy and for providing all of the conditions necessary to assure its success.