Visit of the FIG Athletes' Commission

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Head Office, February 8, 2010: It is with these words that IOC President Jacques Rogge welcomed on January 28 the six gymnasts making up the new FIG Athletes’ Commission. He went on to say “important and empowered to set an example and to be keen to disseminate it around you in your own disciplines”.

Senior Manager of the IOC Sports Department in charge of the relations with the International Federations, Pierre Ducrey commented on the important role of the Athletes’ Commission within the Olympic Movement and on the responsibilities of their members in terms of development and education.

It was the first meeting of the FIG Athletes' Commission of current cycle 2009-2012 and also their first visit to the FIG Head Office in Lausanne. After the welcoming words by Vice-President Slava Corn (CAN), Secretary General André Gueisbuhler spoke at length on the statutory duties and commitments which will be the Commission’s during the coming weeks. Technical Regulations, gymnasts’ licenses, prize money, training and competition conditions, fight against doping were the highlights of the day which culminated in the election of the Finn Jani Tanskanen to the Commission’s presidency.

A former World Champion at the horizontal bar, he will speak on behalf of all the gymnasts and will therefore join the FIG Executive Committee and the FIG Council, a body where he will have the right of vote.

The FIG Athletes’ Commission was set up in 1999 during the extraordinary Congress in Tianjin (CHN). It started to work in 2000 and is drawing everybody’s attention, in particular the attention of FIG President Bruno Grandi (ITA) a former gymnast himself. “We all bear a cultural responsibility towards our gymnasts. We exist because they exist. Our destinies are linked ! » repeatedly said the Federation boss.

This visit in Lausanne to the IOC and FIG head offices was an opportunity for the Athletes’ Commission new members to get used to the administrative surroundings and to the spirit which spurs both institutions.