Around the table!

Glasgow (GBR) FIG Office, October 12, 2008: FIG President Bruno Grandi (ITA) and TC President Patricia Wade (GBR) invited all coaches and official around a table, to evoke and discuss some key issues related to the development of Acrobatic Gymnastics.

In his introduction's speech, President Grandi addressed a serious warning to those countries who compete only for medals and don't have any pedagogical and cultural project for the discipline. 'We need more participating countries, more universality!' he said to the 30 observant delegates present in the Kelvin Hall.

Next January, the discipline will start its first Academy. In 2009, the new TC members will set up a Symposium and invite all the Acrobatic community to propose a vision and projects for the coming cycle.

To conclude his presentation, Prof. Grandi promised to help all federations to promote Acrobatic in their territories: 'The first gymnastics activity thousand years ago was Acrobatic. Not rhythmic, not artistic, which were more recent inventions. For this reason, I'll help the discipline to become more attractive and popular.'

Next week in Helsinki (FIN), the 77th FIG General Assembly will elect a new Acrobatic TC President. Despite Patricia Wade's retirement, Bruno Grandi asked her to assist his staff in the future projects and to act as a Consultant within the Federation.