WELCOME ADDRESS By Prof. Bruno Grandi FIG President

Dear Friends,

I have the pleasure and sincere honour of welcoming you to the magnificent City of Rotterdam, the stage of Artistic Gymnastics' 42nd World Championships.

It is a privilege to share in the emotions and experiences an event of this calibre has to offer, with its impressive bill of gymnasts from around the world. I am honoured to be here in a country with such high gymnastic potential, a country steeped in the fundamental values which are the cornerstones of the success and reputation of our sport, a City that already hosted a FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in 1987. I am confident that Rotterdam will extend a warm welcome to our champions.

This event is of major importance for two reasons.

On one hand, it is an important event of the new Olympic Cycle. Rotterdam will confirm a new hierarchy for gymnasts competing in the 2009 – 2012 Cycle. On the other hand, these championships will be a first selection on the way towards the London 2012 Gymnastics Olympic competitions.

As President, and on behalf of the Authorities of the FIG and the international community of gymnastics as a whole, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. Many warm thanks to the beautiful City of Rotterdam, to its Authorities, to Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation, and the Management of the Ahoy Arena to and to all those who have contributed to the success of this event.

I wish the greatest success to our outstanding athletes, delegation members and officials, and declare my admiration for the many volunteers and enthusiastic public who make all this possible.

With my best wishes, and thank you Rotterdam!

Prof. Bruno Grandi

WELCOME ADDRESS by Jos Geukers (NED) Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation President

Welcome to Rotterdam, city of sports!

Rotterdam is known as a world port city, but offers a lot more. It is a dynamically sparkling city with an international orientation; a city full of sporting activities. Think, for instance, of the annual marathon over a fast circuit and the start of the Tour the France at the beginning of July 2010.

Soon the best gymnasts from all over the world will come to Rotterdam to participate in the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, which will take place from Saturday, October 16 to Sunday, October 24 in Ahoy, Rotterdam.

The Worlds 2010 are an important leg of the journey to the Olympic Games 2012 in London. Organisers are preparing to give their utmost to present themselves in the best possible way. This event will guarantee gymnastics at the highest level. At least 74 countries will participate with both men and women.

Gymnastics at the highest level also means organisation at the highest level. After 23 years - the first time was in 1987 - the Royal Dutch Gymnastics Federation will again don the cloak of World Championship organiser. In 1987 we heard a lot of positive echoes and we aim to repeat or even improve on that event.

Enthusiastic employees of the Federation and the city of Rotterdam/Rotterdam Topsport as well as also a couple hundred volunteers are ready to welcome more than 500 gymnasts and over 30,000 visitors to a captivating meet.

Hope to meet you in Rotterdam in October!

Jos Geukers