GYMNASTICS FOR ALL – FUN, FITNESS, FUNDAMENTALS AND FRIENDSHIP

Currently the Féderation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) has over 125 Member Federations worldwide, affiliated and carrying out gymnastics activities. This sees well over 50 million active participants of all ages, abilities and cultures enjoying the diverse range of physical activities that gymnastics offers. This makes gymnastics one of the largest sporting organisations contributing to global health, fitness and well-being!

Gymnastic activities can be traced back to the earliest of time. It has been practiced for thousands of years with constant change and development. When the FIG was founded 1881, gymnastics already had a long history. The type of gymnastics that was practised in the end of 1800 was a non-competitive form with well controlled gymnastics movements. This also developed and competition entered the FIG. But even though some gymnasts wanted to compete, the majority of gymnasts did not. They practiced just Gymnastics and that is what we today call Gymnastics for All.

While Gymnastics for All is the basis of all competitive disciplines, it is also a discipline in its own right incorporating a diverse range of movements and exercises that by their very nature contribute to a participant’s physical, intellectual and social well-being. In so doing, this area of gymnastics is highly recognised by the IOC due to its humanitarian health, social and educational potential and objectives. In this context Gymnastics for All activities are of fundamental significance within the FIG and provide Member Federations with endless opportunities.

Gymnastics for All – specifically designed to enhance a person’s health and physical fitness or participated in purely for enjoyment and simple relaxation.
Gymnastics for All – for everyone, both genders, from young to old, from different cultures and no matter the abilities
Gymnastics for All – Gymnastics with or without apparatus
Gymnastics for All – Gymnastics & Dance
Gymnastics for All – A World of Movement Opportunities

Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist
21/01/2009