1st Youth Olympic Games
Singapore (SIN), August 14 – 26, 2010

SINGAPORE (SIN), July 23, 2010: The Youth Olympic Flame was lit for the first time on Friday in Ancient Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, signalling the start of a round-the-world journey, and a prelude to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Held at the Temple of Hera, the Youth Olympic flame was lit by reflecting sunlight using a parabolic mirror and carried by the High Priestess to the Ancient Stadium for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

At the Ancient Stadium, the Flame was then passed on to four youth torch bearers: Apostolos Koutavas (Greece), Amanda LIM Xiang Qi (Singapore), SILAS Abdul Razak (Singapore) and Nikos Tsiokos (Greece). The Flame was handed over to Mr Spyros CAPRALOS, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, who then handed it to Mr Ser Miang NG, Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).

Witnessing the Flame Lighting Ceremony for the first Youth Olympic Games were Dr Jacques ROGGE, President of the International Olympic Committee; Mr Spyros ZANNIAS, President of the Olympic Torch Relay Commission; Mr Georgios AIDONIS, Mayor of Ancient Olympia; Dr Vivian BALAKRISHNAN, Singapore’s Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports; Youth Olympic Games Ambassador, Ms Yelena ISINBAYEVA; and Dr Francis CHONG, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SYOGOC.

"It is such an honour to witness the birth of a new initiative for the youth. Although the Flame Lighting Ceremony dates back more than two thousand years, the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect that the Flame represents are still relevant today. We hope that the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame will connect youth around the world to the Olympic movement, and inspire them to live by its values," said Mr Ng.

The Flame Lighting Ceremony in Ancient Olympia kicks-off the 13-day Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame to celebration cities representing five continents around the world. It then arrives in Singapore on 6 August for a traditional six-day torch relay around the island nation.

The five cities are:

1. Berlin, Germany representing Europe
2. Dakar, Senegal representing Africa
3. Mexico City, Mexico representing the Americas
4. Auckland, New Zealand representing Oceania
5. Seoul, South Korea representing Asia

At each of the celebration cities, the Flame will journey to significant city landmarks and allow as many people as possible to welcome the Flame to the continent. The day will end off with a City Celebration, where the people of the city and continent can join in the festivities to celebrate the world’s first Youth Olympic Games.
The Flame’s journey will culminate in the torch being brought to the Float@Marina Bay in Singapore, the world's largest floating stage on 14 August 2010 where it will ignite the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games cauldron as part of the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the Games. Once lit, the Flame will continue to burn brightly throughout the 12 days of the Games until the Closing Ceremony on 26 August 2010.

source: SYOGOC

FIG Foundation of Gymnastics Course
Prag (CZE), July 1 – 8, 2010

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office – PRAG (CZE), July 22, 2010: For the first time in its history, the Czech Gymnastics Federation hosted a FIG Academy dedicated to the Foundation of Gymnastics. The course was held in the city of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, July 1 – 8, 2010.

This beautiful historical city welcomed in total 28 participants, representing the Czech Republic (16 participants), Slovak Republic (10) and Poland with 2 participants. Coaches, but also professors of physical education spent a wonderful week together, sharing the famous  “Four F” philosophy of Gymnastics for All Philosophy: Fun, Fitness, Fundamental, Friendships!

The course took place in the historical residence of Sokol Organisation and its gymnasium built in 1925 that offered excellent conditions for this Academy.

The experts for this course held in Slovak and Czech languages were Monika Siskova (SVK), FIG Gymnastics for All Committee Member, Miroslav Zitko (CZE), Jan Chrudimsky (CZE) and Barbara Polakova (SVK). Miroslav, Jan and Barbara had previously participated in FIG’s Foundation of Gymnastics Experts Training Course, held in Copenhagen, in September 2008. All participants showed high expertise and successfully passed the course.

Special thanks must be adressed to the Czech Gymnastics Federation for having hosted this Academy with the highest possible standard. msi/az

Eighty, to be exact, for Karl-Heinz Schwirtz!

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 21, 2010: A key figure and pioneer in the development of Gymnastics for All, known worldwide for his teachings, written works and expertise, Karl-Heinz Schwirtz celebrates his 80th birthday today, July 21, 2010.

For years Schwirtz has been a member and active pillar on the Gymnastics for All Committee, distinguishing himself by his dynamic personality and sense of creativity. Today, Karl-Heinz Schwirtz is still as active as he ever was, and strives to make his experience available to the generations that follow in his footsteps. Moreover, he is the author of a recent apparatus inventory for Gymnastics for All equipment.

Happy Birthday Karl-Heinz!

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office - ODENSE (DEN), July 16, 2010:

Last night 7TH EUROGYM 2010 ended with a beautiful Closing Ceremony where more than 2,000 gymnasts from 24 European countries participated actively. The gymnastics festival ended with a bang when the entire Odense Stadium exploded dancing the “original EUROGYM Flash Dance Mob”.

The last week, 4,200 young European gymnasts from 24 countries together with the citizens of Odense – including 300 local volunteers - have celebrated the diversity of gymnastics and the joy of playing. From 10th to 16th July they have participated in workshops, performances and concerts, parties and they have found new friends from other countries.

“I am so thankful that the city of Odense has been so supportive and truly welcomed the participants. The gymnasts have been met with world class facilities, kindness and openness everywhere they have been, during their stay in Denmark. I would like to direct a special thank you to all the volunteers - especially the elderly have treated the young gymnasts as if they were their grand children”, says Detlef Mann, President for Gymnastics For All, European Gymnastics Federation (UEG).

On Thursday, July 15th, 7TH EUROGYM 2010 ended with a beautiful Closing Ceremony where about 30 workshops, that the gymnasts have participated in during the last days, were connected by the theme of the four elements of nature. When the Closing Ceremony had officially ended, the organizers announced that they had a big surprise for the participants. The music “Alors on danse” by Stromae started playing and Martin Karup, choreographer of a recurring dance of EUROGYM entered the stadium. Odense Stadium exploded, when almost all 4,200 gymnasts went on to the football field and went crazy dancing the “original EUROGYM dance”.

7TH EUROGYM 2010 is organised by Danish Gymnastics Federation in cooperation with Sport Event Fyn, Sport Event Denmark and Odense Municipality.

Eurogym 2012 in Portugal!

Lausanne (SUI) / FIG Office, July 14, 2010: The European Gymnastics Union (UEG) and the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation have signed a joint partnership agreement for organisation of the 8th edition of Eurogym 2012. The event and hosting of some 5,000 gymnasts goes to Coimbra, on July 14 - 20, 2012.

George Guelzec (FRA) and Manuel Boa de Jesus (POR), UEG President and Organising Federation Presidents respectively, signed an official contract following a small ceremony arranged during Eurogym 2010 in Odense (DEN).

In his remarks, the UEG President recalled the significance of this event, which hinges on the physical benefits that result from practising gymnastics as a recreational and cultural activity. “We’re here in Odense, in the city of Hans Christian Anderson, the man who enchants childhood dreams with fairy tales. It is our hope that when they come together in Coimbra in two years, the gymnasts of Europe will continue to dream.” said Luis Providencia, vice Mayor of Coimbra.

For Manuel Boa de Jesus, this 8th Eurogym means a return to the birthplace of the event, which premiered in Portugal. “We expect some 5,000 participants for an unforgettable week!” declared the President.

7th Eurogym
Odense (DEN), July 11 - 16, 2010

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office - ODENSE (DEN), July 13, 2010: Thousands of young European gymnasts are gathered in Odense, Denmark, to participate in 7TH EUROGYM 2010. At the Opening Ceremony most of them spontaneously started dancing, and rumor has it that the young participants are planning the largest multi country Flash Dance Mob, which will take place somewhere, sometime tomorrow, Wednesday.

Right now 4,200 young gymnasts from 24 European countries are visiting Odense, Denmark. In the period 10th – 16th July they are here to participate in 7TH EUROGYM 2010, where they are experiencing a week of gymnastics, workshops, performances and fun.

At the Opening Ceremony at Odense Stadium most of the participants spontaneously ran from the grandstands on to the football field and started dancing, when the choreographer Martin Karup and four volunteers danced what is going to be the official EUROGYM 2010 dance.

“It was amazing to see that so many gymnasts spontaneously started dancing at the Opening Ceremony. This is exactly what we dreamed of when Odense was first announced as the host city of EUROGYM 2010. And I have noticed that when you walk around town these days you see them dancing the same dance everywhere. It’s simply great”, says Erik Juhl Mortensen, manager at Sport Event Fyn.

A rumor is going around among the gymnasts that the largest Flash Dance Mob in Denmark ever will take place in Odense tomorrow, but nobody knows exactly when or where. However it is sure that the multi country flash mob can be followed at the participants own site “EUROGYM – official page” on Facebook.

4,200 ambassadors

7TH EUROGYM 2010 is more than just a festival for the gymnasts. The organizer, Danish Gymnastics Federation, has been given a unique opportunity to use social media which sets the scene for exchange of experiences and inspiration between the participants from the 24 European countries.

“This is exactly what sport is like when it’s at its best, it can make people across nations come together and create inspiration and joy. The objective of the work with social media is to create 4,200 ambassadors for Denmark and gymnastics and I am confident that we have already achieved these goals – just watch the Facebook-site. Even moms and friends of the participants are sharing their thoughts and their love for the sport”, says Jytte Storm, President of the Organizing Comittee from the Danish Gymnastics Federation says.

7TH EUROGYM 2010 is organized by Danish Gymnastics Federation in cooperation with Sport Event Fyn, Sport Event Denmark and Odense Municipality.

Facts about EUROGYM:

• EUROGYM is a returning event that takes place every second year
• The head organizer is the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG)

7TH EUROGYM 2010:

• Participants: 4,200
• Countries: 24
• Country with most participants: Portugal – 731 participants
• Gender distribution: 82 % girls and 18 % boys

source: Danish Gymnastics Federation

14th World Gymnaestrada
Lausanne (SUI), July 10 - 16, 2011

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 10, 2010: In precisely one year, on July 10, 2011, some 23,000 gymnasts will flood the streets of Lausanne (SUI) to participate in the 14th edition of the FIG World Gymnaestrada.

Created in 1953, the event is the biggest on the FIG calendar by virtue of the number of gymnasts involved. It is a pure demonstration of the very culture of Gymnastics for All. Gymnasts of all ages and from nearly 60 countries are expected to flock to the capital of the Vaud canton, where its population will increase by one sixth over a period of ten days!

Starting today, July 10, 2010, the FIG has officially opened accreditation for journalists and photographers covering the event. http://www.fedintgym.com/mediamanager/

Hosting the World Gymnaestrada in the Olympic capital is a major event in the history of the FIG, the oldest established sport federation worldwide, founded in 1881. After Basel in 1969 with 9,600 participants, and Zurich in 1982 with 14,200, Lausanne is the Swiss Gymnastics Federation third time to host this event at home.
In 2015, the World Gymnaestrada will leave Lausanne for the Finnish capital Helsinki.

2010 Canadian Gymnaestrada in Winnipeg

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 9, 2010: A total of 600 gymnasts from across Canada got together in Winnipeg, Manitoba (CAN) from 30 June - 4 July to participate in the country’s national Gymnaestrada. Organised every fourth year on the year preceding the World Gymnaestrada, the gathering is part of preparation for participation on an international level.

The 2010 Canadian Gymnaestrada was a true Gymnastics for All event, with gymnasts from 6 to 86 years of age. Gymnasts with a disability were also integrated into some of the groups, and it was fantastic to see joy and happiness on the faces of gymnasts, coaches and everyone involved.

The gymnastics group were well prepared and we saw some very interesting, high-level performances. From this point forward, gymnasts will have one year to prepare before they show their skills to an international audience, and we’re expecting a big group from Canada to come to the World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne 2011.

Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist
FIG Gymnastics for All Committee President

Eurogym 2010 in Odense (DEN)

Lausanne (SUI) – FIG Office, July 7, 2010: From July 11 – 15, 2010, Denmark and its beautiful city of Odense will welcome 4,100 gymnasts from 23 countries of the European Gymnastics Union for Eurogym, the most significant Gymnastics for All event on EUG President Georges Guelzec’s (FRA) calendar.
 
Eurogym is nothing short of a party. It’s a gathering that celebrates the basic concepts of exchange, dialogue and solidarity, the glue that holds our societies together, through the pursuit of a common ideal: gymnastics, as a playful and entertaining activity which has lasting effects on physical and psychological wellbeing.

Eurogym is a time to have fun through group choreographies that are both original and culturally specific. Federation and club performances have evolved and changed with time as culture has mutated; and today the event offers a palette of veritable choreographic art, showcasing an impressively high artistic and technical level, which makes Eurogym an entertaining show for anyone.

When in Denmark do as the Danish do – and this 2010 Danish edition is doing just that. Based on the classic folk stories of celebrated author Hans Christian Andersen, the theme of the event is sure to delight young and old with a dose of magic and plenty of fantasy, but nary an appearance by the Ugly Duckling!

The Programme

Sunday, July 11 – Parade (4,100 gymnasts!) and Opening Ceremony
Monday, July 12: Garden Party at the Odense Zoo
Tuesday, July 13: Open Air Concert
Wednesday, July 14: Gala
Thursday, July 15: Closing Ceremony

Rousing fun is on the menu alongside a foretaste of next year’s planetary event: the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011, in just one year, in Lausanne (SUI).

Take a look at Eurogym at the official Danish website.

14th World Gymnaestrada
Lausanne (SUI), July 10 - 16, 2011

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 1, 2010: Yesterday, June 30, 2010, the deadline for provisional registration expired for federations wishing to participate in the 14th FIG World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne (SUI), July 10 – 16, 2011. To date, 47 federations representing 5 continents have either expressed a desire to participate in or have formally registered for the event. Provisional numbers are showing nigh on 23,000 gymnasts.

Cultural groups from around the world will be besieging the capital of Vaud, providing its inhabitants with extraordinary entertainment. Lausanne organisers have long been ready to get down to the task at hand, and such obvious popularity has only underscored their optimism.

Its biggest event in terms of participation, the FIG is excited about the Gymnaestrada; it is the Federation’s cultural heritage, and it is the foundation on which rests the edifice of international gymnastics as a whole.

Competition in Gymnastics for All?

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 30, 2010: It’s a question that never fails to incite contrasting reactions within the international gymnastics community. Some hold to the idea that GfA must remain faithful to the tradition laid out for it by its founding father, Nicolas Cupérus; to maintain the vision of the man recognised as the architect of the FIG itself.

Others claim that old traditions need to evolve and take on a competitive form, that tournaments can alter the packaging but never the essence of Gymnastics for All.

Debate rages on as trenches are reinforced.

So with the objective of creating a platform where constructive and unrestricted discussion is encouraged, the Gymnastics for All Committee is arranging an international Colloquium with competition at its very core.

The event is slated for Lisbon (POR), December 9 – 12, 2010.

All FIG affiliated federations are invited and encouraged to attend; any and all relevant information concerning the Colloquium will be found in due time on the Federation’s website. Just follow this link.

Gym for All gymnasts in World Biggest Diski Dance

Just before the match of Bafana Bafana against Uruguay, Cape Town celebrated Youth Day with the Biggest Diski Dance.

31 000 visitors visited the Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest through out the day where they were taught the Diski Dance by roughly a 150 Western Cape Gymnasts lead by Barbara Murphey and her team of leaders from various groups in the community.

During the day the Diski Dancers from the Western Cape mingled in the crowd to teach the audience the dance.

They were supported by the dance4life, an international organisation that uses the power of dance and music to inspire young people to take action against HIV and AIDS. This is a natural fit with the SAGF Gym For All Program which has included HIV/AIDS education as well as healthy living through its partnerships with the Danish Embassy and the World Diabetes Association.

The Diski vibe during these practices was amazing, but the true highlight was the main performance just before the match of Bafana Bafana.

Elizabeth Cameron Smith, CEO of the South African Gymnastics Federation, who was present at this momentous feat met with dance4life South Africa MD Wayne Alexander on the day where they explored opportunities to partner in more projects in the future.

“We are happy we had an opportunity to be involved at the Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest. We would like to express our gratitude to the organisers of this day who made it special for the children who participated in the day,” said Barbara Murphy.

Sport for All Congress in Finland

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 16, 2010: During the International Olympic Committee’s 13th Sport for All Congress in Jyväskylä (FIN), the International Gymnastics Federation gave a presentation on gym in the workplace and the resulting overall sense of well-being for employees. FIG Gymnastics for All Vice President Tatsuo Araki (JPN) had the honour of presenting the topic to sport educators, professors and health professionals during the IOC’s plenary session.

“Move about and have fun doing it; you’ll feel so much better!” sums up the message brought by the Professor of the Physical Education Human Performance Laboratory of the Nippon Sport Science University of Tokyo and choreographer internationally recognized. His references are vast throughout Japan, where he is well known. Various media, predominately national television, have followed Tatsuo Araki as he has travelled his country visiting various sites of manual labour, where he instructs workers on how to move onsite, and to do gymnastics as they go about their work. The results have been spectacular, and those who have tried it admit to encountering less pain, being in better shape and recovering a greater sense of motivation for their jobs.

The demonstration given to the audience of the Sport for All Congress incited widespread interest; and according to health professionals, gymnastic lessons in the workplace contribute to a greater sense of well-being and substantially decrease the cost of health care
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A thriving tradition

Created in 1948, Gymnastics Days or Voimistelupäivät in Finnish, are a thriving tradition today. The 2010 edition took place in Turku, June 11 – 13, and brought together more than 3,000 gymnasts!

Every gymnastic discipline was represented: Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Aerobic, Acrobatic, and Gymnastics for All, to the delight of young and old. While there is a competition for the gymnasts who attend, the overall feel of this event is not competitive; and the emphasis is elsewhere. Athletes of all ages come to participate and share in a unique experience side by side.

It is up to SVOLI, the Finnish Gymnastics Federation, to attribute a different organising city for the Voimistelupäivät each year. In 2011, it falls to the Gym Club Jyväskylän Voimistelijat '79 of Jyväskylä on June 10 – 12.

Gym for Life Challenge in Australia

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 9, 2010: The first edition of the Gym for Life Challenge on a national level was organised in Australia in June 2010. With almost 250 participants making up 15 teams and with an age range of 6 to 56, the city of Bendigo, north of Melbourne, welcomed Gymnastics Australia and its first edition of the Gym 4 Life Challenge - Australia.

Click here for a detailed report.

We congratulate Gymnastics Australia and Organiser Petrina Hutchinson for a job well done, and hope that more FIG member federations will take the opportunity to hold a National Gym for Life Challenge.

The next worldwide event is scheduled for July 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. We hope to see a wide range of gymnastics teams at this second edition of the World Gym for Life Challenge.

Welcome!

Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist (SWE)
President of the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee

(c) Gymnastics Australia