South African Gymnastics Federation

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, February 17, 2010: Organiser of the 1st Gym For Life Challenge, Eva Thurnher (AUT), visited the SAGF offices in Cape Town (RSA) to assist the federation in preparing their bid for the 2013 Gym For Life Challenge.

Last year, officials of the South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) and the City of Cape Town visited Dornbirn (AUT) on a fact finding mission to understand the concept of the Gym for Life Challenge, a new event concept from the FIG. They returned from this trip with a commitment to bid for the 2nd Gym for Life Challenge in 2013, as Cape Town has the ultimate goal to bid for the World Gymnaestrada in 2019, an event that attracts over 22 000 participants.

With this in mind, the federation embarked to prepare for the presentation of the bid which will take place at the FIG Council Meeting to be held in May 2010. A thorough feasibility study, led by SAGF Manager of General Participation and Administration, Anne Cameron Smith, is being carried out which explores all the facets of organising the event. With Eva’s knowledge of the previous event, this has helped the federation to fully grasp the scope of the event and the various opportunities available to make this event work in Cape Town.

When asked whether Cape Town had the capacity to host the event, Eva’s reaction was one of confidence and belief in the abilities of the federation and the City of Cape Town. The federation is fortunate to be able to tap into such a valuable knowledge source.

(source: SAGF)

Gymnastics for All in the spotlight

SEOUL (KOR) / LAUSANNE (SUI) FIG Office, February 11, 2010: The FIG calendar highlight in Gymnastics for All, the World Gymnaestrada, takes place with great enthusiasm every 4 years. The next one, the 14th event, will be held from July 10 – 16, 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

Born in 1953 in Rotterdam (NED), this event was never staged outside Europe even though it attracts delegations from the 5 continents! In 2007 in Dornbirn (AUT), there were in total 22’000 participants.

Promotion of Gymnastics for All in Korea

Swedish FIG Gymnastics for All (GfA) Committee President Margaret Sikkens-Ahlquist took the opportunity to hold a meeting in Seoul to promote and raise awareness not only about the hosting and organisation of a World Gymnaestrada on the Asian continent, but also to explain how positive an impact such an event may have for the development of Gymnastics for All in the country, the region and the host city.

The FIG delegation comprised of Messrs Tatsuo Araki (JPN), GfA Committee Vice President, and Flemming Knudsen (DEN), member, were very pleased with the interest and enthusiasm shown by the Korean Federation and are working forward to future development.

From the land of morning calm

Seoul (KOR) will host the FIG Gymnaestrada course from February 04 to 07, 2010. This important event will bring together participants from Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Japan, Nepal, Mongolia, Qatar and Korea, representing more than 14 officials and 30 coaches.

The course will be directed by the President of the Gymnastics for All Committee, Mrs Margaret Sikkens-Ahlquist (SWE), assisted by Members Fleming Knudsen (DEN) and Tatsuo Araki (JPN). It will be theoretical but also practical session where they will present the concept of the event. Also the Organizing Committee from Lausanne will attend to report about the World Gymnaestrada 2011 to be held in the Olympic Capital.

The course is hosted by the Korean Gymnastics Federation and takes place in the Olympic Sportel, close to the Olympic Park Seoul, where the FIG celebrated its Olympians in 1988, among them Valeri Liukin, Elena Chouchounova, Marina Lobach for the USSR and Daniela Silivas for Romania.

49th International Sports Festival Blume Gran Canaria
Las Palmas (ESP), November 21-28, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, December 16, 2009: Traditionally home to the Spanish Gymnaestrada and as the biggest sports centre on the Canary Islands, the Centro Insular de Desportes is the place where those who have a passion for sport congregate to celebrate it!

Delegations representing 11 nations with over 6,500 active participants made up the Big Blume Gala 2009 and the 50th jubilee edition will take place next year. The festival features pyramid builders, dance groups and high class sportive gymnastic performances, all to the tune of original choreography and delivered by high level school sport classes from 5 Spanish states and 21 municipalities of the Grand Canary Island.

With two big show events in the Pabellòn Municipal of Arucas and a finale in the Juan Beltran Sports Centre in Las Palmas, the 49th edition of the Blume Festival was an 8 day tribute to 4 times Artistic Gymnastics European Champion Joaquin Blume, who passed away in 1959. (Read a tribute to Joaquin Blume published earlier this year.)

In May 2010, the FIG Council will decide whether the island is also to be the backdrop for the World Gymnaestrada 2015; expert organisers of the Blume Festival are on the official candidate list alongside Oslo/Lillestroem (NOR), Helsinki (FIN) and Gothenburg (SWE).

The Big Blume Gala 2009 – Centro Insular Deportes

Yet another fantastically colourful and diverse Gala took place on November 26, the 49th of its kind, and a whole slew of new aspects made this gym show a breathtaking blend of mass sports. 146 single groups took part in a variety of venues throughout the Blume week.

The best of some 6,500 Spanish participants from schools, clubs, federations and kindergartens of the Canary Islands and the Spanish mainland presented themselves in traditional dress at the Blume Gala. Participation is an honour for those who have excelled during training through innovative choreographies or self-made, creative costumes.

The Spanish hosts were particularly delighted to share in this gym festival with 45 international groups hailing from 11 different nations.

(source: LOC Blume Gran Canaria / adapt. FIG)

Gymnastics for All Colloquium – Safety in group performances
Lausanne (SUI), November 27-28, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 30, 2009: The FIG Gymnastics for All Committee had invited all FIG member federations to participate in this year’s colloquium with the theme Safety in Group Performances.

19 participants from 13 Federations and 3 Continental Gymnastics Unions gathered in Lausanne (SUI) from November 27-28 to hear, discuss and exchange experiences and ideas pertaining to safety in Gymnastics for All.

The colloquium took place at the University of Lausanne, which opened the way for participants to meet personally with representatives of the OC World Gymnaestrada 2011.

Theoretical presentations punctuated the first day of the colloquium, while the second day was given primarily to theory and practice.

“Perhaps the most important part of the colloquium was the vivid exchange of experiences and ideas between the FIG member federations,” stated Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist, President of the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee. “Ongoing discussions between participants were an important part of the event and I am sure everyone left the colloquium with more knowledge and several good ideas for further development within their own federation.”

We all understand the importance of safety and how giving precedence to education at every level is the best way to deal with this topic. Safety is a main topic covered by the FIG Foundation Course of Gymnastics. Three of these educational courses were successfully staged this year: Thiès (SEN), Port of Spain (TRI) and Tashkent (UZB). In 2010, Jamaica, Malta, Finland and the Czech Republic jointly with Slovakia are planning to host a Foundations of Gymnastics Course (see FIG Academies section for more information. Schedule 2010; Reviews 2009).

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

Sport and Gymnastics for All

LAUSANNE (SUI), November 26, 2009: Next year, the Finnish city of Jyväskylä will host the International Olympic Committee’s 13th Sport for All Congress from June 14 – 17. Several hundred representatives of sport and health from around the globe will travel to Finland to sit in on presentations given by key-note speakers, notably Tatsuo Araki (JPN), Vice-President of the Gymnastics for All Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation and Professor of Gymnastics and Choreography at Tokyo’s Nippon Sport Science University.

Considered an authority on the subject in Japan, Mr Araki’s address will focus on gymnastics in the workplace, at home and as a day to day activity. Using television and magazine columns as a vehicle, he teaches people how to warm up their bodies in preparation for daily work tasks by making use of what they have on hand. The results are spectacular. The Japanese simply love it; they feel better at work and are excited about feeling healthy again.

Passing through the Olympic City of Lausanne, Tatsuo Araki took the opportunity to shake hands with the IOC Director of Sports Christophe Dubi, and to expound on the presentation he will be giving at the Congress in Finland next June.

Margaret Sikkens-Ahlquist (SWE), President of the Gymnastics for All Committee and Member of the IOC Sport for All Committee, will deliver the FIG’s battle cry to Congress participants in Jyväskylä. Hers is a gymnastics that targets both men and women of any age, and it comes in response to an increasingly sedentary way of life, coupled with weight issues, lack of exercise and the subsequent consequences of that on one’s overall health, which go so far as to include obesity and cardiovascular accidents.

According to Tatsuo Araki, gymnastics in the workplace is a source of recreation, motivation and a golden opportunity to cut health costs and stay in Olympic shape!

GFA Committee Meeting and Colloquium on safety
Lausanne (SUI), November 20-25, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 24, 2009: The FIG Gymnastics for All Committee is currently holding an ordinary meeting at the FIG Head Office in Lausanne (SUI) from November 23-25, 2009, followed by a colloquium on safety in group performances on Friday and Saturday.

2011 World Gymnaestrada

Prior to the meeting last weekend, the Committee convened with Local Organising Committee representatives for the 2011 World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne. During this second of a total of three joint meetings of the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee and the LOC, updates were given in each operational area. The LOC reported in detail on preparation progress, notably in terms of logistics, the general programme, scheduled events and communication with the national federations.

Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist (SWE), President of the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, was very pleased with how preparations are going thus far for the world’s largest gymnastic sporting event in 2011. “The meeting went very well,” she stated. “The Organising Committee is extremely prepared and we are well on schedule. All necessary information has been provided and we’ve found an efficient way to cooperate.” Sikkens Ahlquist was happy to report a very positive working atmosphere.

The final joint meeting is planned to take place late in 2010 or early 2011.

Colloquium on safety in group performances

20 representatives from 17 different federations are expected to participate in a colloquium on safety in group performances hinging specifically on apparatus gymnastics, November 27-28. Guest speakers will address the key topic, and the participating federations will lead discussion rounds and offer a range of presentations. The following are some of the themes figuring on the colloquium’s agenda:

• Safety from a scientific perspective (Hardy Fink, FIG Director of Education Programmes)
• Injuries in Gymnastics and how they can be avoided (Jérôme Hübscher, Brigitte Häni, Robin Alder, (SUI))
• Safety in Tumbling (Jesper Sandfeld (DEN))
• Floor (Miroslav Zítko, Jan Chrudimský (CZE))
• Mini-Trampoline (Cédric Bovey (SUI))

Gymnaestrada 2015

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 2, 2009: As of November 1, 2009, the deadline for candidates to place their bids for the 15th World Gymnaestrada 2015, a total of four federations had contacted the FIG. These are Spain for Maspalomas / Grand Canary, Finland for Helsinki, Norway for Lillestroem and Sweden for Göteborg. The name of the host city will be revealed following a vote by the FIG Council in May of 2010 in Chiba (JPN).

The interest shown by these federations is witness to the growing popularity and vitality of Gymnastics for All. A FIG Committee delegation will visit each of the cities to evaluate and assess their bids. Sweden is the only country among the candidates to have organised an event of this scale, in 1999 already in Göteborg.

The most recent edition of the Gymnaestrada, held in Dornbirn (AUT) in 2007, attracted 22,000 gymnasts. Lausanne (SUI), host city for 2011, expects more than 25,000! The World Gymnaestrada is the signature cultural event of the FIG and the most important gathering on its calendar.

Keep in mind that Cape Town (RSA) has placed a bid for the 2nd edition of the Gym for Life World Challenge in 2013, the second major event on the FIG Gymnastics for All calendar.

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, September 03, 2009: From November 26 to 29, 2009, the Olympic capital and FIG’s hometown Lausanne, is hosting an international Colloquium organized by the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, at the University of Lausanne.

This colloquium includes theoretical lectures with practical aspects and the target group is National course instructors and/or Coaches participating with groups at the World Gymnaestrada and the Gym for Life Challenge. This Colloquium will give the participants the possibility to visit the city of Lausanne that will organise the World Gymnaestrada 2011.

The deadline for registration has been postponed to September 15.

All details and full information are available on the FIG calendar. Contact Person: Alexandre Cola, Sports Manager, acola@fig-gymnastics.org

Welcome to Lausanne!

Dornbirn (AUT) FIG Office, July 18, 2009: The GC Piruett Elite Group of Tallin, Estonia has been crowned the first World Club Champion ever to go down in the annals of the International Gymnastics Federation. This group now holds the official Grandi Trophy, awarded personally by the President of the Federation. Created by the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, the cup is a first of its kind for interclub events and as such goes down in FIG history today.

80 clubs from 27 countries and representing 3 continents underwent a selective process; a total of 2,000 gymnasts. After two days of elimination, 14 clubs were selected for the final. As expected, nations with a strong, ancestral tradition in gymnastics (Switzerland, Norway, Germany and Italy) qualified several clubs each. Observers were excited to note the emergence of newer groups from countries such as Estonia and Turkey.

The quality of performance was astoundingly high for strictly amateur participation. Diversity was abundant. The groups made use of extensive forms of body expression, either with or without apparatus, to work their magic on evaluators and fans alike.

A sure-fire future
A number of the 32 foreign observers present in Dornbirn and acting as a sounding board for this event are looking to organise a new edition of the Gym for Life World Challenge. The contest meets the demands of millions of gymnasts worldwide, and is sure to draw future commercial partners and the media with its extraordinary potential. The product is high-calibre, as are the gymnasts who make it happens and the public we look forward to seeing at future editions.

The FIG has been successful in its attempt to offer the millions of gymnasts that make up its foundational discipline a brand-new event that will alternate with the traditional World Gymnaestrada. The concept was devised in the spirit of furthering the Federation's reach and its efforts to reinforce Gymnastics for All activity, the cornerstone of the entire gymnastics edifice and on which repose the sport's competitive elite.

Gym for Life World Challenge

LAUSANNE (SUI) FIG Office, July 6, 2009: From July 15 – 19, 2009, Dornbirn (AUT) will host the premiere edition of the Gym for Life World Challenge and crown a World Champion Gymnastics Club.

80 groups will be participating, among which a group of Brazilians hailing from the Instituto de Esportes e Cultura in Nova Friburgo and coached by Silvana Schwartz Noel. The group was in Dornbirn back in 2007 at the World Gymnaestrada and went on to cross Europe, performing in several capital cities. Having participated faithfully since 1991, these gymnasts know the ropes where GfA is concerned.

They left an impression on the FIG in December of 2006 at the celebrated Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Final in Sao Paulo (BRA), when they rocked the Sports Palace with original, enthusiastic and high-quality choreography.

In Dornbirn, INEC of Nova Friburgo will perform before a panel of experts in the hopes of winning the gymnastics clubs World Title.

We’ve got our fingers crossed!

Silvana is passionate about Gymnastics for All! Touring across the world, she and her group never lack for uproarious applause!

Gymnastic Clubs face the experts

LAUSANNE (SUI) FIG Office, July 2, 2009: In just a few short days, on July 18 in Dornbirn, the world will know the name of the first ever World Champion Gymnastic Club. The FIG and its Gymnastics for All Committee have organised the premiere edition of this event under the banner of the Gym for Life World Challenge.

Participation has skyrocketed beyond our wildest dreams: 80 clubs, 1,800 gymnasts and 27 countries from 3 continents. All novice gymnasts, they have been divided into 3 age groups presenting one 5-minute exercise each. A college of experts will evaluate the performances using precise criteria, and will designate the ultimate World Club Champion.

We’re looking forward to seeing European clubs with longstanding gymnastic traditions up against the fieriness of the Brazilian seleçao and the aesthetic beauty of the Asian groups. The Challenge is also a place for cultural diversity and exchange among peoples from all corners of the world.

A microsite has been developed exclusively for this world title event, and was launched today at http://www.dornbirn2009.sportcentric.com.

FIG Gym for Life Challenge
Dornbirn (AUT), July 15 - 19, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 23, 2009: From July 15 – 19, 2009, 80 gymnastic clubs from 27 countries will contend for the first trophy ever awarded at a FIG Gym for Life Challenge. 1,800 amateur gymnasts will participate in the premiere Gymnastics for All event featuring a full-blown ranking list and winning club.

Historically, the FIG has foregone any type of contest in Gymnastics for All, opting instead for a World Gymnaestrada that unites 25,000 gymnasts every four years. But with gymnastic clubs everywhere soliciting the Federation for a competitive event, the Gymnastics for All Committee finally spearheaded a four-year cycle contest, alternating with the World Gymnaestrada and during which participating clubs will be evaluated by a college of experts.

The Gym For Life Challenge will crown the world’s first ever Gymnastics for All Club Champion in FIG history.

Gymnastics for All

DORNBIRN (AUT) - LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 11, 2009: The press was invited to visit the venue for the premiere FIG Gym for Life Challenge yesterday, set for July 15 – 19, 2009. The event is a new and unique concept designed to crown a winning World Club Champion, and yesterday was a chance for journalists to get a feel for the scope of the contest in terms of numbers: 27 countries, 80 clubs, 1,930 gymnasts.

Seven delegations considering organising a future edition of the Challenge attended as observers. The event responds to a growing demand on the part of a broad swath of the FIG’s amateur gymnasts, notably Gymnastics for All, which translates into some 50 million club member gymnasts worldwide.
More numbers

The Austrian organisers are working with a € 530'000 budget, and count on the support of the local population and political authorities of Dornbirn, Vorarlberg and all of Austria. All 1,930 amateur gymnasts will be lodged in local schools, as was the case at the 2007 World Gymnaestrada when the same organisers hosted 23,000 participants!

Thousands of spectators are expected to flock to Dornbirn’s Exhibition Hall and Ice Rink, where the first ever World Club Champion will be crowned.
This world clubs championship will take place every 4 years, alternating with the World Gymnaestrada, the next edition of which is set for 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

Gym for Life Challenge

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, June 8, 2009: The Gym for Life Challenge is a whole new event concept developed by the International Gymnastics Federation. It involves the evaluation of club performances by a college of experts and a winning club. The winner will be crowned World Clubs Champion!

The competition is open to groups of any size or age group. It is a Gymnastics for All event held alternately with the World Gymnaestrada, a gymnastic festival first held in Rotterdam (NED) in 1953.

The FIG Gym for Life Challenge gives breadth to the Federation’s competitive calendar and satisfies the growing demand put forth by Gymnastics for All, the FIG’s foundational discipline that boasts over 50 million licensed amateur gymnasts worldwide.

The Concept

3 Age Group categories are available: 16 and under, 17 and over, and mixed. They’re divided into two divisions: groups of 20 gymnasts or less (small groups) and of 21 gymnasts or more (large groups). Each group is allotted a maximum of 5 minutes to present their exercise, either with or without apparatus or music, and on a 20 x 30 metre stage.

A ranking list will be established, and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded. The gold groups in their respective categories will be invited to perform in a final Gala, at which time the highest scoring club will be crowned World Clubs Champion.

Scoring

The groups will be evaluated by a college of experts specifically designated from among the Federation’s technicians and choreographers by the Gymnastics for All Committee. They will watch for entertainment value, overall impression, innovation, originality, variety, technique and skill safety.

Education

A wide range of theoretical and practical workshops will be given parallel to the Challenge, focusing on Gymnastics for All topics such as gymnastics & dance, fitness, health and apparatus work. The workshops will be open to coaches, leaders, spectators and gymnasts alike in the aim of promoting a greater awareness of pleasure, fitness, a healthy lifestyle and friendship. Such are the fundamental values outlined in the statutes of the oldest established international sport federation worldwide.