BUDAPEST (HUN) - LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 10, 2009: The President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Prof. Bruno Grandi, was honoured with a degree of Dr Honoris Causa from the Semmelweis University of Budapest (HUN). The distinction pays tribute to his humanitarian commitment to sport as a whole and to his contribution to education and the healthy lifestyle made possible by practising sport at any age.

It was upon the initiative of Dr Pal Hamar, Professor and Director of the University’s Faculty of Physical Education, that the title was conferred upon Dr Grandi in the presence of the highest dignitaries in Hungarian sport, notably Dr Tamas Ajan, President of the International Weightlifting Federation and Member of the IOC. Among those invited to the ceremony, two Hungarian medallists from the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne: Erzsebet Koteles and Alice Kertesz (Team Ribbon) as well as a number of representatives of the Hungarian Gymnastics Federation.

In his address Professor Grandi commented on the resolutions put forth by the International Olympic Committee at its recent Congress in Copenhagen. He strongly emphasised the importance of giving the utmost attention to the athletes at all times. “The athlete is at the centre of all sport activity. He is a vehicle for the message proclaimed by the Olympic Movement. He is an example, a reference for tomorrow’s athletes who will bring life to the canvas that is sport.” And in reference to his own work in sport: “The age of gymnasts, their health and sport justice are and always will be issues that I take very seriously.”

Dr Hamar recalled the highlights of Bruno Grandi’s career, from his beginnings as an athlete and national coach to his position as an international judge and his rise in 1996 to the FIG presidency; he gave recognition to a man of humanitarian vision and of a universal commitment to making sport justice triumph.