Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, September 18, 2008: One month prior to the opening of the 77th Congress and General Assembly of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), organisers at the Finnish Gymnastics Federation have announced the registration of 100 federations, with the number of participants exceeding 400!

These numbers are gaining on Atlanta’s record participation in 1996, when 102 federations participated in the election of current FIG President, Prof. Bruno Grandi.

The Helsinki Congress marks the renewing of FIG authorities. And while the incumbent President and three Vice Presidents are candidates for re-election, the Executive will be newly electing nearly one-third of its members. The FIG counts a record number of candidates (155) for election to some 93 positions. Certain committees will be profoundly affected structurally, with numerous members retiring from their positions.

The first congressional participants are expected as early as October 17 in Finland’s capital city.