Dornbirn (AUT) / Moutier FIG Office (SUI), June 23, 2008: The countdown has begun for the premier Gym for Life Challenge in Dornbirn, in the heart of the Austrian Vorarlberg region, where the first international competitive event for Gymnastic for All groups is set for July 15 - 19, 2009. Organisers are expecting thousands of athletes for this first of its kind event, at the close of which a college of experts will attribute scores to all participating groups.

The Challenge has been deemed a tremendous success by gymnasts everywhere, who have been calling for a major, international and biennial event alternately with the World Gymnaestrada. The FIG, together with its Gymnastics for All Committee, has supported the project, and created the Gym for Life Challenge, a long awaited event in the halls of gymnastic clubs throughout the world.

The event is a dream come true for the President of the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, Ms Margaret Sikkens-Ahlquist (SWE), who has long championed the idea of extending the discipline to include a more modernised 'Sport Contest', open only to amateurs but winning international acclaim nonetheless. 'Gymnastics for All deserves more than the single quadrennial event that is the Gymnaestrada. Millions of gymnasts of all ages who practise gymnastics on a daily basis are going to be thrilled by this event,' declared the President at a press conference held in Dornbirn.

FIG President Professor Bruno Grandi has always militated in favour of the development of Gymnastics for All, conscious as he is of the cultural potential the discipline wields and of its virtues, which promote health and well-being among all those who practise the sport.

Actors on the stage of the premier Gym for Life Challenge: From left: Erwin Reis, CEO; Flemming Knudsen (DEN - FIG GFA Committee); Eva  Thurnher (LOC Administration); Monika Reis (LOC), Margaret Sikkens-Ahlquist (SWE - FIG GFA Committee President), Alexandre Cola (FIG Staff), Oliver Stocker (LOC - Marketing) et Monika Siskova (SVK - FIG Committee).

Thus, Dornbirn revives a tradition of hospitality; one that the City splendidly illustrated in 2007 when 22,000 gymnasts flocked to its Messepark for the 13th World Gymnaestrada.

Dornbirn 2009 is only 394 days away! It's now up to the groups and delegations themselves to sign up and get ready to compete. We're expecting quite a crowd for this worldwide premier !