SPARKLING GYMNASTICS!

Beijing (CHN) NIS FIG Office, August 19, 2008: Initiated in Atlanta 1996, the FIG Gymnastics GALA has become one of the major attractions for spectators, with unique performances featuring Olympic medallists and gymnastics competition itself. Among the last Gymnastics GALA, the host cities have brought its own culture and wisdom into the program, including the innovative thought in Atlanta 1996, the diversity in Sydney 2000 and the tales of legend in Athens 2004.

Apart from the opening ceremony and closing ceremony, the FIG Gymnastics GALA is one of the major performances that combined sport, art and entertainment together.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Gymnastics Gala will commence at 14:00 Beijing time on 20th August 2008, at the National Indoor Stadium.
All participants are mainly selected from the medallists of artistic gymnastics and trampoline gymnastics of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, as well as medallists from world championships. A number of outstanding gymnasts and Chinese pop stars will also appear in the GALA. It is the big party for top gymnasts all around the world.

The performances will include Olympic disciplines such as floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, horizontal bar, uneven bars, balance beam, rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline gymnastics; none Olympic discipline such as tumbling and acrobatic; art performances such as dancing, martial art, instrument performance and chorus.

The production team has a total number of 450 people. During the one year's preparation, the team has assembled top producers and performers in China. With elaborate schemes in programming, music, lighting and stage positioning, the production team will build the GALA show full of Chinese characteristics and distinguishable from last three Olympics. Currently, all program propositions have received approval from International Gymnastics Federation.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Gymnastics Gala will be presented by Mr. Michel Rouquette from France and Ms. Xu Chunni from China.