By Veronique Bury FIG Editor.

A SENSATIONAL FINALE

Beijing (CHN) BTG FIG Office, August 21, 2008: A fabulous two-hour gala marked the close of the artistic and trampoline gymnastics events of the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday, August 20.

A final gala was initiated at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and is a last chance opportunity to see medallists from these Games, in this case the Chinese, and other internationally acclaimed gymnasts such as Fabian Hambeuchen and Oxana Chusovitina perform at their signature apparatus. In Beijing, it offered the Chinese spectators who flocked to the event a moment to discover the wide range of disciplines on the Federation's most diverse bill of fare.

The national Chinese aerobic, acrobatic and tumbling gymnastics teams gave breathtaking performances that drew huge applause. Organisers offered a number of splendid entr'actes, weaving the music of choirs, traditional melodies and Chinese-inspired choreography with style.

A sensational show and one which rhythmic gymnasts didn't want to miss, though rhythmic competitions have yet to begin.

Well done!