77th FIG Congress in Helsinki (FIN)

Helsinki (FIN) - FIG Office, October 15, 2008: At the end of this crucial week, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) will renew its authorities for the coming Olympic Cycle 2009 - 2012. For its President, Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA), the first act of this Congress took place at the Government House, where the President of the Republic of Finland, Ms Tarja Halonen, welcomed the Executive Commission members of the Federation.

In her welcome address, Finland's first Lady reflected on the role of Sports in general and Gymnastics in particular in the well being of all generations. Active herself in sports, she is a fan of Rhythmic Gymnastics and did not miss a single competition during the last summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

From his side, Prof. Grandi was very pleased to underline the cultural content of Gymnastics in Finland and highlighted the essential role played by the President of the Federation, Ms Kirsti Partanen, in the appeasement of a conflict of interests between the gymnasts of different national communities and trends and in the unification of different trends and communities under the same label of SVOLI, which is proving a great national success.