Finnish Sports & Culture

HELSINKI (FIN) - FIG Office, October 16, 2008: The President of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), Prof Bruno Grandi and the Honorary Vice President Norbert Bueche have been awarded with the Finnish Order of Merit Award, presented by the Minister of Sports & Culture, Mr. Stefan Wallin.

The ceremony took place at the Smolna Residence in the heart of the Finnish capital Helsinki, in the presence of the FIG Executive Committee members.
This distinction, the highest awarded by the Finnish State to a foreigner citizen, 'honours the career and the contribution of two leaders to the international gymnastics', as mentioned by the Minister in his introduction.

Mr. Grandi, FIG President since 1997, is a former gymnast, coach, international judge and took the highest responsibilities as a Professor of Physical Education, as President of the Italian Gymnastics Federation, Vice President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and Member of the International Olympic Committee. Norbert Bueche, elected in 1988, retired from his position of Secretary General in 2004. He was also a former gymnast himself, talented sports administrator, skillful negotiator, he's still acting as a consultant for the Federation.