By Vera Atkinson, FIG Editor.

'I WONDER WHAT THE NORMAL LIFE WOULD BE...'

Madrid (ESP) - FIG Office, December 13, 2008: He has been around, in the elite circuit of Gymnastics for 20 years and has gradually built himself a reputation as one of the best High Bar workers in the world.

He has taken part in two Olympic Games, four World Championships, 6 European Championships and numerous Internationals.

He has reached World Finals twice (6th in Ghent 2001 and 8th in Aarhus 2006); has won two European Bronze medals (in Ljubljana 2004 and Volos 2006) and more than a dozen medals in World Cup events since 2004.

Now, at 28, Christoph has chosen Madrid's World Cup Final to celebrate the ending of his career.

And here he is, at his last pre-competition, light- training session in the early December morning at the Telefonica Arena.

'This was a difficult decision to take because I have been in Gymnastics since I remember myself. I don't know what 'a normal life' is. A life without getting into the gym everyday seems to me a bit bizarre at this moment of time…but life continues, as they say. I will know that before long.'

Have you made records about all your participations and achievements; in Switzerland and abroad?
'No, I have never been much too bothered about this. The most satisfying fact that remains for me is that I have been twice Olympian and twice European medallist. This is what's given me the biggest satisfaction in my life in Gymnastics.'

You have outlined your coach Nicu Pascu as the most influential person in your life. Why?
'When I was a kid and took up gymnastics in our local club, my first coach was my father. Then I was in Bern and in Soleure for some years. From there on, I met Nicu and he has taken me from the Junior level through to the Senior and the highest International level. We have been together for 9 year and our collaboration has been perfect. Nicu has thought me the best of Gymnastics that I know.'

What is it that the general public does not understand about Gymnastics, Christoph?
'The people outside gymnastics do not have a clue how difficult our sport is.  Everything seems so fairly easy and entertaining to them.  Then, they don't understand our scoring system either.  All those A's and B's scores on the screens do not tell them much and as a result many of them loose interest about our sport. I think a simpler system of scoring would help the general public to understand better and appreciate more our sport more.'

Christoph Schaerer's last master performance on the High Bar will be on Sunday evening, 14 December 2008 at the Telefonica Arena, Madrid.  A good chance to give him a heartfelt applause for his mastery and his dignifying presence in Gymnastics throughout the last two decades.