Gymnaestrada 2015

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, November 2, 2009: As of November 1, 2009, the deadline for candidates to place their bids for the 15th World Gymnaestrada 2015, a total of four federations had contacted the FIG. These are Spain for Maspalomas / Grand Canary, Finland for Helsinki, Norway for Lillestroem and Sweden for Göteborg. The name of the host city will be revealed following a vote by the FIG Council in May of 2010 in Chiba (JPN).

The interest shown by these federations is witness to the growing popularity and vitality of Gymnastics for All. A FIG Committee delegation will visit each of the cities to evaluate and assess their bids. Sweden is the only country among the candidates to have organised an event of this scale, in 1999 already in Göteborg.

The most recent edition of the Gymnaestrada, held in Dornbirn (AUT) in 2007, attracted 22,000 gymnasts. Lausanne (SUI), host city for 2011, expects more than 25,000! The World Gymnaestrada is the signature cultural event of the FIG and the most important gathering on its calendar.

Keep in mind that Cape Town (RSA) has placed a bid for the 2nd edition of the Gym for Life World Challenge in 2013, the second major event on the FIG Gymnastics for All calendar.

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, September 03, 2009: From November 26 to 29, 2009, the Olympic capital and FIG’s hometown Lausanne, is hosting an international Colloquium organized by the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, at the University of Lausanne.

This colloquium includes theoretical lectures with practical aspects and the target group is National course instructors and/or Coaches participating with groups at the World Gymnaestrada and the Gym for Life Challenge. This Colloquium will give the participants the possibility to visit the city of Lausanne that will organise the World Gymnaestrada 2011.

The deadline for registration has been postponed to September 15.

All details and full information are available on the FIG calendar. Contact Person: Alexandre Cola, Sports Manager, acola@fig-gymnastics.org

Welcome to Lausanne!

Dornbirn (AUT) FIG Office, July 18, 2009: The GC Piruett Elite Group of Tallin, Estonia has been crowned the first World Club Champion ever to go down in the annals of the International Gymnastics Federation. This group now holds the official Grandi Trophy, awarded personally by the President of the Federation. Created by the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, the cup is a first of its kind for interclub events and as such goes down in FIG history today.

80 clubs from 27 countries and representing 3 continents underwent a selective process; a total of 2,000 gymnasts. After two days of elimination, 14 clubs were selected for the final. As expected, nations with a strong, ancestral tradition in gymnastics (Switzerland, Norway, Germany and Italy) qualified several clubs each. Observers were excited to note the emergence of newer groups from countries such as Estonia and Turkey.

The quality of performance was astoundingly high for strictly amateur participation. Diversity was abundant. The groups made use of extensive forms of body expression, either with or without apparatus, to work their magic on evaluators and fans alike.

A sure-fire future
A number of the 32 foreign observers present in Dornbirn and acting as a sounding board for this event are looking to organise a new edition of the Gym for Life World Challenge. The contest meets the demands of millions of gymnasts worldwide, and is sure to draw future commercial partners and the media with its extraordinary potential. The product is high-calibre, as are the gymnasts who make it happens and the public we look forward to seeing at future editions.

The FIG has been successful in its attempt to offer the millions of gymnasts that make up its foundational discipline a brand-new event that will alternate with the traditional World Gymnaestrada. The concept was devised in the spirit of furthering the Federation's reach and its efforts to reinforce Gymnastics for All activity, the cornerstone of the entire gymnastics edifice and on which repose the sport's competitive elite.

Gym for Life World Challenge

LAUSANNE (SUI) FIG Office, July 6, 2009: From July 15 – 19, 2009, Dornbirn (AUT) will host the premiere edition of the Gym for Life World Challenge and crown a World Champion Gymnastics Club.

80 groups will be participating, among which a group of Brazilians hailing from the Instituto de Esportes e Cultura in Nova Friburgo and coached by Silvana Schwartz Noel. The group was in Dornbirn back in 2007 at the World Gymnaestrada and went on to cross Europe, performing in several capital cities. Having participated faithfully since 1991, these gymnasts know the ropes where GfA is concerned.

They left an impression on the FIG in December of 2006 at the celebrated Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Final in Sao Paulo (BRA), when they rocked the Sports Palace with original, enthusiastic and high-quality choreography.

In Dornbirn, INEC of Nova Friburgo will perform before a panel of experts in the hopes of winning the gymnastics clubs World Title.

We’ve got our fingers crossed!

Silvana is passionate about Gymnastics for All! Touring across the world, she and her group never lack for uproarious applause!

Gymnastic Clubs face the experts

LAUSANNE (SUI) FIG Office, July 2, 2009: In just a few short days, on July 18 in Dornbirn, the world will know the name of the first ever World Champion Gymnastic Club. The FIG and its Gymnastics for All Committee have organised the premiere edition of this event under the banner of the Gym for Life World Challenge.

Participation has skyrocketed beyond our wildest dreams: 80 clubs, 1,800 gymnasts and 27 countries from 3 continents. All novice gymnasts, they have been divided into 3 age groups presenting one 5-minute exercise each. A college of experts will evaluate the performances using precise criteria, and will designate the ultimate World Club Champion.

We’re looking forward to seeing European clubs with longstanding gymnastic traditions up against the fieriness of the Brazilian seleçao and the aesthetic beauty of the Asian groups. The Challenge is also a place for cultural diversity and exchange among peoples from all corners of the world.

A microsite has been developed exclusively for this world title event, and was launched today at http://www.dornbirn2009.sportcentric.com.

FIG Gym for Life Challenge
Dornbirn (AUT), July 15 - 19, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 23, 2009: From July 15 – 19, 2009, 80 gymnastic clubs from 27 countries will contend for the first trophy ever awarded at a FIG Gym for Life Challenge. 1,800 amateur gymnasts will participate in the premiere Gymnastics for All event featuring a full-blown ranking list and winning club.

Historically, the FIG has foregone any type of contest in Gymnastics for All, opting instead for a World Gymnaestrada that unites 25,000 gymnasts every four years. But with gymnastic clubs everywhere soliciting the Federation for a competitive event, the Gymnastics for All Committee finally spearheaded a four-year cycle contest, alternating with the World Gymnaestrada and during which participating clubs will be evaluated by a college of experts.

The Gym For Life Challenge will crown the world’s first ever Gymnastics for All Club Champion in FIG history.

Gymnastics for All

DORNBIRN (AUT) - LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 11, 2009: The press was invited to visit the venue for the premiere FIG Gym for Life Challenge yesterday, set for July 15 – 19, 2009. The event is a new and unique concept designed to crown a winning World Club Champion, and yesterday was a chance for journalists to get a feel for the scope of the contest in terms of numbers: 27 countries, 80 clubs, 1,930 gymnasts.

Seven delegations considering organising a future edition of the Challenge attended as observers. The event responds to a growing demand on the part of a broad swath of the FIG’s amateur gymnasts, notably Gymnastics for All, which translates into some 50 million club member gymnasts worldwide.
More numbers

The Austrian organisers are working with a € 530'000 budget, and count on the support of the local population and political authorities of Dornbirn, Vorarlberg and all of Austria. All 1,930 amateur gymnasts will be lodged in local schools, as was the case at the 2007 World Gymnaestrada when the same organisers hosted 23,000 participants!

Thousands of spectators are expected to flock to Dornbirn’s Exhibition Hall and Ice Rink, where the first ever World Club Champion will be crowned.
This world clubs championship will take place every 4 years, alternating with the World Gymnaestrada, the next edition of which is set for 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

Gym for Life Challenge

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, June 8, 2009: The Gym for Life Challenge is a whole new event concept developed by the International Gymnastics Federation. It involves the evaluation of club performances by a college of experts and a winning club. The winner will be crowned World Clubs Champion!

The competition is open to groups of any size or age group. It is a Gymnastics for All event held alternately with the World Gymnaestrada, a gymnastic festival first held in Rotterdam (NED) in 1953.

The FIG Gym for Life Challenge gives breadth to the Federation’s competitive calendar and satisfies the growing demand put forth by Gymnastics for All, the FIG’s foundational discipline that boasts over 50 million licensed amateur gymnasts worldwide.

The Concept

3 Age Group categories are available: 16 and under, 17 and over, and mixed. They’re divided into two divisions: groups of 20 gymnasts or less (small groups) and of 21 gymnasts or more (large groups). Each group is allotted a maximum of 5 minutes to present their exercise, either with or without apparatus or music, and on a 20 x 30 metre stage.

A ranking list will be established, and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded. The gold groups in their respective categories will be invited to perform in a final Gala, at which time the highest scoring club will be crowned World Clubs Champion.

Scoring

The groups will be evaluated by a college of experts specifically designated from among the Federation’s technicians and choreographers by the Gymnastics for All Committee. They will watch for entertainment value, overall impression, innovation, originality, variety, technique and skill safety.

Education

A wide range of theoretical and practical workshops will be given parallel to the Challenge, focusing on Gymnastics for All topics such as gymnastics & dance, fitness, health and apparatus work. The workshops will be open to coaches, leaders, spectators and gymnasts alike in the aim of promoting a greater awareness of pleasure, fitness, a healthy lifestyle and friendship. Such are the fundamental values outlined in the statutes of the oldest established international sport federation worldwide.

Gymnastics contest

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, June 3, 2009: With kick-off for the premier edition of the Gym for Life Challenge just 40 days away, the FIG is pleased to announce that participation objectives have been reached with 80 clubs on the starting line.

Much to the satisfaction of a large majority of fans, this is the first time since its founding in 1881 that the FIG has granted Gymnastics for All a contest event, one duly scored by a college of experts. The rules welcome novice groups of any size and with gymnasts of all ages.

The competition is set for July 15 – 19, 2009 in Dornbirn, in the heart of Austrian Vorarlberg. 2,000 gymnasts from some 5 continents will unite under the banner of gymnastics. And at the close of the event one single club will be crowned World Champion for a four-year term, handing over its title to a succeeding champion at the 2013 Gym for Life Challenge.

A totally new concept, the Challenge will be held every four years, alternating with the World Gymnaestrada, the 11th edition of which is set for Lausanne (SUI) in 2011.

Coimbra (POR) / Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, May 20, 2009: More than 4000 Gymnasts perform in the Portuguese Gymnaestrada in Coimbra recently! The city of Coimbra (former host of the 2005 UEG European Aerobic Championships and the 2006 FIG Acro World Championships) hosted the 7th edition of the “PortugalGYM – National Gymnaestrada” that is held every two years. This GpT Festival gathered this year more than 4000 gymnasts in an event that will be remembered by all participants.

The participants were offered with three main public stages (Dolce Vita Shopping Mall, the grounds of the St. Clara-a-Velha Convent and Coimbra Green Park stage) where they could perform and display their routines.

This event also included the Gymnastic National Finals for the School Sports Area and a stage of the National Fitness Challenge.

Apart from the opening parade and daily workshops the 2009 PortugalGYM had two unforgettable Gala Shows, both happening at the Coimbra City Stadium (Euro2004 match stadium): The opening Gala, where the teams from all over Portugal presented the different areas of Gymnastics for All and the so called Mr. Reis Pinto Gala, after 2004 the GFP Board of Directors decided to dedicate the final PortugalGYM Gala to the memory of it’s former President (Mr. Reis Pinto).

This is the “must-be” event and all the participating groups are chosen during the first days of the Festival.

In total where held 250 public performances done by more than 100 groups from 60 national clubs.

The next PortugalGYM will be held in 2011 a few weeks before of the 14th World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne!

SeniorGYM 2009
The Gymnastics Federation of Portugal and the Municipality of Torres Vedras have held the 4th edition of the most important national Gymnastics Festival for the +50 Generation: SeniorGym’09.

This unique national Gym Festival held in mid April attracted more than 3500 gymnasts of the best age (+50) from across the country and offered them a full day of gymnastics activity enriched with an opening parade, city performances, thematic workshops and culminating in a “global” master-class where all participants reunited and performed gymnastics choreographies.

This Festival also offered an exhibition fair dedicated to the “Health and Good Living” theme where all the participants could find information and goods.

The GpT Technical Department is already working on the 7th SeniorGYM – Health and Active Life Gymnastics Festival that will take place in the Portuguese city of Sines next September.

Gymnastics course in Senegal

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, May 12, 2009: From May 8 - 15, 2009, the National Committee for the Promotion of Gymnastics in Senegal (CNPGS) is hosting the FIG Foundation course with participants from Senegal, Cap Verde and Algeria.

Twenty five participants are actively learning about gymnastic movement patterns, bio-mechanics, music, basic movement and much more at the Sport Complex of the City of Thiès (SEN).

In addition to establishing effective organisational structures, the implementation of quality coach education and training systems are of paramount importance with respect to the ongoing growth and development of gymnastics in any country. With this in mind the FIG has established an Academy programme that not only caters to the educational needs of coaches working within the high performance arena, it recognises the important role our sport plays in the health, fitness and well-being of its participants.

The Foundations of Gymnastics course underpins the FIG’s Academy programme and is the starting point for coaches wishing to work in any gymnastic discipline, with any age group, and in either a competitive or recreational field.

The Senegal Gymnastics Federation has prepared the course in a very professional way and the instructors, Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist, Keith Russell, Fredric Pivotti and Paulo Barata, are very satisfied with both the organisation and the participants.

Premiere international gymnastics interclub meet

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, May 5, 2009: Of the 1,800 gymnasts from 26 countries expected in Dornbirn, who will walk away with the first gymnastic clubs FIG Trophy in hand? One thing’s for sure, those who are part of one of the 70 clubs registered for the first Gym For Life contest in FIG history dream of nothing else. The event will be held in Dornbirn (AUT), July 15 – 19 of this year.

This is a truly historic event, one the international gymnastics community has long been awaiting. It is the first time since the Federation’s founding in 1881 that the FIG has approved an official World Contest in Gymnastics for All. Up till now, gymnastic clubs have performed for the public without being scored, notably at the World Gymnaestradas. But from here on out, the FIG’s founding discipline will enjoy a World Contest for clubs and the official titles to defend on a four year cycle, alternating with the Gymnaestrada.

Premiere FIG Challenge

Participating groups will be divided into six categories in Dornbirn. On July 16 – 17, each group will have a 5 minute window to perform, during which all gymnastic elements will be authorised; apparatus and musical accompaniment optional. The group will be evaluated by a panel of experts using pre-established criteria such as entertainment value, overall impression, innovativeness, originality, technique and safety. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in 6 podium categories.

Saturday, July 18th at 18:30 sharp, a prestigious Gala will feature presentations by the 6 Gold medal winning groups contending for the World Gymnastics Contest title, inclusive of all categories.

The FIG Gym For Life Challenge is the place to be!

Japan shares in global effort

TOKYO (JPN) - LAUSANNE (SUI) FIG Office, April 24, 2009: The Japanese are known for hard work and attention to detail. What we didn’t know was just how committed they are to exercise in the workplace; an indicator of longevity, physical fitness and a healthy work environment. Vice President of the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee Tatsuo Araki (JPN) makes it a point to visit a variety of work environments in an effort to champion the cause.

Tatsuo Araki (left) is the first to set the example for Japanese farmers. Office workers (right) join in!

His latest fitness at work campaign made the headlines as newspapers from all over the archipelago printed employee testimonials expressing their gratitude for the programme. A clear-cut message, practical tips and hands-on demonstrations got through to thousands of workers for whom a short warm-up session has become a daily routine.

The wide-scale prevention measures are sure to significantly ease the burden of health costs and the number of work-related injuries nation-wide. Getting fit at work!

14th World Gymnaestrada
Lausanne (SUI), July 10-16, 2011

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, March 27, 2009: From July 10 – 16, 2011, Lausanne will be hosting the largest gymnastic sporting event in the world over seven full days. Over 23,000 participants of all ages and from every walk of life will meet together to share their talent and passion for Gymnastics for All, an official discipline of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

In preparation for their arrival, a preliminary informational meeting for all FIG affiliated federations is being held from March 27 – 29. 39 nations from 5 continents, representing in excess of 20,000 gymnasts, responded to the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee’s invitation. A second meeting is set for the summer of 2010.The Organising Committee is excited about getting to know not only the more familiar federations, but also those that are newer to the sport; federations such as Poland, which last participated in 1969, and Iraq, a country that has never before participated in a World Gymnaestrada.

A detailed presentation of the overall concept of the 2011 World Gymnaestrada will be given over a three day period; all related technical and logistical aspects will be explored, and delegates will have a chance to visit a variety of venues.

At today’s press conference held at the Malley Sport Centre in Prilly (SUI), Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist (SWE), FIG Gymnastics for All Committee President, gave a brief overview on the history of the World Gymnaestrada, which was first staged in 1953 in Rotterdam (NED) and every 4 years since. Ms Sikkens Ahlquist described the world’s largest gymnastics event as a cultural festival that promotes fun, fitness and learning experiences; she also believes that words are not enough to convey the energy demonstrated through this mega event. The President underlined the Organising Committee’s excellent cooperation and the fantastic work they have been doing so far. “Coping with such a great number of participants in terms of logistics, transport and accommodation is a big challenge for any Organising Committee. But preparations are running smoothly and I am very confident that Lausanne will host a fantastic World Gymnaestrada in 2011,”  Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist said.

Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist (SWE) and François-Daniel Golay (SUI)

François-Daniel Golay, President of the 2011 WG Organising Committee, reported on a number of Committee activities promoting the 14th World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne. Workshops are being organised in areas with low representation in the festival, and the Committee will be present at other important Gymnastics for All events such as the Turnfest in Frankfurt / Main (GER) and the Gym for Life Challenge in Dornbirn (AUT) this July.

Finally, Nicolas Imhof, Vice-President of the 2011 WG Organising Committee and representative of the Canton of Vaud, and Marc Vuilleumier, President of the World Gymnaestrada Lausanne 2011 Association and representative of the City of Lausanne, emphasised the great importance of this event for both the city and the region as a whole.
The World Gymnaestrada will not only stimulate the region economically, it sends a positive message of sportsmanship to all corners of the world.

Something to look forward to!

2011 World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, March 13, 2009: The Organising Committee for the 14th World Gymnaestrada has moved in! On March 5th, President François-Daniel Golay and his colleagues officially inaugurated the offices they’ll be using until July of 2011, when the event winds to a close.

The move warranted a small official ceremony, to which were invited City Council member Marc Vuilleumier for sports, Head of Sports for the City of Lausanne Patrice Iseli and the organisation’s Secretary General Patrice Schaub. Gymnastics For All Committee President Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist (SWE), head of the Gymnaestrada, attended on behalf of the FIG, alongside Sport Manager Alexandre Cola, responsible for the discipline within the FIG Staff in Lausanne.

President Golay would agree that the 2011 edition of this mega event will remain dear to the hearts of Lausanne residents for years to come. Some 25,000 gymnasts are expected here in Lausanne where they will perform at the Pontaise stadium, the Beaulieu Palace and the Malley Sport Centre, filling the streets of the Olympic capital for an entire week. The World Gymnaestrada is one of the largest sporting events in the world.

From March 27 – 29, the Organising Committee will receive delegates from 40 countries for a preliminary informational meeting and to visit the venues for the 2011 World Gymnaestrada.
More to come!