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FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
FIG FLASH Nr 97 May 2010
FIG TOP NEWS
Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA)
© FIG
NEWS FROM THE FIG HEAD OFFICE
MERLO Gianni (ITA)
© FIG
10th FIG Council
Chiba (JPN), May 12 - 13, 2010
MOVING FORWARD AT ALL COST
Attendees of the 10th FIG Council recently convened in Tokyo / Chiba (JPN) to
discuss in depth a number of sensitive issues that are expected to have a longterm
effect on several sectors of the Federation. As debates raged, attention
turned to the Olympic year and the 2012 elections. At mid-cycle, the 44 Council
members took a moment to map out the months and years to come for its
gymnasts.
Read more … and consult the FIG Official News concerning the Council and the
EC
AIPS Congress
Antalya (TUR), April 28 – May 3, 2010
FIG at the forefront
The 73rd General Assembly of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS)
took place in Antalya (TUR) where 380 delegates representing 94 countries
participated in response to an invitation from outgoing President Gianni Merlo
(ITA). IOC Member and Media Commission President Kevan Gosper and Chief
of Media Operations for the Olympic Games Antony Edgar spoke on the current
status and future development of journalism. FIG Media Operations Officer
Philippe Silacci presented the FIG and its various sectors.
Read more …
Nations united for peace
FIG contributes
FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler recently received United Nations
Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr Wilfried Lemke (GER),
to the FIG Head Office. The courtesy visit opened a dialogue on action currently
being taken by both parties to promote and develop sport in regions of armed
conflict.
Read more …
FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler and Wilfried Lemke (GER) © FIG

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
CHEN Hongen - YANG Hengyi
(CHN)
© FIG
OLYMPIC GAMES
© LOCOG
Development of Acrobatic Gymnastics
Visit to China
Upon an invitation by the Chinese Gymnastics Association, Ms Tonya Case,
President of the FIG Acrobatics Gymnastics Technical Committee, paid a
friendly visit to China from April 17 – 22, 2010. Her primary purpose was to
secure China’s full support in promoting ACRO development in Asia and
throughout the world. During her stay, she attended training sessions at
Nanjing’s Institute of Physical Education and the Shanghai Physical Education
Technology Institute, accompanied by Mr Li Yanling, Vice-President of the FIG
ACRO TC, and Mr Tang Jinshan, Deputy Director of the Office for Trampoline
and Acrobatics Gymnastics of the General Administration of Sport in China.
Read more …
London 2012 - agreement reached
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), the Badminton World
Federation (BWF) and the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) have
agreed that Wembley Arena in North London will be the location of the Olympic
sports of Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2012. Further detailed plans
for the venue will now be discussed with all stakeholders.
FIG President, Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA), said:“I am happy that a good solution
could be found in the interest of our athletes and wish to thank LOCOG for their
comprehension.”
Read more …
Draw held for premiere event
While the countdown is on for the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the
qualification phase for the FIG’s Olympic disciplines is now closed. The official
drawing of lots for Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics competitions
took place parallel to the FIG Council meeting in Chiba (JPN) on May 13, 2010.
Read more … and find draw result charts for MAG / WAG / RG / TRA
© SYOGOC
Meet the London 2012 mascots
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic
Games (LOCOG) unveiled its Olympic Mascot, Wenlock and Paralympic
Mascot, Mandeville. Wenlock and Mandeville were created from the last drops
of steel left over from the construction of the final support girder for the Olympic
Stadium.
Read more …
© LOCOG
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FIG EVENTS
NABIEVA Tatiana (RUS)
© Russian Gymnastics
Federation
Group BLR
© FIG
ART: 42nd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, Rotterdam (NED)
The 42nd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships set for Rotterdam
(NED) this year are drawing a great response from national gymnastics
federations around the world. By the time provisional registration closed, May
19, a record number of gymnasts had entered the championships. A total of 729
gymnasts (399 men and 330 women) from 72 different nations are expected to
make their way to Rotterdam in October.
Read more …
TSURUMI Koko (JPN) © FIG
ART: FIG World Cup A, 2010 World Stars, Moscow (RUS), May 14 – 15,
2010
An impressive international field competed in Moscow (RUS) for a total of
50,000 CHF in prize money and coveted World Ranking points at the 2010
World Stars, a FIG World Cup competition held May 14-15.
Host Russia was most successful, capturing a total of ten medals. Record title
holder in Moscow, Anton Golotsutskov (RUS), added a Gold on Vault and a
Silver on Floor to his list of achievements, Aleksandr Balandin (RUS) prevailed
on Rings edging out team-mate Konstantin Pluzhnikov, and compatriot Andrey
Perevoznikov grabbed a Bronze on Pommel Horse.
Preview Review
ART: FIG World Cup B, 43rd Salamun Memorial, Maribor (SLO), May 7 – 9,
2010
With the European Championships in Birmingham (GBR) a thing of the not-sodistant
past, Artistic gymnasts met for the sixth edition of the 43rd Salamun
Memorial, a FIG World Cup B, on May 7 – 9, 2010. Debuted under the FIG label
in 2005, the tournament was held in Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city.
To the cheers of local fans in Maribor, Slovenian Artistic gymnasts won four
titles at this event.
Preview Review
BERTONCELJ Saso (SLO) © MinkusImages
RG: FIG World Cup A, BelSwissBank 2010, Minsk (BLR), May 21 – 23, 2010
The city of Minsk (BLR) played host to the Rhythmic elite on their way to the
30th World Championships in Moscow (RUS) as the 2010 FIG World Cup circuit
slowly draws to a close.
The BelSwissBank 2010, which marks the seventh tournament in a series of
eight FIG World Cup events, was organised jointly by the Belarus Gymnastics
Association and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus.
Just like in 2009, Russia’s star Evgenia Kanaeva won all four titles in Individuals,
while host Belarus carried the day in Groups this time around.
Preview Review
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MITEVA Silviya (BUL)
© FIG
BIANCHI Giulia (ITA)
© FIG
SHCHERBACK Mykola -
POPOV Sergii (UKR)
© MinkusImages
RG: World Cup A, Souvenir Véronique de Kristoffy, Corbeil-Essonnes
(FRA), May 7 – 9, 2010
The first FIG World Cup event to follow the European Championships in Bremen
(GER) and the sixth in a series of eight competitions in 2010, Corbeil-Essonnes
(FRA) hosted the planet’s Rhythmic at the Véronique de Kristoffy Memorial.
Debuted as early as 1973, the 36th edition of this event took place at the Palais
des Sports in Corbeil-Essonnes, in the southern suburbs of Paris, where Daria
Kondakova of Russia won four titles and Silviya Miteva of Bulgaria garnered five
medals.
Preview Review
AER: FIG World Series B, Conversano (ITA), May 22 – 23, 2010
Italy is back on the FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Series scene, having staged
the fourth tournament of the 2010 circuit in Conversano on May 22 – 23. The
international Aerobic elite gathered one last time before the season’s highlight:
the 11th World Championships in Rodez (FRA), June 18 – 20.
Gymnasts from the host country impressed fans at the Pala San Giacomo Arena
with fantastic results deserving of a whopping five medals, four of which were
Gold! Australia’s Kieran Gorman single-handedly kept the Italians from striking a
full house.
Preview Review
AER: FIG World Series B, Ponta Delgada (POR), April 30 – May 2, 2010
Spanish Aerobic gymnasts prevailed at the third FIG World Series event of the
season held in Ponta Delgada, Azores (POR). As the most successful nation of
the tournament, they took Gold and Bronze in Men’s Individual, Gold in
Women’s Individual and Mixed Pairs, and a Silver in Trios.
Preview Review
PAREJO Ivan (ESP)
© FIG
ACRO: 6th World Age Group Competitions and 22nd World
Championships, Wroclaw (POL)
With less than two months to go to the 6th World Age Group Competitions and
the 22nd Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Wroclaw (POL),
gymnasts are getting ready for this exciting highlight of the Acro season.
With the numbers in, an official drawing of lots was conducted at the FIG
Council meeting in Chiba (JPN) on May 13, 2010 by Technical Committee
President Tonya Case (USA) and in the presence of FIG Secretary General
André Gueisbuhler.
Read more … and check the result charts of the draw:
WAGC AG 11 – 16 / AG 12 – 19 ; World Championships
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INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTIC EVENTS
Group Thailand
© FIG
TWEDDLE Elizabeth (GBR)
© MinkusImages
GFA: Hong Kong Gymnastics for All Festival and the Asian Gymnaestrada
1,100 gymnasts participated in the Gymnastics for All Festival organised by the
Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, May 22 – 23, 2010.
Held every May, the national event was also the Asian Gymnaestrada this year;
so all Asian Gymnastics Federations were invited to participate with Groups.
Gymnasts hailing from Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Uzbekistan, China
and Mongolia came to Hong Kong, a total of 300 participants from overseas.
800 gymnasts from Hong Kong also participated.
Read more …
ART – RG - TRA: 2010 Pacific Rim Championships, Melbourne (AUS)
The 2010 Pacific Rim Championships were held from April 29 – May 2 in
Melbourne (AUS). The biannual event that showcases gymnasts from countries
lining the pacific coast featured competitions of an exceptional level in Artistic,
Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics.
Gymnastics Australia provides full coverage of the events, including daily
reports, photos and results.
Read more …
NEWS FROM FIG MEMBER FEDERATIONS
Catherine Clark (AUS)
© Gymnastics Australia
BROSS Rebecca (USA) © Gymnastics Australia
ART: 29th European Championships in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics,
Birmingham (GBR)
The 2010 European Championships in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics that took
place from April 28 – May 2 in Birmingham (GBR) concluded with the Juniors
and Seniors Apparatus Finals.
A total of 132 Senior gymnasts from 33 countries participated, and 29 nations
sent 117 Juniors to compete in the event. With six medals in the Seniors events
(2 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze) and ten in Juniors (6G, 3S, 1B) Russia topped both
medal tables over Great Britain (2G, 1S) and Romania (1G, 3B) in Seniors, as
well as Romania (1G, 2S, 2B) and Italy (2B) in Juniors.
Read more … and download complete results from the UEG!
AUS: Gymnastics Australia appoints new CEO
The Board of Gymnastics Australia is delighted to announce that Ms Catherine
Clark has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer, and will lead the
sport on its journey to the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2012 London
Olympics.
Clark joins Gymnastics Australia at a time when the sport is flourishing in
Australia. Last year Australia won two World Cup gold medals and secured its
best ever medal haul at a world championships, winning two silver and a bronze.
Read more …
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FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
WALTERS Damien (GBR)
© MinkusImages
BOL: Trampoline Gymnastics introductory course, Cochabamba (BOL),
April 26 – 30, 2010
The Bolivian Gymnastics Federation organised an introductory course on
Trampoline Gymnastics for coaches, April 26 – 30, 2010, in Cochabamba, the
country’s third largest city located in central Bolivia. The so called “Garden City”
or “City of Eternal Spring” provided a comfortable climate and an excellent
culinary experience; a perfect setting for this event. The federation’s Secretary
General, Mr Fabricio Fernandez, personally handled organisation and logistics
to ensure that the course would be a success. Read more … © FIG
CAN: Kyle Shewfelt is headed to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame!
A little more than two years after his last competition at the 2008 Beijing
Olympics, Kyle Shewfelt and a star-studded group of five other athletes and two
builders will be formally inducted to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame at a
ceremony on November 10th in Calgary.
Read more …
SHEWFELT Kyle (CAN) © Gymnastics Canada
GBR: Damien Walters wins The 2010 Taurus World Stunt Award
The 2003 World Team Champion; 2003 and 2006 European Team Champion
and former multiple British Champion in Tumbling, Damien Walters who, after
his retirement has started a new career as a stunt-man, was announced last
week as the winner of the 2010 Taurus World Stunt Awards for the best fight for
his performance in the film “Ninja Assassin”. Taurus World Stunt Awards are for
the stunt-world what the Oscars are for the film stars.
Read more …
JPN: Japan's rhythmic love story
The City of Chiba, a longstanding hub of national Rhythmic Gymnastics, is
traditionally home to the JUSCO RG Club.
Fostering up and coming talent, JUSCO is one of the world’s most prestigious
clubs, placing high ranking gymnasts at international FIG Calendar competitions
on a regular basis.
Read more …
© FIG
FIN: 15th World Gymnaestrada awarded to Helsinki
The FIG had received four bids for the organisation of the 15th World
Gymnaestrada in 2015, three of which were of Nordic origin. When it came time
to vote at the FIG Council meeting in Chiba (JPN), Helsinki (FIN) carried the
day, supported politically by the country’s Minister of Sport and Culture Stefan
Wallin, as well as by the City of Helsinki itself, and a federation that is not only
fully on-board but shows incredible enthusiasm.
The World Gymnaestrada is the biggest event on the FIG Calendar; uniting
cultures and a pedagogical message under a festive banner, it is a celebration
of gymnastics shared by 20,000 gymnasts quadrennially. © LOC
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FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
© SAGF
© USA Gymnastics
FIG PARTNERS
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS NEWS
© IOC
RSA: SAGF and City officials visit Japan
A joint delegation team consisting of SAGF President, Jerry Masia, Director of
Sport, Recreation & Amenities, Gert Bam and Manager of General Participation,
Anne Cameron Smith travelled to Chiba, Japan, where they officially presented
the bid for the 2nd Gym For Life Challenge for 2013 at the FIG Council Meeting
being held there.
Read more …
USA: Behind the team
“USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team presented by AT&T” shows fans what it’s
like for those national team members who compete as both collegiate gymnasts
and members of the U.S. National Team. The newest episode of “Behind the
Team” is now available online only in the AT&T Fan Zone at
http://fanzone.att.net/teamusa/sport/gymnastics
Cirque du Soleil: Citizenship review 2009
In this fifth year of publication, Cirque du Soleil is proud to present its
accomplishments for 2009 as well as the actions it has taken as a committed
citizen. There are three main components to this citizenship review: community
relations, the environment and relations with partners and suppliers.
© Cirque du Soleil
Development through Sport: First UN-IOC Forum shows way forward
The first joint UN – IOC Forum that took place in Lausanne on 21 and 22 May
and was entitled “The Importance of Partnership” closed with 19
recommendations on how to maximize the impact of various activities in the field
of development through sport.
Read more … © IOC / Richard Juilliart
Postgraduate Research Grant Programme 2011
The IOC Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) has launched the 2011 Postgraduate
Research Grant Programme intended for young researchers engaged in
scholarly research on the Olympic Movement, its history and ideals, and the
impact of the Olympic Games on the various aspects of contemporary society
and culture.
Read more …
WADA endorses haematological laboratories
The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Executive Committee endorsed on
May 8 the approval of non-WADA accredited laboratories (e.g. forensic
laboratories, clinical laboratories) for blood analysis to support the Athlete
Biological Passport Programme. Read more … © WADA
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Date Event title Venue Participants
3 - 7 June 2010 Innsbruck RG Grand Prix INNSBRUCK (AUT) Senior
5 June 2010 XXXV Memorial Joaquim Blume BARCELONA (ESP) Senior
5 - 6 June 2010 23rd Gym Festival Trnava 2009 TRNAVA (SVK) Senior and Junior
9 - 13 June 2010 FIG International Judges Course
ACRO
11 - 12 June 2010 FIG Trampoline World Cup cat. A
46th Nissen Cup
PRAGUE (CZE) Senior
DAVOS (SUI) Senior
12 - 19 June 2010 Academy Level 1 for Trampoline BARQUISIMETO
(VEN)
12 - 13 June 2010 XI Copa Olimpia 2010 MONTEVIDEO
(URU)
Senior and Junior
12 - 13 June 2010 Baltic Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup RUMIA (POL) Senior and Junior
13 - 18 June 2010 International Tournament "Irtyshskiye
Zory"
15 - 17 June 2010 4th Aerobic Gymnastics International
Age Group Competition
15 - 21 June 2010 International Tournament "Olympic
Hopes"
17 - 20 June 2010 AmsterdaMMasters RG Intl.
Tournament
18 - 20 June 2010 11th FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World
Championships
PAVLODAR (KAZ) Senior, Junior and
Age Group
RODEZ (FRA) Age Group
MOSCOW (RUS) Junior
AMSTERDAM (NED) Senior and Junior
RODEZ (FRA) Senior
18 - 20 June 2010 FIG Artistic World Cup Cat. A PORTO (POR) Senior
19 June 2010 27th RG International Tournament
“Trofeo Cariprato”
PRATO (ITA) Senior and Junior
20 - 27 June 2010 Academy Level 2 for Rhythmic WALVIS BAY (NAM)
22 - 26 June 2010 FIG International Judges Course
WAG
SANTO DOMINGO
(DOM)
Senior
23 - 25 June 2010 GFA meeting 2010 SKYPE Senior
25 June - 1 July 2010 FIG Presidential Commission + EC
Meetings
ST-PETERSBURG
(RUS)
26 - 27 June 2010 Chicago Cup CHICAGO (USA) Senior and Junior
For more news and information on international Gymnastics please visit http://www.fig-gymnastics.com.
FIG FLASH Nr 97 – May 2010 8

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
FIG MEDIA CONTACT
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FIG FLASH Nr 97 – May 2010 9