The Council held a vote to elect the members of the Disciplinary Commission. The members, in order of the number of votes received, are: Paul Engelmann (SUI); Marc Schoenmakers (BEL); Rached Gharbi (TUN); Mehman Aliyev (AZE); Snezana Lakicevic (SRB); Youssef Altabbaa (SYR).

Moreover, the Council duly recognised the lawyers recently appointed by the Executive Committee, namely: Andreas Zagklis (GRE), Michelle Duncan (NZL), Karin Meseck (SUI), Daniele Moro (SUI), Matthias Scherer (SUI) and Bernhard Welten (SUI).

The proposed modifications and updates to the FIG Technical Regulations were accepted without qualification.

The Council approved the six principles which must be applied to the reworking of the competition calendar and the new criteria for qualification for the Olympic Games.  These are as follows:

• To keep the team competitions;
• To include the best individual athletes in competition II;
• To ensure the participation of the best specialists;
• To guarantee the participation of all of the Continental Unions;
• To take into account World Cup rankings;
• To respect the principle of universality.

The 2012 accounts and the revised budget for 2013 were approved.

The competition fees are to be maintained at their current levels.

The national federations of Bahrain (BRN), Cape Verde (CPV), Honduras (HON), Macedonia (MKD), Nepal (NEP) and Turkmenistan (TKM) have been suspended due to their repeated failure to meet their financial obligations. To recap, the federation of Botswana (BOT) was also suspended in 2012.

Further to the proposal by the Statutes Commission and the Executive Committee, the Council accepted the provisional admission to the FIG of the national federations of Afghanistan (AFG) and the Cayman Islands (CAY).

The 37th edition of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in 2019 were awarded to Azerbaijan (AZE) and will take place in the city of Baku.

The Council approved the proposal of the Executive Committee with regard to the deadline for the registration of candidates to host competitions, which shall henceforth be four years for world championships and five years for the World Gymnaestrada.

The Council approved the proposal of the Executive Committee with regard to the deadline for the registration of candidates to host competitions, which shall henceforth be four years for world championships and five years for the World Gymnaestrada.

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New elected members

Liverpool (GBR) / FIG Council Office, May 09, 2013: The six members of the new FIG Disciplinary Commission have been elected. The vote designated Mr Paul Engelmann (SUI), Mr Marc Schoenmaekers (BEL), Mr Rached Gharbi (TUN), Mr Mehman Aliyev (AZE), Ms Snezana Lakicevic Stojacic (SRB) and Mr Mohamad Youssef Altabaa (SYR). This election took place on May 9 -10, in Liverpool (GBR), at the occasion of the 13th FIG Council.

In the future and for each open case submitted, the FIG will designate a panel of 3 persons, one member appointed from among the 6 elected above and 2 lawyers from the 6 newly designated by the Executive Committee: Atty. Andreas Zagklis (GRE), Michelle Duncan (NZL), Karin Meseck (SUI), Daniele Moro (SUI), Matthias Scherer (SUI) and Bernhard Welten (SUI).

These elections come into force with immediate effect.

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Lausanne (SUI) & Liverpool (GBR), May 08, 2013. AGU/phs

EC Official News

•    The following nationality changes were approved: Aliaksandra Platonova (RG), from RUS to AZE; Anna Svirina (RG) from RUS to ARM; Naoya Tsukahara (MAG) from JPN to AUS; Ruslan Aghamirov (TRA) from RUS to AZE; Katrine Field-Hagelund (RG), from NOR to NZL.

•    The requests for FIG affiliation from the federations of Afghanistan (AFG) and the Cayman Islands (CAY) were approved. A final decision on whether to affiliate them will be taken by the FIG Council.

•    Ali Zaater (ALG), who was elected as head of the African Gymnastics Union (UAG) on 25 April 2013, will henceforth take up the place previously occupied by his predecessor Mohamed Yamani (ALG) on the FIG Executive Council. Additionally, the UAG has announced the creation of a new Gymnastics for All Committee.

•    The proposal to transform World of Gymnastics magazine into a digital publication was approved. However, 1,000 copies of it will continue to be published in the current format.

•    The Executive Committee authorised the FIG Presidential Commission to make the necessary provisions with regards to the publication of the findings of the FIG Disciplinary Commission concerning the Rhythmic Gymnastics judges’ courses in Bucharest (ROU), Moscow (RUS) and Alicante (ESP).

•    The members welcomed the signing of the major partnership agreement between the European Gymnastics Union (UEG) and Kapital Bank of Azerbaijan.

•    The Executive Committee will propose that the Council changes the deadline for the registration of candidates for the organisation of the World Championships and the World Gymnaestrada: for the World Championships, 4 years prior the event, for the World Gymnaestrada, 5 years.

•    The modifications to the World Cup Regulations, as well as the regulations for the Judges’ Evaluation Programme (JEP) and its application were accepted.

 
André F. GUEISBUHLER
Secretary General

NB
The next meeting of the FIG Presidential Commission and Executive Committee will be held in Lausanne (SUI) / FIG Office, November 18 to 23, 2013.

 

A time for reflection and for looking forward

Algiers (ALG) / UAG Head Office, April 25, 2013: The day after the election of the new President of the Union of African Gymnastics (UAG), Ali Zaater (ALG), his predecessor, Mohamed Yamani (ALG), delivered an assessment of his 23 years at the helm of the UAG.

Yamani was one of the signatories of the declaration that gave birth to the Union in Algiers back in October 1990, at the time of the inaugural African Gymnastics Championships. Prior to the official formation of the Union there had been numerous discussions and soundings on the topic, most notably in Tunis in 1988, aided by the enthusiastic support of Prof. Bruno Grandi, who was then FIG Vice-President.

In November 2011, an extraordinary general assembly took place in Gand (BEL), which was at the time hosting the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. The assembly ratified the UAG’s statutory and regulatory documents, which were drafted to conform with the recent organisational and structural changes at the FIG.

Since 2005, the presidents of each of the continental unions of the FIG have held a seat on the FIG Executive Committee. This has had significant benefits in terms of information flow and dissemination of the decisions taken by the FIG, and has also improved coordination, in particular with regard to the scheduling of the international event calendar.

The UAG and the South Africa Gymnastics Federation will welcome the 2nd World Gym For Life Challenge, in July 2013.

As new UAG President, Ali Zaater has both the profile and experience to carry out his mandate with calm authority. A former gymnast, who subsequently served as an international judge, President of the Algerian Gymnastics Federation and Vice-President of the Algerian NOC, which he continues to serve as Chief of Staff, he will now be looking to bring his experience and knowledge to bear for the benefit of the entire African continent.

The membership of the UAG executive body for the period 2013-2016 is as follows:

The presidents of the UAG’s technical committees for the same period are as follows:

In other news, South Africa has been chosen to host the 2014 African Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

New President for the Union

Algiers (ALG) / Lausanne (SUI) / FIG Office, April 17, 2013: The African Gymnastics Union (UAG) has elected a new President, Ali Zaater (ALG). He succeeds Algerian Mohamed Yamani, who after twenty years in office has stepped down. The new president swept the elections in a large majority win over Faycel Ben Ali Zemni of Tunisia, after Jerry Masia withdrew his candidacy at the last minute.

The former and the new UAG President. From the left: Mohamed Yamani and Ali Zaater.

At the close of the elections, Ali Zaater said he was “very pleased and proud to succeed Yamani, a man who stands as a model for each of us to follow, and whose qualities it will be difficult to match. These past months have been extremely tense, but things have turned out well. I was surrounded by competent people as well as a very crucial spirit of solidarity. Every entity involved extended solidarity and support, the Algerian Gymnastics Federation, the Algerian Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sport: it was a national endeavour.”

For twenty years, Ali Zaater held the offices of UAG Secretary General and Chief of the Cabinet with the Algerian NOC. His experience and natural approach to people underpinned his ability to manage twenty-four Union member national federations. Some of the more weighty issues facing the new president include Olympic qualification for African gymnasts, regional support and the training of technicians.

The new UAG panel. From the left: Norbet Bueche (FIG), Ali Zaater (UAG), Mohamed Yamani (ALG), Albertine Goncalvez (SEN), Jerry Masia (RSA).

For this reason, Ali Zaater says he will reinforce contact with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), with whom he shares close ties, for their participation at numerous assemblies and world championship events.

FIG Hon. Vice-President and former Secretary General, Mr Norbert Bueche, representing FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi in Algiers, thanked the outgoing president for his consistent work, and extended his support and wishes for success to Ali Zaater in his new role.

The new UAG President will officiate for the first time in his term at the 13th FIG Council in Liverpool (GBR) in May.
 

+++
Japan’s Highest Honour

Lausanne (SUI) / Tokyo (JPN), April 11, 2013: On April 8, 2013, the Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU) in Tokyo granted the title of Dr Honoris Causa to Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA), President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The distinction pays tribute to the professor’s career and stellar work inside international sport over more than fifty years.

A national-level gymnast as a teenager, coach and selector for Italy’s Men’s team, President of his federation, Vice-President of the Italian NOC, recipient of the Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit distinction, international judge and FIG President since 1996, Bruno Grandi has devoted his entire life to gymnast education and preservation, the reform and development of national and international structures and the fight for sport justice. He is unanimously applauded by his colleagues for his experience, integrity and enthusiasm.

The ceremony was held at Tokyo’s Nittaidai University in the presence of highly respected Japanese sport and scholarly authorities, notably Masato Mizuno, Noriyuki Ichihara, ChiharuIgaya, Vice-President, Executive Director and Honorary Member of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) respectively; as well as  Hidenori Futagi, President de la Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA), and Ryosho Tanigama, Shigeaki Abe and Daizo Hakamada, President and Vice-Presidents of Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU) respectively.

In his speech, Prof. Grandi expressed a commitment to taking up the challenge faced by gymnastics, particularly in terms of ethics and the development of the discipline’s artistic content. “My gratitude to Japan’s sport and scholarly authorities; I applaud the immense gymnastic culture and tradition that your country continues to foster today. This title honours the international gymnastics community to which I have devoted my entire career, and which I continue to serve. I am proud of how far we’ve come, and look forward to the objectives and mission I have embraced and with which the 130 FIG affiliated federations have entrusted me through a new mandate at the head of the FIG,” said the President at the close of the ceremony.
+++

Decisive times

Algiers (ALG) / UAG Office; April 9, 2013: With sixteen nations signed up and confirmed – making all federations traditionally registered with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and its African Gymnastics Union (UAG) accounted for – the UAG Elective General Assembly will get off to an auspicious start on April 13 – 14 in Algiers.

Participants will examine the content and implementation of the quadrennial 2013 – 2016 programme, and study every area of UAG activity with two major objectives in mind: African selection for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) and a development programme to meet existing expectations.

The assembly will also be a time to re-elect leaders, a new phase that promises to be full of unforeseen developments. Outgoing President and UAG founder, Mohamed Yamani, formally steps down from his mandate after twenty-three years of service, making room for one of the three running candidates: Mr Fayçal Zemni – President of the Gymnastics Federation of Tunisia, Mr Ali Zaater, candidate of the Algerian Federation, and Mr Jerry Masia – President of the South African Gymnastics Federation. The election is wide-open.

A large number of candidates have registered for the election of three Vice-Presidents, representing each of the geographical regions. The same is noted for seats on the Executive Board and various Committees.

The assembly will have the honour of the presence of FIG President, Prof. Bruno Grandi, as well as Honorary Vice-President and former Secretary General, Norbert Bueche.

A page is turning in the history of the Union, one which dates back to 1990.

FIG Gymnastics for All, Technical Committees and Athletes' Commission Meetings
Lausanne (SUI), February 18 – 21, 2013

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, March 6, 2013: Following the official Transfer of Powers ceremony held at the Hotel Mövenpick in Lausanne (SUI) on February 17, 2013, the newly formed FIG Gymnastics for All Committee, the Technical Committees for all FIG disciplines as well as the Athletes' Commission took up their work for the 2013 - 2016 Olympic Cycle. Meetings took place from February 17 – 21 in the Olympic Capital and it was a good opportunity for members from the various committees to get to know one another better.

Gymnastics for All

Over the course of three days, a key discussion within the FIG Gymnastics for All Committee hinged on its business plan for 2013-2016. Under the direction of committee president Margaret Sikkens-Ahlquist (SWE), members exchanged ideas on their vision, mission, goals and actions to be summarised in a ground-breaking document designed to guide the committee through the cycle. The committee will focus mainly on development, education and events at the international, continental and national level.

Regarding the 2nd World Gym for Life Challenge on July 10 – 14 in Cape Town (RSA), the committee is excited to announce the registration of 1,200 participants as well as the identification of event evaluators and feedback consultants. Members took the opportunity of this kick-off meeting to communicate with representatives of the 3rd World Gym for Life Challenge that is scheduled to take place in 2017 in Vestfold (NOR).

As for the Gymnastics for All flagship event, the World Gymnaestrada, the first informational meeting for the 2015 event will be held in the host Helsinki (FIN) on September 6 – 8, 2013; invitations are in progress.

Exciting times ahead for the GFA Committee with the approach of the Foundation and Join the Gymnaestrada courses planned for 2013 and 2014.

Men’s Artistic Gymnastics

The Men’s Technical Committee meeting began with a farewell to past long-time members Adrian Stoica (president) of Romania, Sawao Kato of Japan, and Istvan Karacsony of Hungary. New president Steve Butcher (USA), with four new members present, reviewed how the committee will operate during the cycle and their prevailing philosophy, outlining service to the Men's Artistic Gymnastics community and federations.

The group used this time to select the D-jury judges for the 2013 World Championships, finalise version 2 of the Code of Points to be available in the next 30 days, review the Intercontinental and International Judges' Courses and revise parts of the presentation materials; they also wrote a proposal for the upgrade of a judge's category during the cycle. The committee has announced its commitment to producing new materials designed to better educate and prepare judges for competitions.

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics

In a meeting with the Women’s Technical Committee, FIG President Bruno Grandi (ITA) highlighted the common philosophy that must continue to guide the development of the Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points. Grandi stressed that the Tables of Difficulty should reflect work based on study and scientific value in the aim of ensuring consistency while avoiding constant change. The President reminded members of their duty to guarantee sports justice, which is the philosophy he urges TC members to follow, before suggesting that the judges’ evaluation system be reviewed. Grandi closed by expounding on the development of a new Olympic Qualification system for the next cycle and a common initiative to make FIG events more attractive.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Under the new presidency of Nataliya Kuzmina (RUS), the Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee discussed technical responsibilities for the current year, including the 32nd World Championships in Kiev (UKR) and the new Code of Points.

Time was given to exploring areas of adjustment and improvement related to Olympic qualification, the role of the Superior Jury, Intercontinental Judges’ Courses and coach education through the Academies based on the FIG Executive Committee meeting and discussions with FIG President Bruno Grandi (ITA), first Vice-President Slava Corn (CAN), and General Secretary André Gueisbuhler.

The committee was pleased to review the first World Cup of 2013 as well as videos of apparatus elements submitted by two national federations that were confirmed as good examples of Mastery, a new component of Difficulty. Both are good indicators that the gymnasts and coaches are working hard, generating innovative apparatus ideas with the new Code of Points.

Trampoline Gymnastics

Two of the main topics on the Trampoline Technical Committee’s agenda were a look back over the judges’ courses held thus far and the Olympic Games qualification process.

Committee president Horst Kunze (GER) and his colleagues pointed out ambiguity and discrepancies in the General Judges Rules, equally noticed by other TC presidents. A proposal outlining slight adjustments to these rules will be forwarded to the Competition Commission and Executive Committee for the benefit of the national federations.

Following the idea of a new qualification system for the Olympic Games, the committee discussed and finalised a first working proposal for the Competition Commission that includes the World Cups as part of the qualification process.

Aerobic Gymnastics

On the Aerobic Technical Committee’s programme for this working day was the development of the discipline on all five continents, not only with regard to the number of federations but also the quality of athletic performances.

What collective and individual strategy should be put in place to reach a 100-federation objective?

What plans and activities should be undertaken for the four years to come?

A moment was given to examining both past and future Intercontinental Courses and International Judges Courses, updating of the Code of Points, evaluating new elements submitted by the federations, the Age Group programme and to the elucidation of Aerobic Dance and Aerobic Step.

The final topics to be addressed involved preparation for this year’s competitions:

• The four FIG World Cups in France, Japan, Portugal and Bulgaria
• The 9th World Games in Cali, Colombia
• The Gymnasiade, a school multi-sport event where Aerobic takes its place for the first time alongside Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics in Brasilia (BRA), November 27 – December 4, 2013, and for which provisional registration has just been completed for national educational entities.

This first meeting was the backdrop for an official welcome to the new athletes’ representative, Aldrin Rodriguez (MEX), elected by his peers at the last World Championships in Sofia (BUL) in June 2012. Aldrin succeeds Ana Macanita (POR) who, over the past two cycles, did an excellent job, carefully maintaining TC-athlete communication. The baton has been passed: “Thank you, Ana, for your sterling collaboration of the past few years; and welcome, Aldrin, to this passionate undertaking and to the path we now follow side by side.”

The framework has been set for Aerobic to develop, and it’s up to the sport’s many actors, federations, coaches, judges and gymnasts to get that done.

Acrobatic Gymnastics

The main topics on the agenda of the Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Committee led by new TC President Rosy Taeymans (BEL) included discussions and decisions on the protocol relating to the running of TC meetings, professionalism and committee procedures. Members were given an opportunity to outline their strengths and background in the sport and to propose the areas in which they felt they had an interest and expertise. Confirmation of assignments will be confirmed at the next meeting.

The committee agreed to support FIG President Bruno Grandi’s wish to incorporate an acrobatics show programme in conjunction with World Championships of other FIG disciplines in cooperation with Cirque du Soleil.

Following the idea of standardisation within FIG Gymnastics disciplines, the Acrobatic committee will develop a technical deduction table for perfect execution. Moreover, one of the TC’s goals is to simplify the rules and Tables of Difficulty significantly, while it will be receptive to the Acro community’s position regarding drastic changes.

Finally, two former TC members will undertake an approved project at the forthcoming World Cup events to assess the impact of the new Code of Points and the Tables of Difficulty.

Athletes' Commission

The Athletes’ Commission, presided by Jani Tanskanen (FIN), warmly welcomed their newest member Aldrin Rodriguez (MEX) for Aerobic Gymnastics, who made a very promising debut at his first meeting.

During their meeting, the commission concentrated on how they can support gymnasts during their careers as well as throughout the post-career transition.

Furthermore, members discussed ways to tackle the challenge of finding new representatives for certain disciplines, currently for Trampoline and Acrobatics. Former commission member Dmitri Poliaroush (BLR), who was elected to the Trampoline Technical Committee, and Germany’s Sabrina Hegele, who stepped down from the commission after Frank Boehm of the same national federation was elected to the Acrobatic Technical Committee, will need to be replaced. The Athletes’ Commission emphasised that the most important quality for new candidates should be their commitment to do the job.

Commission members reviewed their working methods with the focus on greater efficiency, before discussing several decisions taken by the FIG Executive Committee. To some of these topics a response or statement was made.

FIG Trampoline Gymnastics International Judges’ Course
Frankfurt (GER), January 15 – 20, 2013

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, January 21, 2013: Trampoline held its course, the last of the Intercontinental Judges’ Courses for FIG competitive disciplines targeting the 2013 – 2016 Olympic Cycle, in Frankfurt (GER) from January 15 – 20, 2013.

Under the direction of Technical Committee President Horst Kunze (GER), and hosted by the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) at the new premises of the DTB Gymacademy, the course exclusively targeted judges officiating at FIG international competitions, World Cups, World Championships, the Olympic Games as well as the World Games.

A total of 62 participants from 24 different federations representing all continents participated in this course. It is the only opportunity for judges to certify in the highest brevet category of four, Category 1.

The course focused on the new 2013 – 2016 Code of Points that plays a determining part in shaping the development of the discipline over the upcoming four-year period. Major rule changes include the introduction of a second qualifying round at Trampoline World Championships and the evaluation of scores by the median mark of each single element.

This Intercontinental Course was the final event to be led by the 2009 - 2012 FIG Trampoline Technical Committee, marking the concluding function of the XIIth cycle of TC members before the Transfer of Powers ceremony in February. Course participants bid farewell to outgoing TC member Vladimir Zeman (CZE) and welcomed newly elected member Dmitri Poliarush (BLR), former representative for Trampoline at the FIG Athletes’ Commission.

Special thanks go out to FIG Executive Committee member Wolfgang Willam and DTB coordinator for Trampoline Gymnastics Denise Bürk, plus all of the gracious staff and volunteers from the German Federation, who provided excellent conditions and assured smooth running and excellent organisation of the course.

Following this Intercontinental Judges Course, a vast array of international judges’ courses organised by FIG member federations will be held over the coming months, with the first one in Budapest (HUN) on January 26 – 27, 2013. International judges’ courses are designed to give national Gymnastics federations the opportunity to train their judges on site in order for them to renew, confirm or improve their Brevet category.

Lebanese Gymnastics Federation

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office / Beirut (LIB), January 16, 2013: In mid-December of last year, the ordinary general assembly of the Lebanese Gymnastics Federation, convened by its incumbent President Mohammad A. Makki, was held in the Riyadi Beirut Sports complex.

Representatives from ten gymnastic clubs were present: Mr Mohamed Shaker (Riyadi Beirut Sports), Ayman Al-Omar (Tripoli Stars Club),  Bilal Joma’ah (Al-Hariri Complex), Ahmad Al-Hariri (Rafiq Hariri High School), Mohammed Sharaf (Boodha), Mazen Qubeesi (Qaseer Club), Jihad Salamah (Mont La salle), Sameer Shaghoori (Jamhour) and Amani Al-Haq as an observer. Among the guests attending, President Makki was pleased to welcome the official representative for the Ministry of Youth and Sport in Lebanon.

Statutory issues, including the accounts and budgets, were presented by Secretary General Randa Chidiak before being unanimously approved by the Assembly.

The highlight of the meeting was the re-election of the incumbent President. Mohammad Makki, President (Beirut’s Sport); Taleb Majed, Vice-President (Mont La Salle); Secretary General Randa Chidiak; Treasurer Ahmad Charaf; Alynn Haddad, Auditor; and Members Mohammad Charaf and Rabih Daaboul now make up the board of the Lebanese Federation.

Picture:
Standing from the left: Rabih Daaboul, Alynn Haddad, Mohammad Sharaf. Seating from the left: Talib Majeb, Mohamad Chaker (representing the hosting club), Mohamad Makki, Randa Chidiak, Ahmad Charaf.

Appeals cascade

Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office, January 14, 2013: The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has registered three appeals to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) following sanctions issued to Irina Deleanu (ROU) by its Appeal Tribunal in second instance, and to Luiza Galiulina (UZB) and Andrey Krylov (RUS) by its Disciplinary Commission.
 
The first action concerns Ms Deleanu herself, who was notified of her suspension from the European Gymnastics Union Technical Committee through to December 31, 2015.

With regard to the aforementioned Uzbek and Russian gymnasts, the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the FIG sanctions to the CAS. The two gymnasts having been convicted of doping, they were issued and a six and twelve month suspension, respectively.

Qatar Gymnastics Federation

Doha (QAT) AGU Office, January 10, 2013: Mr Ali Al-Hitmi (50), President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF), has been re-elected for another four-year term by delegates attending the General Assembly in the Qatari capital of Doha, December 25, 2012.

President Al-Hitmi is a former FIG Council Member (2009 – 2012), and as of January 1, 2013 a Member of the FIG Executive Committee, following his election at the recent FIG Congress in Cancun (MEX), October 2012.

The election of the QGF President to the FIG Executive Board reinforces Asian Union presence among the authorities of the international Federation; the Union is, incidentally, led by Mr Abdulrahman Al-Shatri, also of Qatari origin.

In his electoral speech, President Al-Hitmi declared his commitment to the development of gymnastics within his national federation, as well as locally and internationally. Qatar has been demonstrating impressive progress through the organisation of an annual FIG Circuit Challenge Cup competition in Artistic Gymnastics every March, and by training gymnasts with a growing international performance level.

On the programme for Qatari gymnastics this year: two international judges courses for Men’s and Women’s in March, a sixth edition Challenge Cup on March 27 – 29, and the Arab Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in December.
The Qatar Olympic Committee has endorsed the re-election of Ali Al-Hitmi as President in recognition of his contribution to the development and expansion of gymnastics in Qatar and beyond.

At the close of elections, the QGF Board includes (from the left): Mr Mohamed Al-Jabir, Secretary General; Mr Ali Al-Hitmi, President;  Mr Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani, Member; Mr Fawaz Al-Zarraa, Member; and (not in the picture) Mr Mohamed Al-Maragui, Member.

11th African Gymnastics Championships
Pretoria (RSA), December 9 – 13, 2012

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, December 18, 2012: Pretoria (RSA) hosted the 11th African Gymnastics Championships in the various disciplines of Aerobic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Double Mini-trampoline and Tumbling from December 9-13.

The championships took place at the Sports Centre of the University of Pretoria and were attended by Mohamed Yamani (ALG), President of the African Gymnastics Union (UAG), and FIG dignitaries President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA) and Vice President Michel Léglise (FRA), who were accompanied by Deputy Secretary General Nicolas Buompane.

The event brought together top gymnasts from across the African continent and took place in a friendly atmosphere in front of sizeable crowds.

There was plentiful evidence that the level of participating gymnasts has improved significantly since the last African Championships. The rising technical standard of the senior gymnasts was visible along with the great potential of the junior competitors, indicating a promising future for Gymnastics in Africa.

Factor in the smooth, professional running of the event and the overall impression from these 11th African Gymnastics Championships is that Gymnastics is following the right path for the development of the sport in Africa.

To view the full results of each discipline, click on the following links:

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-trampoline

Aerobic Gymnastics

11th African Championships
Pretoria (RSA), December 9 – 13, 2012

CAPE TOWN (RSA)- LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, December 7: A feast of Gymnastics entertainment will be on display in Pretoria (RSA) during the month of December when top gymnasts from across the African continent contest for Africa Championship titles in the various Gymnastics disciplines of Aerobic Gymnastics; Rhythmic Gymnastics; Trampoline; Double Mini-trampoline and Tumbling.

The South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) takes great pleasure in hosting the 11th African Gymnastics Championships at Tukssport Indoor Sports Centre Pretoria, from December 9 – 13, 2012. Countries participating will be those from Algeria; Angola; Congo; Egypt; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Senegal; Tunisia; and Zimbabwe, with just under 160 participants in total to date.

Entertaining performances by high caliber junior and senior elite level gymnasts from across Africa will be on display. With the Africa Championships occurring every 2nd year in rotating countries, this is a unique opportunity for South African Gymnastics fans to watch Africa’s best gymnasts live, as well as offer support to local gymnasts taking part.

International Gymnastics dignitaries will also be in attendance, such as International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA); FIG Vice President Dr. Michel Léglise (FIG); FIG Deputy Secretary General Nicolas Buompane; African Gymnastics Union (UAG) President Mohamed Yamani (ALG) and UAG Secretary General Ali Zaater.

SAGF welcomes all spectators and gymnastic enthusiasts to come and watch this Gymnastics spectacle. Entry is free for all spectators.

The Africa Championships schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

(Source: South African Gymnastics Federation)

Aaron Frederick Johnson (CAN) passes away

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, December 4, 2012: It is with great sadness that the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has learned of the passing of Aaron Frederick Johnson (CAN), 61. A Gymnastics Canada and Gymnastics British Colombia Life Member and husband of Shasta Trampoline Team head coach Valerie Johnson, Aaron passed away unexpectedly in hospital on Thursday, November 29, 2012.

Aaron worked with Gymnastics BC as the Trampoline Technical Coordinator and served as a coaching clinic facilitator for many years. His circus arts experience was invaluable in the development of Gymnastics BC’s ACRiX programme. He was also a key member of the association’s risk management committee that created the Safety First programme.

Aaron was exceptionally kind and caring; passionate and incredibly skilled, both as an athlete and a coach; most of all, he was extremely humble. His contributions to the local and international acrobatic and circus communities are immeasurable.

Aaron is survived by his wife of 34 years, Valerie; children, Travis and Sarah (Kevin); grandson, Noah; mother, Alice; sisters Darlene and Karen; brothers Arvid and Dana; and his dog, Abby.

Aaron’s passing is a great loss to the Gymnastics community throughout British Columbia, across Canada and around the world and FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA) extends his heartfelt condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the international Gymnastics community.

A trampoline and circus life

With a reputation of being one of the highest bouncers in the world, Aaron was the 1975 and 1976 Canadian Senior Trampoline Champion. He was also the first Canadian to compete a Triffis - a twisting triple somersault. He competed at the 1974 World Championships and retired from competition due to injury in 1976.

Aaron moved on to become the Canadian Trampoline Coaching Chairman and, along with other trampoline experts, began development of a safety manual. The result was the NCCP Trampoline Technical Manual, recognised worldwide as the safest and most progression based system for teaching trampoline.

He also began coaching at Shasta Trampoline Team in 1977 and was Canada’s National Coach from 1979 to 1990. Among his coaching highlights were Canada’s first World Double Mini-trampoline Gold in 1982 by Christine Tough and Bronze medals by Vikki Bullock in 1984 and Jeremy Brock in 1992.

Aaron joined FIG partner Cirque du Soleil in 1999, working in Las Vegas with Mystere at Treasure Island. After returning to Canada, Aaron and his son Travis opened the Vancouver Circus School in New Westminster and Whistler. For eight years, the school has provided circus opportunities to the community.

The Johnson family has requested privacy during this difficult time.

A memorial service will be held:

Date: Wednesday December 5, 2012
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Centennial Lodge Queens Park, New Westminster, British Colombia, Canada

He is remembered fondly as “the man who soared.” Bounce high, Aaron.

(Source: Gymnastics Canada)