3rd Grand Prix 2007 - MARBELLA, Spain

3. Grand Prix 2007,  Marbella, Spain
    - April 20 - 22 -

RESULTS

>> GP Mehrkampf / All-around  (= Grand Prix Qualifikation)

> Qualification Seil / Rope   >> Final Seil / Rope

>> Qualification Reifen / Hoop   >> Final Reifen / Hoop

>> Qualification Keulen / Clubs   >> Final Keulen / Clubs

>> Qualification Band / Ribbon   >> Final Band / Ribbon

Sunday, April, 22:
... first results from Marbella arrived on Sunday evening ..?!
... after the end of our GYMmedia weekend editing service for reasons of personell and cost ...!
Sorry, but so we are not able to comment more details of this event
- the editors -

GYMmedia spoke to Ursula BORN (GER), President of the Grand Prix Committee, before she departed for Marbella.

GYMmedia: Spain is well known as a western European stronghold of gymnastics. However, Marbella is organizing the Grand Prix for the first time.  How did this come about...?
U. Born:  - "Spain has indicated its interest for some years and applied to host an event officially this year, at Marbella."

GYMmedia: - What do you expect of the organizers at the weekend...?
U. Born:  - " I expect a well organized event."

GYMmedia: - The dominance of the Russian and Ukrainian gymnasts is well known. Once again the two or three participating world class athletes will dominate the tournament. Doesn't this sometime irritate the rest of the gymnastics community?
  ... in other words: Has the Grand Prix committee ever considered measures to rein in this overbearing dominace?
U. Born:  - " This is the reason why the rules were changed last year. Last year three or four gymnasts from Russia were still able to participate; this is no longer possible according to the new rules. The same applies to the Ukraine and Belorussia. At most two gymnasts from the ranking can participate per country; the medal winners of the European and World Championships and the Olympic games are excepted. They can always participate, if they are not already part of the ranking. But these gymnasts also have to qualify for the finals by way of the allround competition."

GYMmedia: - This year there will be nine Grand Prix events and the final in Innsbruck. What structure do you as GP-President think is optimal for such a series?
U. Born:  - "I believe that ten is the maximum number of events such a series should comprise."

GYMmedia: - If you had three wishes concerning the arrangement of the Grand Prix series ... which would they be?
U. Born:  - "We, i.e. the Grand Prix Committee, are very pleased with the organization and the course of the tournaments. One can always have wishes, for instance concerning the marketing in the western European countries. It is a very good thing that the series has become firmly established, we appreciate that the organisers are all volunteers. The number of tournaments proves, that the Grand Prix Series makes great publicity for Rhythmic Gymnastics for many hosting countries."

Ursula Born was interviewed by Eckhard Herholz (GYMmedia, Berlin)

Marbella - is a town in Southern Spain, a well-known bathing resort on the Costa del Sol; it is located in the province of Malaga and has 124.333 inhabitants (2005).

The town has several yachting marinas (e.g. Puerto Banus) and a fishing harbour. In neighbouring San Pedro de Alcántara, which has its origins in the Roman settlement Silniana, there are antique mosaics and thermal baths and the remains of a early Christian basilica dating back to the 4th century.

Spain, a gymnastics-loving country, will host the 3rd Grand Prix Competition of this year's series here in the pre-Olympic year 2007.