1st GOLDEN GYM AGE FESTIVAL CLOSED - a big Success for All!

Closing Ceremony
... a colorful program!

The 1st Gymnastics Festival "Golden Age" which was opened last Sunday evening in Maspalomas/Canaries Islands finished on Friday's evening with a colorful closing ceremony. It was a European festival for active people who are older than fiffty years and more...!
From Monday to Friday, different workshops were organized, every day of the last week from 9:00 to 13:00.
These workshops were diversified with topics such as the Pilates method, aqua gym, aqua power, folk dances from the Canaries, ChiBall, modern dance, latin aerobic, games, Nordic walking, body expression, Tai chi chuan, etc.
The European Gymnastics Federation (UEG)made a first analysis about this first festival, but's shure - there will be a continuation...

CLOSING CERMONY: ... more Impressions will following very soon!

1st Golden Age GYM Festival - a first Analysis
- by Danielle Duchoud/UEG

The Golden Age Festival received a large support from the local and regional authorities. The presence of the Mayor and eleven representatives of the city during the opening ceremony proves it.
"For us, it was indispensable to show that we also give our support to another type of tourism, to active and healthy vacations for a very important part of the population" declared the sport Minister of Gran Canaria.
After final analysis, this first test event will enable them to ask for renewal of the experience to the UEG, and also for a shorter frequency, namely every two years instead of four, which seems to be strongly wished for by a large number of participants.
Source: ueg, D. Duchoud

Gymnastics activities - all together - for Health & Happiness!

Both shopping centres also brought their support by offering their venues for the public evening productions. As for the local organisers, the gymnastics club Blume-Gran-Canaria , they declared to be very proud that the UEG entrusted them with the organisation of this first event for the "golden age".
"As island organisation, it is not easy for us to organise championships. On the other hand, the Golden Age Gym Festival is an opportunity that we wanted to take. We believe in this type of events, because this age group is very often composed of long-time gymnasts and represents a huge potential for the UEG, its members federations and clubs", declared Jesus Telo Rodriguez, co-organiser and actual member of the committee of GG at the UEG, on a local radio.
"Through our contacts in Europe, we could benefit the presence of many competent instructors from Germany, Scandinavia or other countries. Our own members were fully engaged in the organisation or as course leaders. For example, the fold dance class was one of the activities the participants asked the more for" , he concluded, visibly very proud and satisfied at half week of this festival. He added: "The presence during a few days of the Vice-President Georges Guelzec, of two members of the Executive Committee and of the Press Officer of the UEG shows us that the UEG fully support this project".

For Rogerio Valerio (POR), member of the UEG committee GG and initiator of the idea of a festival for gymnasts over 50, the success of participation registered for this first edition proves that he had seen right. Strong of the successful experience of the EUROGYM festival for young gymnasts, the idea of which also started in Portugal, the committee of general gymnastics for sure hit the right spot with this Golden Age festival.

1st 'Golden GYM Age Festival'
- Maspalomas Night

1st GOLDEN GYM AGE FESTIVAL OPENED - Sport and Fun Day by Day!
The 1st Gymnastics Festival "Golden Age" was opened Sunday evening in Maspalomas/Canaries Islands. After a parade of some 1,200 participants from 23 countries in the streets of Maspalomas, the official opening ceremony took place in presence of UEG representatives, the organizing committee and the local political and gymnastics authorities.
From Monday through Friday, different workshops will be organised, every day from 9:00 to 13:00. These workshops will be diversified with topics such as the Pilates method, aqua gym, aqua power, folk dances from the Canaries, ChiBall, modern dance, latin aerobic, games, Nordic walking, body expression, Tai chi chuan, etc.

Jesus Telo, Spanish chief organizers of BLUME Gran Canaria welcomes all guests

The afternoons of the coming week will be reserved for active relaxation with walks, cultural activities, spa, etc. In the evenings, at 19:00, the groups will present their performances to the public on stages installed in the two most important shopping centres of the city.
The 1st "Golden GYM Age" Festival is meant for groups of gymnasts over 50 years.
It is a similar festival than Eurogym, for young gymnasts, with a different target group. This new activity offered by the UEG belongs to general gymnastics and immediately encountered a very large success in participation, since half of the UEG member federations will be present. With the help of the committee of general gymnastics, the organiser on site did not do less than the maximum. Their team is well trained as they organise every year the well-known BLUME Festival.
Source: ueg; photos by R. Kwiatek

... and this were the OPENING CEREMONY and the following wonderful Days...:

Opening at Maspalomas Sunday's Night: Guests from 23 nations! ... more Impressions

... a lot of Workshops for everywhere!

Photos by Rolf KWIATEK

Workshop, "Stick Walking"

At the seaside promenade 24 members from Czech, Spanish and German delegation met for stick walking.

The weather here - every time of the year is a dream: 25° C and a wonderful blue sky.

<< More Impressions from the ... working at the Beach!

>> ... a final report and more impressions will following very soon!
GYMmedia, E. Herholz

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