WORLD GYMNAESTRADA - an International Event without Medals! - by Margareth Sikkens-Ahlqist, Sweden

Margareth Sikkens-Ahlquist (FIG)

* f i g ---: Every fourth year the International Gymnastics Federation organises a World Gymnaestrada (WG).
The last one was held in 2007, in Dornbirn, Austria, participated by more than 21,000 gymnasts, representing 53 different nations...

The next Worldgymnaestrada 2011 will held in Lausanne, the Olympic and from 2008 on also the city of the F.I.G. headquarter, now.

The President of the Gymnastics For All Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation Margaret SIKKENS AHLQUIST wrotes ...

An International event without medals!

- by Margaret SIKKENS AHLQUIST (SWE),
* President of the Gymnastics For All Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Lausanne (SUI)
& Member of the IOC Sport For All Commission.
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Margaret SIKKENS-AHLQUIST, 2007 in Dornbirn, with the maskot 'Rappy'

INTRODUCTION
Every fourth year the International Gymnastics Federation organises a World Gymnaestrada (WG).
This is done with the help of one of our member federations who acts as the host Organising committee (OC).
Five years before the event, the FIG Council decides where to stage the event, based on the bid applications received.
The first World Gymnaestrada was organised in 1953, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Since then 13 events have been held and the next will take place in 2011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
In 1953, 5000 gymnasts, representing 14 federations attended and at the last WG, in 2007 Dornbirn, Austria, 21,158 gymnasts, representing 53 federations participated.
The World Gymnaestrada is an event where the participants perform group displays. There are no competitions and no medals; it is a cultural sports festival that is all about bringing together people from all corners of the world - regardless of their age, abilities or cultural background. Fun, fitness, learning and friendships are core values of the WG, not competition or awards and yet we still have more than 20,000 active participants.

M E T H O D S
The FIG’s Gymnastics for All committee is responsible for the event and work closely together with the OC through the entire process.
The WG is also an important development tool for the sport of Gymnastics. Ongoing studies are conducted and statistics are kept.
This allows the FIG to evaluate not only the number of countries participating but also provides valuable insights about the participants, in respect to age, gender and interests, along with the forms of gymnastics demonstrated and performance quality in terms of technical content. The quality and entertainment value of each performance is also rated.

R E S U L T
While the participation numbers of around 20,000 are very satisfying the FIG will continue to work to increase the number of countries involved in the World Gymnaestrada. The study results also guide the development of our educational frameworks and key projects implemented across the world. The studies will be continued and also expanded to evaluate the reasons behind participation in an event where no medals are possible, people must pay all costs themselves and where the majority of accommodation involves sleeping in school classrooms.

D I S C U S S I O N
The FIG provides opportunities for involvement at all levels. This includes International experiences for top level athletes at World Championships and Olympic Games but just as important are the people who participate in the sport for enjoyment, fitness and health and who attend events such as our World Gymnaestrada.
Gymnastics for All activities cater for all ages and not only form the base of all our competitive disciplines but also play an important contributing role to the well-being, fitness and health of all participants.
The World Gymnaestrada provides an opportunity for us to demonstrate the value of our sport.
The FIG will continue with this important World event and along with our new World Gym for Life Challenge will provide more participation opportunities in the future.

* Margaret SIKKENS AHLQUIST (SWE)

FIG, Gymnastics for All Committee
* Source: FIG

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