08. Dezember 2008  
Lausanne, Switzerland  
Rhythmic Gymnastics

Focus on gymnast safety, and new RG apparatus ...

.. new RG innovation from Japan, host of the 2009 Worlds of Rhythmic Gymnastics

* f i g --: The FIG Apparatus Commission gathered on November 29-30 at the FIG Head Office for its second meeting in 2008.  President of the Commission Nicolae Vieru (ROU) and his colleagues Jvan Weber (SUI) and Ludwig Schweizer (GER) met with apparatus manufacturer representatives Hiro Hirabayashi (Senoh) and Jay Ashmore (AAI) to focuse their attention on gymnast safety, a topic on last weekend’s agenda.
... new RG apparatus approved
Two new kinds of clubs for Rhythmic Gymnastics produced by the Japanese company "Chacott" and made out of a softer material than before were approved by the Commission; their use is hereby authorised effective immediately.

Ludwig Schweizer (GER); right)
in discussion with Jacques Janssen (J&F, NED) at the Olympics in Beijing

Ludwig Schweizer (photo, right, in Beijing), who conducted a study at the Olympic Games in Beijing, reported that installations for gymnastic disciplines were excellent.
The Commission revised the apparatus norms for the 2009 – 2012 Olympic cycle and will soon release the new booklet.

Any and all weak points detected at the pre-events were corrected at the actual Games.

Finally, the Commission discussed greater protection around the vaulting board safety collar for Artistic Gymnastics. A study will be conducted in March of 2009 in collaboration with FIG equipment partners in order to improve flexibility and safety.