Last honours for Pierre Chabloz, Honorary President of the UEG

* NECROLOGY of  U E G: 
Pierre C H A B L O Z - a meaningful European
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The Founder (1982) and Honorary President of the European Gymnastics Federation (UEG),  Mr. Pierre Chabloz - from La Tour-de-Peilz in Switzerland, was the first President of the UEG, founded in 1982 - has passed away on Wednesday morning, December 3rd.

Pierre Chabloz was hospitalized several weeks ago; he was first in a hospital in Lausanne, later on transferred to the Hospital Lavaux in Cully. Two years after his dear wife and 6 days before his 92nd birthday, Pierre Chabloz died in peace early the morning, December 3rd.

In 1971, he joins the Central Committee of the Federal Gymnastics Society (FGS) and from 1973 to 1979 he had the honour to be its President. He was one of the persons who were in favour of the merger of the men’s and women’s associations in Switzerland, leading to the creation of the Swiss Gymnastics Federation in 1985. As President of the FGS he was represented in many sports organisations in Switzerland, such as the Swiss Olympic Committee where he was a member from 1973 to 1981 and Secretary General from 1981 to 1985.

One of the unforgettable moments of his long career in Switzerland was his participation in the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo as Head of delegation.
Activities on an international level His numerous functions on a regional and national level, his never ceasing commitment for gymnastics, his visions of the future awakened his interest in gymnastics in the other European countries.
In 1974 he adheres, with other friends from close federations to the Study Commission of National Federations of Western Europe, and chairs later on the Community of Interests of Western European Gymnastics Federations.
Then, in March 1982, came the great moment - the foundation of the European Union of Gymnastics UEG in Luxemburg.
He chaired “his” UEG until 1993 with a steady hand in a velvet glove in the General Secretariat in Lausanne. He negotiated the first contracts with the European Broadcasting Union (Eurovision) in order to make some money for the UEG which, at the beginning, had a “fortune” of 5 Swiss Francs. Being a dynamic president, he gave the UEG modern structures which are mostly still operational and he signed long-term partnership contracts with important companies as France Télécom and Longines. For his enomous engagement for gymnastics on international level, he was made an Honorary Member of the International Gymnastics Federation FIG in 1994.

Even after having resigned as UEG President, he continued to be very interested in its activities and assisted regularly at the UEG Congresses, also last year in Prague, as well as at several European Championships.
He was of an extreme courtesy and presented always his personal messages, a proof of his loyalty towards the UEG. He was always highly pleased meeting his “old” friends and sharing many souvenirs, often with a good sense of humour. Pierre Chabloz has found very many friends across Europe and around the world. Indeed, these last weeks he has received daily messages, letters or phone calls.
He never forgot a birthday and always sent postcards from his various travels to his close friends.

The president Dimitropoulos and the authorities of the UEG, the staff of the secretariat in Lausanne, the former President Klaus Lotz and former authority members of the UEG, his many friends in Switzerland, in and outside of Europe experience today a feeling of enormous loss and sadness - but also an immense gratitude to a great personality, a committed gymnast, a dear friend.
All those who had the privilege of knowing Pierre address today their deepest feelings of sympathy to his daughters, grandchildren and his family.
They share their sadness and assure to keep alive the most faithful memory of Pierre.
* SOURCE: Necrology of UEG