16. November 2009  
Kienbaum/Berlin, Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

British Training Camp Disability Gymnastics in Germany successfully finished ....

Eberhard Gienger
visited the Brits in Kienbaum

The third International training camp of the British gymnastics federation, after South Africa and Gran Canaria (2008) , which took place during the last weeks for the first time in Germany on the grounds of the Bundesleistungszentrums Kienbaum, finished successfully and highly rated, on the weekend.  Also the DOSB-vice-president Eberhard GIENGER got an idea of the level of development of the British, as also the new consultant for apparatus and trampoline gymnastics of the German gymnastics federation, Ann-Katrin KNITTEL, who was intensively involved with the structures and possibilities on site, and is working on offering, also in Germany, ambitious training and apparatus for the three olympics disciplines. This seminar, which was initiated by the ex-gymnast Ronny Ziesmer as the patron and supported by his partners, the Daimler Corporation , will surely find supporters and followers...

The Vice President of the 'German Olympic Sports Federation' (DOSB), Eberhard Gienger, among the participants of rhythmic gymnastics from Irland, Norway and Great Britain

From Norway came Katelyn Garbin, Mathilde Falch and Kristin Augdahl - all of them enthused by rhythmic gymnastics

"One has the impression here, that it is not about being handicapped, but about gymnastics, here, something is being achieved, and the whole thing is fun at the same time!"  - this is how the vice-president of the top-class sports of the "German Olympic Sports Federation" (DOSB) Eberhard GIENGER summarized his impressions, during his visit to the handicapped gymnastics training camp of the British gymnastics federation in the Bundesleistungszentrum Kienbaum.
Especailly also the rhythmic sports gymnastics seems adequate, to emphasise the grace and willingness to achieve of the part-taking girls, with their ambitious, athletic movements, so that their various physical or psychological handicaps - as if by magic, do not seem to exist anymore. This may also lie in the amazement of the viewers, about their achievement potential and willingness to achieve,

Eight years ago Kay GALTER (li.)is the British National Coach Rhythmic Gymnastics for disabled person

which do not leave space for feeling sorry for particular impairments...!
For achievement orientated gymnasts, the Brits even have a national trainer!
<< Kay GALTER (left) is in this position since 8 years and explains the structure and the ideao to Eberhard Gienger, how ambitious options can heighten the self-confidence of young girls. Therefore particularly rhythmic gymnastics offers the best possibilities.

Gracefull was also the tighlty organised warm up programme of the gymnasts. Here, where otherwise the seminars of the German National team take place, the Dutch acted in the foregroundBo Dominicus from Tilburg as displaying gymnast.
Bo is in standard 7, was born deaf and must be the only gymnast, with such a handicap, to perform on all four Olympics apparati !

Trainer Ester LEON, Eberhard GIENGER, Bo DOMINICUS

The ex-high-bar world champion Eberhard Gienger let Bo Dominicus' home trainer Ester LEON (left) expalin, which specifications have to be considered during training.  "If one wants to bring the system of the British to Germany, then one has to really test, which structural and logistic things belong to the environment and also to the taking over of responsibility, and where one wants to go with such new, athletic contents," - said the contemplative "sports politician" Gienger!

Ann-Katrin Knittel (DTB),
Hazel Coates (British Gymnastics)

What the Brits are aiming for, is absolutely clear for the TK-chairman of the hadicapped sports of the British federation Hazel COATES,:
- Promotion of the international world competition events;
- Refinement of the classification;
- Integration into the Paralympics;
- Development of clubs and promotion of talents;
- Promotion of taking-part all over the world .
It seems as though she has found the right contact person with the successor of Mrs. Dr. Swantje Scharenberg in the bureau of the consultant of the DTB for apparatus gymnastics and trampoline, Ann-Katrin KNITTEL:

 

"I am still fascinated and thrilled, by the the year long hard work of the Brits - and what they have achieved, both structurally and of the displayed achievements!
My goal is to follow the impressive example of the British and to find means and ways in the future ...

Emil van Hove on the rings: ... curious really, that the so varying and complex - for body and
mind, so precious
gymnastics still has not found a paralympic equivalent!

... to open the way for gymnastics - also for German children and youth - despite physical or psychological handicaps !
We are standing in front of a great challenge in this field, which surely will not be achievable from one day to the next, first we need trainers in particular areas, which have to be especially sensitized and trained.
The Brits have showed me, however that above all, one cannot be afraid, to set oneself these new tasks, because at the end of the day, there are few differences in actual training : It is not about a person being handicapped, but about showing this person, which forms of possible movement this person has!
I think it is still a little early, to think about a competition or championship system. First of all it is important to make aware in cooperation with the German disability federation, that also handicapped have the chance to do gymnastics! Foremost my goal is to follow through a special day in schoold for the handicapped or a holiday camp as well as sensitizing trainers, to deal with this field and to get specific training for this.
I think in cooperation with the Brits and through their offer to help us with our aims, a further training for trainers with a following training camp is definitely possible!
... and who knows, maybe we will also manage to build up our own competition system some day and to offer the Brits competition... they would surely be happy about competition, as Hazel Coates has mentioned!"

Eberhard Gienger (58) with his tie flying in the air - on the high-bar in Kienbaum - amazed Brits!

** Small VIDEO TRAINING IMPRESSIONS

What an unbelievable hello there was in the hall, when "Ebse" Gienger took off his jacket, to - despite his 58 years and in a manner which could not be copied - did a few giant wheels and twists into the foam ditch ...unbelievable:
Even the handicapped youth from England - of a truly differnet generation - knew the name "Gienger"  - from the Gienger-summersault! Unbelievable, that they saw him in action here, and could even touch him.
In lively conversations afterwards, one could really feel the motivation, which sparked in all the athletes!

With an obviously proud lifted chest the meeting with the German ex-champion Eberhard Gienger, as well as the trainings camp in Germany surely will be remembered will by all the part-taking gymnasts >* Reports/Fotos: GYMmedia INTERNATIONAL<7I>

* ... more about the British project:
"GMPD - Gymnastics and Movement for People with Disabilities"
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* Nov 2009
   > Ronny Ziesmer opened Trainingcamp in Kienbaum
   > Preview: Brits start Training Campf Disability Gymnastics

* Juli 2009
    >  Sir Philipp Craven met Ronny Ziesmer
* May/Juni
  > British Gymnastic members visited to Frankfurt
* Feb 2009:
  > Visit to Berlin by Representativs of British Gymnastics

* Nov 2008:
  >> Gymnastics Movement for People with Disabilities
* Juli 2008: 
 >> International Camp and Friendly Competition