F.I.G. is doing a superb job of “corporate” communication these days.
This is old news, but I love how it’s phrased on the FIG website:
… At mid-cycle, the 44 Council members took a moment to map out the months and years to come for its gymnasts.
No means no!
The elected members demonstrated a sense of courage and determination, turning a deaf ear to the usual “demons” that attempt to infiltrate the Federation time and again; this time around, proposals for podium warm-ups and a 15 year minimum age limit for female gymnasts.
As for the former, media demands sufficed for a rejection. The truth is podium warm-ups irritate TV broadcasters, who are looking for a certain rhythm, an entertaining show, highlights and short sequences. The downtime that would result from podium warm-ups would only serve to undermine entertainment quality and, worse, encourage networks to cover other discipline with a more suitable programme. …
Second proposal denied! The Council resisted the urge to go back in time and bring the minimum age limit down from 16 to 15 for female Artistic gymnasts. …
read more – FIG – 10th FIG Council Chiba (JPN), May 12 – 13, 2010
No means no!
You might disagree with Bruno Grandi, as I do, but you can’t accuse him of obfuscation. This press release is crystal clear.
11 comments ↓
Demons? People really need to get together and start their own federation. They will probably have to give up the Olympics but if they’re not willing to do that, nothing will ever change.
I wish the FIG would get someone a bit more professional to do their press releases – they always seem quite immature to me.
Its also nice to see that it is TV coverage that the FIG cares about when it comes to podium warm-ups – the safety of the gymnasts concerned isn’t even worth commenting on I notice.
FIG use a special type of English, it’s fascinating to read, in all their documents. Mix of Italian, French & German native speakers, tied in with Swiss efficiency!
Several people I talked to were slightly offended at the arrogant, unnecessarily bombastic tone of this. It smacks of anti-Americanism.
I love the use of the term “mid-cycle”. It makes it sound as if the FIG was ovulating. But I’m sure Bruno is way past menopause.
And athletes in the Southern Hemisphere mature earlier?
Well, maybe copying the world of horse racing and giving all gymnasts an official birthday of January 1st would make it easier for the FIG to ignore age cheats – then federations would only have to worry about faking the year.
I LIKE watching warm ups. It’s part of the fun, and gives the fans more chance to see the gymnasts.
The FIG is so entertainingly irrational.
Refusing to lower the age limit to “protect” gymnasts from training they would be doing anyway – all to prevent people who watch gymnastics for 2 days out of 4 years from complaining little kids are being “abused”.
But God forbid those people would have to watch somebody warm up – although I think the sight of someone breaking their neck will end up being a lot more horrifying than the sight of some little kid in a leotard.
“athletes in the Southern Hemisphere mature earlier”
Of course that’s nonsense.
Girls from nations with a rich diet mature earlier.
Rick,
why don’t you ask Hardy or Slava to comment “on the record”?
they are, of course, the countrie’s representatives, both elected and salaried on FIG?
I agree with FIG. You coaches disagree because you can’t keep gymnasts until they turn 16.
I haven’t seen Slava for years. But I’ll send off an email to Hardy.
Even though that’s not his area at FIG any longer, he’s normally got a well considered opinion.
so here’s a thought, if podium warm up rules are not changed and allowed, i think individual gymnasts who experience a catastrophic injury have every reason to sue the FIG for negligence in their duty of care as event organisers and as the gymnastics governing body. just a thought
What is john saying exactly?
One year LESS of training may just save some bodies. Who the heck knows? I just know the FIG hasn’t been out for the best interest of the gymnasts in a decade or so.
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