Just received an email from a group in support of granting a wild card spot to Aljaz Pegan on Horizontal Bar for the 2008 Olympics.
Obviously, he should be there.
But because he finished only 2nd on his best event at the last World’s, he did not qualify. You must finish 1st at Worlds to be guaranteed a spot.
Dear gymnastics friends
We are appealing to you to support our application for the Olympic games wild card nomination for Slovenian gymnast Aljaz Pegan.
His first participation at the World Championships reach back to Stutgart in 1989 and since then he has won more than fifty medals at the biggest international competitions. He is the top ranked gymnast on the FIG Ranking List (Horizontal bar). He also has an element, pegan, named after him.
In the last three World Championships he has won one gold and two silver medals,
yet he is denied the participation at the Olympic Games.The support and demands of Slovenian public regarding his Olympic qualification have reached immense proportion and in this light we are obliged to turn also to international community to extend its help to country with a long-standing gymnastics tradition.
We are appealing to you to support our quest for his participation at the Olympic Games by replying to this email.
Yours faithfully,
Klemen Bedenik, President of Slovenian Gymnastics Federation
Janez Kocijancic, President of Slovenian Olympic Commitee
Miroslav Cerar, President of Slovenian Olympic Academy
GLAS PODPORE :: za Aljaža Pegana (not in English)
FIG has to change regulations so that the stars of the sport can qualify for our showcase event.
FIG made the same mistake in Athens 2004, not qualifying Leszek Blanik from Poland on vault though everyone knew he was one of the top 2 vaulters. (Blanik has qualified for Beijing.)
The real problem, in my opinion, is that we still have too much priority on “team”.
All gymnasts are individual athletes. Summing their scores and awarding medals to the group is living a lie.
That said, I love watching team competition. There is spectator appeal.
In future we need get our superstars on television at the big meet. (As they do in the X Games.) If that means even fewer teams. Or fewer individuals on teams, so be it.
Whatever system leaves Pegan out of the Olympics, has priorities wrong.
I don’t think you or I have any input on this appeal. Leave a comment if there is a way to support this athlete who certainly will one day be in a Hall of Fame.
Simply email the group to show your support of this appeal: admin@pegan.si
Gymnastics Coaching.com 