Bumf.
If there’s anything that’s sure to solve a problem in a huge bureaucratic monopoly, it’s more paper.
… In the future indeed, gymnasts intending to participate in any official FIG competition will need to present a FIG licence. Such was the decision taken by the FIG Executive Board in May of 2008, which will come into force at the Artistic World Championships in London (GBR) in September of this year. With time, gymnasts from every discipline will need to follow suit.
The gymnastic passport serves to identify athletes and verify accreditation. The licence is required for the Olympic Games, World and Continental Championships, the World and Continental Games, World Cup Series, International Age Group Competitions and for all FIG-backed competitions and tournaments among federations.
By signing, an athlete attests to his or her identity and age, and consents to a formal athlete profile in the Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS), as provided in the WADA Code (World Anti-Doping Agency). …
Obviously there is no person alive who believes that a “gymnastics passport” will do any more to deter age cheats (gymnasts lying about their age) than simply using real passports.
Is there some advantage in tying the anti-doping to this new document? Or is it a total waste of time and money?
Gymnastics Coaching.com 