FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
Letter from the President
Nr 46
By Prof. Bruno Grandi, President of the FIG February 2011
100
th
FIG Academy!
Well do I remember the events surrounding February 2002 when the FIG opened the doors of its
first gymnastic Academy in Kula Lumpur (MAS), welcoming some fifty candidates for a teaching
brevet in Artistic Gymnastics.
Eight years had gone by when in December 2010 I welcomed participants to the 100
th
FIG
Academy (all disciplines included) in Aigle (SUI), where I delivered a message that I would now like
to share with the entire community.
In its Greek definition, an academy is a place of instruction; it is a place to learn, to acquire
experience in an aim teach others even as life experience continues to be gleaned. It is a place to
listen, to formulate an opinion; it is a place where teaching skills are developed and vision takes
root. FIG Academies educate the educators who will be responsible for preparing elite gymnasts
and those tasked to guide young people as they discover the sport. Responsibility is, indeed, what
it is all about.
Our gymnasts are far too often placed in the hands of individuals who though they have practised
gymnastics lack technical expertise, a scientific understanding of the human body, the ability to
target a given biopsychological capacity or handle the rigorous training schedule required for high
level gymnasts. The same applies in the context of neurological development and curriculum,
which must always be tailored to fit individual needs.
Too often, winning medals takes precedence over the health of our athletes.
It is the International Gymnastics Federation's responsibility to initiate the granting of diplomas and
brevets to coaches, and technicians in general, particularly in cases where the individual in
question aspires to a position as a technical committee member.
Academia! The project is the fruit of long years in teaching, judging and leadership; it is not an end,
but a beginning. It is a message I continue to repeat at every opportunity. The FIG Academies
have held an important position on my agenda since I was elected to the presidency in 1996.
Neither the objective nor its driving force has faltered for an instant.
With the unfolding of this 100
th
Academy, I pay tribute to those who have faithfully supported the
project; to the Academies Director, experts in various areas, the organising federations, and all
those whose contribution helped to build the edifice. I offer my sincere gratitude.
We stand at the half-way point of our initial objective. In October 2010, the General Assembly of
Vysoke Tatry ratified article 18.4 of our Statutes, which stipulates that as of January 1, 2013,
candidates for a technical post on any given committee will be required to fulfil the FIG Academy
curriculum, obtain a level 3 coaching diploma and present a category 1 or 2 judging brevet.
The position will thus have earned its rightful prestige.
With my compliments.
110
FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE