FIG - FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE

http://www.fig-gymnastics.com

MILESTONES IN FIG HISTORY

1842		Birth in Antwerp (BEL) of Nicolas J. CUPERUS, founder and FIG President for 43 years.
1863		Birth in Paris of Pierre Fredy Baron de Coubertin, Reviewer of the Olympic Games.
1881		Founding in Liège on July 23rd of the FEG office (Fédération Européenne de Gymnastique). N.J. Cupérus, President. Belgium, France and the Netherlands are represented at this first International Convention.
1896		Athens: First Olympic Games of the modern era, updated by Pierre de Coubertin. The FEG, recognised by the IOC, does not officially participate in these Games as an international federation. Eighteen gymnasts from five countries fought for individual titles.
1903		International Tournament in Antwerp (4 countries) is the first step towards the formation of World Championships.
1908		London: For the first time, the FEG participates in the Olympic Games as an official international federation, responsible for gymnastics worldwide.
1921		On April 7th, the FEG office becomes the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique FIG. Sixteen members are present.
1924		Ch. CAZALET(FRA), President.
1928		Founder Nicolas J. CUPERUS dies at the age of 86. In Amsterdam, women first participation in the Olympic Games.
1931		First Artistic Men’s  World Championships  in Paris
1933		Count Adam ZAMOYSKI (POL), President
1934		First participation of women in the World Championships in Budapest.
1937		Death of Baron de Coubertin.
1946		Goblet d'ALVIELLA (BEL), President.
1949		Introduction of the 1st Men's Code of Points.
1953		First Gymnaestrada in Rotterdam.
1956		Charles THOENI (SUI), President.
1961		Congress in Stuttgart. The FIG has 49 affiliated federations as members.
1963		Budapest, First World Championships of Modern Gymnastics, which,will become in 1975, becomesthe Rhythmic Sports Gymnastics.
1966		Arthur GANDER (SUI), President.
1967		The FIG participates in the establishment of the GAISF.
1968		Mexico Olympics: Vera CASLAVSKA (TCH), Sawao KATO
1971		Founding of the PAGU (Panamerican Gymnastics Union) in Cali (COL).
1972		MunichOlympics: Olga KORBUT, Ludmilla TOURISCHEVA (URS), Sawao KATO (JPN).
1973		The FIG opens its permanent secretariat in Lyss (SUI).
1975		Modern gymnastics becomes Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics.
1976		Yuri TITOV (RUS), President. Montreal Olympics: Nadia COMANECI (ROM), Nellie KIM (URS), Nicolai ANDRIANOV (URS).
1981		Celebration of the 100th anniversary in Montreux (SUI). RSG becomes an Olympic discipline.
1982		Founding of the UEG (Union Européenne de Gymnastique) and of the AGU (Asian Gymnastics Union).
1984		RSG in Olympics for the first time (Los Angeles). Lori Fung (CAN) first Gold Medallist.
1990		Founding of the UAG (Union Africaine de Gymnastique) in Alger (ALG).
1991		The FIG Head Office leaves Lyss for Moutier (SUI).
1992		The federation has 114 affiliated member federations and roughly 15 millions gymnasts. Vitaly SCHERBO (CEI), Emperor of the Games in Barcelona! He wins 6 gold medals!
1994		The General Assembly abolishes compulsory exercises for the Artistic Gymnastics programme for World Championships and Olympic Games as of 1997. It also decides to set up a Sports Aerobics Commission and to run the 1st FIG Sports Aerobics World Championships in 1995.
1995		First Artistic World Championships in Asia (Sabae, Japan)
1996		The 70th Congress and the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA). Bruno GRANDI (ITA) is elected President of the FIG. Sports Aerobics becomes an official FIG discipline. For the first time, RSG groups take part in the Olympic Games. Spain is Olympic Champion. More than 560,000 spectators attend gymnastics competitions at the Georgia Dome. The FIG now has 124 affiliated federations.
1997		The 33rd Artistic World Championships in Lausanne (SUI) welcome guests of the 106th session of the International Olympic Committee.
1998		71st Congress in Vilamoura (POR). The General Assembly adopts the new structures of the Federation (Council) and welcomes Trampoline and Sports Acrobatics as new FIG disciplines. FIG World Cup Final in Japan (City of Sabae). The FIT is dissolved. Trampoline becomes an official FIG discipline.
1999		First Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Asia (Japan, Osaka City). The IFSA is dissolved. Sports Acrobatics becomes an official FIG discipline. The FIG opens its own Internet site. Extraordinary Congress in Tianjin (CHN).
2000		Sydney: Trampoline makes a stunning entrance to the Olympic Games. Irina Karavaeva and Alexandre Moskalenko (RUS) are the first Olympic Champions in history. 73rd Congress held for the first time on the African Continent, in Marrakech (MAR).
2001		First Council meeting at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI).  The FIG has 125 affiliated Federations.
2002		The FIG opens its first Gymnastics Academy in Kuala Lumpur (MAS). The FIG counts 124 affiliated Federations and 2 associated Federations.
2004		The FIG harmonises the wording for its new disciplines: Trampoline Gymnastics, Aerobic Gymnastics and Acrobatic Gymnastics. Incidences occur at the Olympic Games in Athens during the Men’s Artistic events that result in the cancellation of the International Judges’ Courses and revision of the MAG/WAG Codes. Congress in Antalya (TUR): President Bruno Grandi takes on his 3rd mandate. The FIG welcomes the federations of the Bahamas (BAH), Congo (CGO), Mauritania (MTN), the Cook Islands (COK) and Botswana (BOT). The FIG counts 129 Affiliated Federations in all.
2005		André Gueisbuhler takes over the office of Secretary General from Norbert Bueche (January), who held the position since 1988. The FIG employs 19 persons at its headquarters in Moutier (as opposed to 4 upon its arrival in 1991).Introducing the new IRCOS (Instant Replay & Control System) project at the 38th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Melbourne (November).
2006		Official celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the FIG in Geneva (SUI), with Mr Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, attending.
2007		The FIG Council approves a Disciplinary Code. The FIG counts 128 affiliated Federations, 2 of which are associated.