Getting ready for the World Gymnaestrada
A 723 member strong British Gymnastics Delegation are getting
ready for the biggest and the most exciting gymnastics event
in 2007 - the 13th World Gymnaestrada which will be held in
Dornbirn, Austria from 8th until 14th July 2007.
The majority of them got together at the Fenton Manor Sport
Complex in Stoke on Trent over the last weekend, rehearsing
for the Mass Display and the English Speaking Nations Evening,
which will, hopefully, turn into one of the highlights of
this Mega Gymnastics Event involving 22,000 participants from
57 countries- twice as many compared to the Olympic Games!
The British Delegation includes 18 Official Groups who will
be performing daily in one of the eight halls of the Dornbirn
Trade Exhibition Centre; 12 Groups for the Mass Display who
will be performing in front of 10,000 people at the Reichsof
Stadium, and all those gymnasts involved in the much anticipated
National Gala.
The preparation started nearly two years ago with experts
Lisa Eastwood and Maria Lonergan helping all the groups on
a regular basis to develop their performances for Dornbirn.
Over the week 8-14 July Dornbirn and Vorarlberg region will
see no less than 1000 Group and Large Group Performances,
City Performances, Mass Displays and National Evenings, culminating
in the FIG Gala and Educational Forum.
Some people prefer to call the Gymnaestrada a Festival.
And it is, indeed! It is the “ordinary” gymnasts’
once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate Gymnastics for
All without competition and excessive stress, in a friendly,
bubbly and joyful atmosphere. Gymnaestrada is about learning
and sharing experiences, but most of all, it is a celebration
of the magic of Gymnastics.
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