B.G.: It would have been the first time anyone dedicated a melody to me. It was very nice of her and I really enjoyed her performance. I’ve known her for a long time now.

B.G.: There are three associations in our country, which all put in a lot of work. It’s not easy to find a solution for them all to work together. Only one of them is recognised by the NOC and that’s the Gymnastics Federation.

I think it is very well suited as a physical preparation for other disciplines and types of sport, it is an ideal possibility for sports. It is being used by athletes as well as Formula 1drivers. Many participate in aerobics. And that says it all, doesn’t it?

Yes, I used to be a member of the Italian national team in the 1960s, together with Menichelli and the Carminucci brothers but unfortunately never at world championships or Olympics.

First of all that it becomes an Olympic sports and secondly, that many groups of six form in mass sports and that they perform publicly. Unfortunately, we haven’t managed to enter aerobics into the programme for Athens 2004. We would have had to cut some of the artistic gymnastics instead.

These are problems which I as the President am also very much concerned about. We have to find solutions. There are judges who are not acting properly. I am saying this quite clearly and am going to support my fellow Italian Ms Egle Abruzzini in her efforts – they have to go! One mustn’t eliminate the sports discipline but exclude the judges.

The pressure on the FIG is very great. The FIG and not the national associations determines the judges for the Olympic Games. And I’ll say it again quite clearly, we’ll disqualify those who don’t judge and act correctly.

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