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...having asked |
The New Apparatus on Vault | German![]() |
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...having asked about, today:
So changes have been inevitable. Also with former developments, like e.g. the Reuther springboard, the uneven bars fixed with ropes, the padded beam etc. SPIETH has brought new accents to the development of gymnastics apparatus and their philosophy has been that the health of the gymnast is always the most important aspect. Therefore after many discussions since 1993 also on this field a change has been unavoidable.
U. SPIETH: During the World championships 1993 in Birmingham the FIG Vice-president Siegfried Funk pointed out to the producers of gymnastics equipment that the horse on vault had to be developed further. At that point of time no one of them reacted except for SPIETH. Already in 1994 we had presented to the FIG the first prototype which of course was still quite similar to the old horse. In 1996 we agreed on a co-operation with Helmut Hödlmoser from Austria, coach and sculptor, who had a new idea for us. We were enthusiastic about it and developed a prototype which was presented for the first time to the responsible persons from the FIG, the international experts and the press at the World championships in Lausanne in 1997.
U. SPIETH: At the beginning we had to approach the whole spectrum of possibilities on vault. There only the coach Helmut Hödlmoser and our development team were needed. When the first "Ergojets" which could be used for gymnastics were ready we further tested them with the IAT ( Institute for Applied Training Science ) Leipzig and the training centre Leonding/ Austria.
Then we offered to the FIG to test this new vaulting table internationally which they readily accepted. The FIG gave us 5 training centres world-wide: Lilleshall/ England, Cincinnati and Colorado Springs/ USA, Milan/ Italy and Moscow/ Russia. In addition to this a few vaulting tables went to Hungary and Romania.
U. SPIETH: Regarding our experiences, already after a few vaults athletes can reach their competition level. The results seen up to now show that adapting from the usual horse to the new vaulting table is easier than the other way round. Due to the new shape of the apparatus and the support of the vault more difficult vaults will be shown in future. But this is a normal development if you consider comparisons to changes at other apparatus.
U. SPIETH: The FIG has published guidelines enabling every producer of gymnastics equipment to build a new vault apparatus. As soon as an examination in one of the institutes of the FIG has been passed successfully, also such kind of apparatus from other producers can be used in competitions. So at first it has to be seen which apparatus will pass the test successfully. Only then it will be known which producer will get a look-in.
U. SPIETH: Your statement is absolutely right. This apparatus can be used for all levels of age and performance! Of course it is up to each national federation if it generally permits this apparatus or if it is decided from one case to the next due to reasons of distribution. It is certain that at the moment no producer can deliver to the whole world market. Surely there are federations and clubs which want to use this apparatus immediately. It will be used at first in official training centres of the federations which will send their athletes to the World championships.
U. SPIETH: "We from SPIETH could once again set a new sign internationally for the benefit and the health of the gymnasts. As said before it is up to the federations at which competitions the new apparatus on vault will be used. It certainly will take a couple of years until all clubs and training centres will have purchased new apparatus. I cant jet imagine this apparatus to be used in school gyms as for safety reasons it is heavy and in a sports lesson at school you dont have the time to fix it. But I can imagine that with the support of a club this apparatus could also be used in a school gym."
U. SPIETH: We try to design the apparatus in that kind of way so that it will be multifunctional. Being a producer of "high-tech apparatus" we cannot develop another version for schools due to reasons of costs. But where clubs use school gyms surely the new vaulting tables can be taken.
U. SPIETH:
The way things stand at
the moment, ex works c. DM 5,480 (2,740 Euro). The interview with Ullrich Spieth from SPIETH
Gymnastic/ Esslingen |
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