The FIT Congress which took place 6th October 1998 in Sydney has ratified the Agreement for Merger with the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG).

An overwhelming majority of the delegates (33 Yes, 4 No) voted in favour of this historical merger which will bring Trampoline into the Olympic Programme in Sydney 2000.

The FIT will dissolve per 31st December 1998 and its three sports Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Trampoline will become disciplines of the FIG by 1st January 1999. They will be governed by the new FIG Technical Commission for Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Trampoline.

The Congress unanimously nominated Ron Fröhlich to represent the FIT in the FIG Executive Committee and the FIG Council.

The Congress has elected this new FIG Technical Commission as follows:

President: Horst Kunze, GER

Members: Nicolao Makarov, RUS,  Filipe Carbalho, POR,  David Ward-Hunt, GBR
                        Tim Schlosser, USA,  Jos Kerkhoven, NED

 Athletes Representative: Emanuel Durand, FRA
plus two members to be nominated by the FIG Executive Committee.

In Sydney:
Andrè Gueisbuhler, Ron Froehlich and Horst Kunze

 Ron Froehlich, FIT President:

« It is the first time in the history of the IOC, that two International Federations merge. It was not easy to dissolve our over thirty year old, independent, IOC recognised Federation and I am proud that our member federations have made this step into the future - a future with the oldest Olympic Sport Federation, the FIG. I wish to thank all those who, for the benefit of the ahtletes, gave up their positions in order to make this merger possible.  I am convinced that we shall feel good in the family of Gymnastics and be as independent as the other FIG disciplines.»

André F. Gueisbuhler, FIT Secretary General:

«This merger comes from the basis: Many FIT member federations are members of the FIG and vice versa. In the practical life, Trampoline and Gymnastics have been training together in the same halls, using the same apparatus. Trampolining is a must for every Gymnast - Gymnastics is a must for every Trampoliner. Our sports are from the same family. I am looking forward to being part of the Gymnastics family, I believe that Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Trampoline will develop tremendously Worldwide. »

Susan Challis, Athletes Representative:

Trampolininst tend to be enthousisastic sorts of people, Just the possibility of becoming an olympic sport has raised the intensity of effort around the world. Now that it is definately going to happen we are excited beyond belief and I think that hords of people who are only vaguely awar that Trampolining exists at moment will soon be queueuing up to try it out.

Mr. André F. Gueisbuhler, FIT Secretary General, Tel. +41 32 494 64 15.