FéDéRATION INTERNATIONALE DE  GYMNASTIQUE
* Press Review 2009 ...

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February 21 -27

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** GYMNASTICS
Benefiting from twists and turns February 26, 2009 (Bankok Post): Modern parents are usually concerned about developing the perfect personality for their children. Some send their offspring to expensive personality development training schools, while others simply employ the classic, but perhaps not so classy, method of having the little darlings practise balancing a book on their heads. A number of Thai parents, however, have discovered that rhythmic gymnastics can help in bringing about a good personality for their children as well as in ensuring that they maintain a healthy lifestyle. >> Read more …
Was Mary Lou Retton a Pioneer in Gymnastics? February 24, 2009 (International Gymnast): The 2009 American Cup was, more or less, predictable: American women Jordyn Wieber and Bridget Sloan easily went 1-2, leading the field by 3 points, and the inconsistency of the U.S. men allowed Germany's Fabian Hambüchen to win the all around.  >> Read more …
Gymnastics not yet out of fashion for Liukin  February 23, 2009 (Los Angeles Times): Nastia Liukin tries to blend in when she goes to Southern Methodist University for the psychology and philosophy classes she began taking this semester. That works on the days when she isn't running late so there is no time to change out of her workout clothes. Then, she said, everyone in the classes knows who she is: the 2008 Olympic champion in the women's all-around, the event that can turn gymnasts into icons. >> Read more …
Azerbaijani junior group team on rhythmic gymnastics ranks third in international tournament in Estonia February 23, 2009 (News Trend): The Azerbaijani junior group team preparing for the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championship in Baku scheduled in May ranked third at the international tournament in Estonia. Sabina Abbasova, Aelita Khalafova, Kamila Mammadova, Nigar Abdusalimova, Evgeniya Zhidkova and reserve gymnast Nargiz Aliyeva managed to hold this medal position on the second day scoring totally 45.08. >> Read more …
The hard road to success for Malaysian gymnastics February 22, 2009 (The Star): Mention the name of Faiznur Miskin and the face of N. Shanmugarajah, the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF)’s secretary, will light up. The famed former rhythmic gymnast Faiznur’s success of winning five gold medals at the 1989 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur is seen as a significant turning point for Malaysian gymnastics. >> Read more …
Reconnaissance des efforts consentis par l’instance africaine February 22, 2009 (La Tribune): Réélection de Mohamed Yamani à la tête de la Confédération africaine de gymnastique - La gymnastique africaine, ‘’absente’’ ces dernières années de la scène internationale, revient ‘’petitement mais sûrement’’ à même de lui présager un avenir sur le plan international», a déclaré en marge du congrès de la Confédération africaine de gymnastique (CAG), au Caire, le président de la CAG, l’Algérien Mohamed Yamani. >> Read more …
Sid-Ali Ferdjani, un champion au sommet de son art February 22, 2009 (La Tribune): 8ème place au classement mondial du cheval d’arçon - Il a fait rêver les foules et chavirer les salles. Au prix de prédispositions exceptionnelles et d’une volonté de fer. Mais pas seulement pour gagner, le moindre détail compte, même la couleur du maillot! Vert, blanc et rouge. Sid-Ali Ferdjani a su devenir à un moment ou à un autre le meilleur de sa discipline. >> Read more …
Réélection de Mohamed Yamani à la tête de la Confédération africaine de gymnastique February 22, 2009 (La Tribune): «La gymnastique africaine, ‘’absente’’ ces dernières années de la scène internationale, revient ‘’petitement mais sûrement’’ à même de lui présager un avenir sur le plan international», a déclaré en marge du congrès de la Confédération africaine de gymnastique (CAG), au Caire, le président de la CAG, l’Algérien Mohamed Yamani. «Le ‘’renouvellement de confiance’’ à ma personne par ma réélection à la tête de la CAG est une reconnaissance des efforts consentis par l’instance africaine dans la formation des athlètes et des techniciens ainsi que pour le développement et la promotion de cette discipline qui était presque absente au niveau africain», a déclaré à l’APS M. Yamani en marge de la clôture des Championnats d’Afrique des nations de gymnastique, jeudi dernier au Caire.>>Read more …
Teenager Wieber wins debut meet at American Cup February 21, 2009 (Universal Sports): The USA’s Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich., and Germany’s Fabian Hambuechen won the all-around titles at the 2009 Tyson American Cup in front of a crowd of 6,388 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.  >> Read more … and see also New York Times
Ivan the Incredible a master gymnast February 20, 2009 (Geelong Advertiser): His name is Ivan Elliott but he is known on the Masters Games gymnastic circuit as Ivan the Incredible. The 80-year-old is the oldest person currently registered in the gymnastics at the Games, which begin today. With the help of coach Ken Mooney, Elliott has shown off his inner gymnast at Masters events for the past 20 years. The Adelaide resident began competing at the games as a 60-year-old and is confident he will not throw in the cape any time soon. Quite the opposite, Elliott is looking for a competitor to challenge him at the 12th Australian Masters Games in Geelong. >> Read more …
Downie hoping for bumper year February 20, 2009 (Sporting Life): Olympian Becky Downie will return to top international gymnastics competition on Saturday hoping to build on her performance from Beijing over the coming months. Downie, who achieved Britain's best Olympic gymnastics all-around result when she finished 12th in the individual competition last August, will be part of an eight-woman invitational field at America's top international meet - the Tyson American Cup in Chicago.  >> Read more …
Ukrainian Gymnastics Facing Financial Crisis February 20, 2009 (International Gymnast): Ukraine's 2009 season is at risk due to a lack of funding, the president of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation announced Friday. Budget cuts likely mean Ukraine's artistic and rhythmic gymnasts will be unable to participate in any World Cup events this year, president Viktor Korzh said during a press conference. Ukraine's presence at the European Championships also is unsure, Korzh said.  >> Read more …
* SPORTS WORLD
Chicago 2016 Launches Green Drive February 27, 2009 (The Sport Briefing): The Climate Group, in collaboration with Chicago 2016 and the City of Chicago, has launched Forward Chicago, a public-private partnership that engages leading area businesses and local, non-profit organisations. By bringing together the resources and expertise of the public and private communities, Forward Chicago is seeking to help the city achieve its greenhouse-gas emissions reduction targets, “green” the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and leave an environmental legacy for all Chicago residents. >> Read more …
Barbara Slater appointed new Director of BBC Sport February 25, 2009 (BBC): Peter Salmon, BBC Director, North, has today, Wednesday 25 February 2009, announced the appointment of Barbara Slater as the new Director of BBC Sport. Slater is currently Head of Sport Production for BBC and one of Britain's most experienced producers.  >> Read more …
Indian Commonwealth Games preparations criticised February 25, 2009 (International Sportbusiness): Preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have been criticised for delays and a lack of co-ordination by a panel of Indian lawmakers. The Press Trust of India (PTI) reports that Sitaram Yechury, a federal lawmaker and chairman of a parliamentary panel on transport, tourism and culture, said, “The 2010 Games are drawing near and so many projects are yet to be initiated, let alone being completed.  >> Read more …
WADA's work tests positive February 24, 2009 (Sport Features): The ultimate success of world sport’s fight against doping rests on increasingly effective co-operation between sport, governments and the pharmaceutical industry. That was the core message of a positive, 10th-birthday report delivered by John Fahey, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, at a symposium at the Olympic Museum.  >> Read more …
WADA stands firm on athletes' whereabouts rules February 24, 2009 (Reuters): Controversial anti-doping rules requiring athletes to state their location for an hour every day will need at least a year to "bed in," the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Tuesday. "We're eight weeks into this and I don't know of anyone who has missed a test yet," WADA president John Fahey said of the new rules that came into effect on January 1.   >> Read more …
Interview - Doping-EU regulator wants 'whereabouts' rule on hold February 21, 2009 (Reuters): The EU's top sports regulator called on Saturday for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to suspend a rule requiring athletes to give detailed schedules of their whereabouts for drug testing while he examines it. Top athletes such as tennis world number one Rafa Nadal and Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva, have criticised the "whereabouts" rule under which they have to give three month's notice of where they will be for an hour a day. >> Read more …