Highlights of #GAGF2026

The 10^th edition of the Golden Age Gym Festival, Europe’s Gymnastics for All festival aimed at gymnasts of 50 years old and more, brought together 2026 participants from 21 countries in the beautiful French coastal town Les Sables d’Olonne.

From 4 to 9 October, the Golden Age spirit shone bright over Les Sables d’Olonne, with the weather gods lending a helping hand. From the street parade and the spectacular Opening Ceremony on day 1 over the city orienteering, the workshops and the signature city performances, to the mesmerising Closing Gala, this edition more than delivered.

Here are our highlights …

 

Sunny Street parade

With the sun out to welcome the participants, and the Atlantic Ocean providing a pretty backdrop, the gymnasts walked from Les Atlantes, the Golden Age hub, over the main promenade and through the city centre to show the citizens and tourists what joy gymnastics can bring. Escorted by marching bands, the delegations danced, sang and wowed the crowd.

Welcome to France

A spectacular Opening Ceremony well and truly kicked off the festive week! And it put the spotlight on the organising country, France, with a true homage to the history and traditions of the host nation. Themed around the revolution, we witnessed performances highlighting French culture, cuisine and architecture, accompanied by the best of the country’s music.

 

International Friendship

Introduced at the previous edition in 2022, the ‘buddy system’ continued: each group got linked to a group of similar size of another country. The groups could then meet up, exchange gifts and information about their country, and attend social activities together. A recipe for success!

Closing on a high

The swansong of each Golden Age Gym Festival is the Gala and Closing Ceremony. 11 groups got selected before the event while 4 were added on site courtesy of our Technical Committee due to a fabulous effort during the city performances. The gala showed off the very best of what Golden Age has to offer, and all spectators thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done!

Beach time

Each morning, participants were invited to join a relaxing physical wake-up on the beach. Simply the best way to get ready for an exciting day. Furthermore, the majority of the workshops also took place on Les Sables d’Olonne’s beautiful main beach, offering a compact solution in the most stunning and memorable setting.

Firing up the City

An essential part of each Golden Age Gym Festival, all groups get to show off their routine twice over the course of 4 afternoons, spread over 3 locations in town. Witnessed by fans, family, friends, other participants and passers-by, these City Performances bring visibility to the event and spread the love for gymnastics in specific, and movement and a healthy lifestyle in general. Oh, and it’s fun too!

Mentoring by example

The two participants of this year’s mentor programme, Dom Elsom (GBR) and Henk Krols (NED), joined the event to witness first-hand how this Gymnastics for All festival is oganised and experienced. Led by mentor Maria Stahl (SWE) and assisted by our Technical Committee, the duo explored the many activities ad discussed their country’s options and development plans extensively.

A big MERCI to the French Gymnastics Federation and its Local Organising Committee for the excellent organisation! More than 2000 participants returned home with nothing but the fondest memories, for Les Sables d’Olonne, for the event, and for the entire experience!