The President's Note N° 9 - September 2025

Dear Gymnastics community

I hope that you enjoyed a great summer and are well rested and completely energised to step into the next month!

While we have a short break before our next European Championships, the spotlight turned to the global arena, harnessing energy, awe and support worldwide for our incredible gymnasts. During 17 days of competition, our office neighbours of the World Games Association hosted an exceptional edition of the World Games in Chengdu (CHN). As the most important competition for non-Olympic sports, held every four years, these Games enjoy significant exposure for many gymnastics disciplines. On the programme this edition: Acrobatic Gymnastics, Aerobics, Trampoline represented by synchro, tumbling and double-mini trampoline, and Parkour. With titles for Portugal, Belgium, Great Britain, Ukraine, Spain, Israel, Hungary, Sweden and Switzerland, 18 European countries made it onto the podium. My heartfelt congratulations goes out to each and everyone of them.

Another event that turned heads last month: the first World Championships of this year were held. It was Rhythmics’ time to shine in the iconic Brazilian town of Rio de Janeiro! In a colourful arena, packed with enthusiastic fans, Olympic Champion Darja Varfolomeev managed to successfully defend her all-around crown. In fact, the German superstar added 4 individual titles to her collection and 1 team gold, making it an impressive 9 individual titles in just 2 editions of the World Championships! Sofia Raffaeli returned to the top step again too while Ukraine closed out the event with a World title of their own in the mixed apparatus final. Well done to hosts Brazil too, winning their first ever medals.

Summer also means training camps. Two more were held in August by our Technical Committees and experts. Acrobatic Gymnastics met in Kranevo (BUL) while Men’s Artistic Gymnastics gathered in Thessaloniki (GRE). The abundance of smiles after hours of practice combined with social activities and soaking up the sun makes these camps an unforgettable experience for our talented young athletes. Learning from experts, and from each other, in a fun and relaxed environment is the best way to keep them motivate and eager. I’m sure we’ll see many of these gymnasts again at one of our competitions in a few years.

This September, we’ll meet with the TeamGym apparatus suppliers and the Gymnastics for All Technical Committee of European Gymnastics organises the Educational Long Weekend in the Estonian capital Tallinn, all while we eagerly anticipate the European Championships in Aerobic Gymnastics which will include the U15 category for the first time, and the World Championships in Artistic and Trampoline Gymnastics. 

----------------------------------

With my warmest regards

Dr. Farid Gayibov