FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
Letter from the President
Nr 52
By Prof. Bruno Grandi, FIG President August 2011
Socialisation through sport
The magic of Lausanne's World Gymnaestrada produced epic moments that neither participant nor
spectator is soon to forget. For a full week we were captivated by what gymnastics considers its
most precious commodity: the men and women who make up the historical bedrock of the FIG; the
very foundation of our pyramid.
I have had previous opportunities to speak on the philosophy held by our founder Nicolas Cupérus,
a man who resisted all form of individualistic competition. And though Man is at the centre of his
concept, it is important that we understand that his is a humanistic view and not a perpetual quest
for better performance.
Sport unites people. It brings them together in a stadium, an ice rink, in a gymnastics hall all
places where we come to share in an expression of passion or sheer entertainment. But sport can
also divide, and when that happens the outcome can be treacherous. Sport can exacerbate ego-
and ethno-centricity; it can turn men against men; at times it can kill.
What is important to keep in mind is that competitive activity has been known to stray from its
original ideal, which ultimately contributes to certain aberrations in sport, such as doping and
violence. And that's not all. Idleness, precariousness and greed begin to play a major role, often
giving rise to conflict. In the tradition of Karl Marx and his concept of religion, sport is the new
opium. Fortunately, I am proud to say that such extreme situations are unknown in the world of
competitive gymnastics.
But what makes me the most proud is being able to offer a unique sporting activity to our gymnasts
and fans that is both playful and physically demanding, but which forgoes man's natural impulse to
win. The Gymnaestrada not only brings people together, it unites humanity as a whole.
Gymnastics for All, our discipline par excellence, is an important factor in the socialisation of a
community, and it is our calling to cultivate and export it.
Lausanne is the Olympic capital of the world, the very birthplace of the Movement, and the city has
armed itself with everything needed by a leading sport. For an entire week, the FIG and its
gymnasts spread good cheer, joie de vivre and a spirit of tolerance throughout the city. Urbi and
orbi.
It is up to us to prolong and cultivate the "Gymnastic" truce until the day that Helsinki picks up the
baton in 2015.
With my compliments.
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FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE