International Gymnastics Federation facts for kids
Logo
|
|
| Abbreviation | FIG |
|---|---|
| Formation | 23 July 1881 |
| Founded at | Liège, Belgium |
| Headquarters | Avenue de la Gare 12 |
| Location |
|
|
Region served
|
Worldwide |
|
President
|
Morinari Watanabe |
| Affiliations | Longines, VTB, Cirque du Soleil |
|
Revenue (2019)
|
US$17.32 million |
| Expenses (2019) | US$16.19 million |
The International Gymnastics Federation (often called FIG, from its French name Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique) is the main group that controls all types of gymnastics competitions around the world. Its main office is in Lausanne, Switzerland.
FIG was started on July 23, 1881, in Liège, Belgium. This makes it the oldest international sports organization still around today. At first, it was called the European Federation of Gymnastics. Only three countries were members: Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. In 1921, countries from outside Europe could join, and that's when it got its current name.
The FIG creates the rules for how gymnasts are scored. These rules are known as the Code of Points. The FIG is in charge of seven different gymnastics sports:
- Artistic gymnastics (which includes men's and women's artistic gymnastics)
- Rhythmic gymnastics
- Aerobic gymnastics
- Acrobatic gymnastics
- Trampolining (which includes Double mini trampoline and tumbling)
- Parkour
The federation also decides how old gymnasts must be to compete in the Olympics.
After some world events in 2022, the FIG stopped Russian athletes and officials from taking part in its events. It also cancelled all FIG World Cup events that were planned for Russia.
Contents
How the FIG is Organized
The main groups that run the FIG are the president, vice presidents, and a big meeting called the Congress. This meeting happens every two years. There's also an Executive Committee, a Council, and special committees for each type of gymnastics.
As of 2023, 161 national gymnastics groups were part of the FIG. There are also five larger groups that cover different parts of the world:
- European Union of Gymnastics (UEG)
- Pan-American Gymnastic Union (PAGU)
- Asian Gymnastic Union (AGU)
- African Gymnastics Union (UAG)
- Oceania Gymnastics Union (OGU)
More than 30,000 athletes take part in FIG-approved events across all the sports. About 70% of these athletes are girls and women.
Leaders of the FIG
Here is a list of the people who have been president of the FIG:
| Period | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1881–1924 | Nicolaas Cupérus |  Belgium |
| 1924–1933 | Charles Cazalet |  France |
| 1933–1946 | Adam Zamoyski |  Poland |
| 1946–1956 | Goblet d’Alviella | Belgium |
| 1956–1966 | Charles Thoeni |  Switzerland |
| 1966–1976 | Arthur Gander | Switzerland |
| 1976–1996 | Yuri Titov |  Soviet Union Russia |
| 1996–2016 | Bruno Grandi |  Italy |
| January 2017– | Morinari Watanabe |  Japan |
Morinari Watanabe has been the president of the organization since 2017.
Major Gymnastics Competitions
The FIG organizes many important gymnastics competitions. Some of the biggest ones include:
- World Gymnastics Championships
- World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
- World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
- Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships
- Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships
- World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships
- Parkour World Championships
- World Cup series
- Artistic Gymnastics World Cup
- Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup
- Trampoline World Cup
- Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup
- Aerobic Gymnastics World Cup
- Parkour World Cup
- World Challenge Cup series
- Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup
- Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup
Other official FIG competitions are:
- Olympic Games
- Youth Olympic Games
- World Games
- Junior World Gymnastics Championships
- Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
- Junior World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
- World Age Group Competitions
Age Rules for Gymnasts
The FIG has rules about how old gymnasts must be to compete in top-level events. These rules are put in place to help protect young gymnasts.
See also
In Spanish: Federación Internacional de Gimnasia para niños
- Major achievements in gymnastics by nation
- International Trampoline Federation
