20. April 2010  
Sogamoso, Columbia  
Sport Aerobics

FIG Academy Level 1 for Aerobic Gymnastics in Columbia

Experts of FIG Academy

*f i g : --  Colombia hosted the 11th Academy for Aerobic Gymnastics in Sogamoso (COL) during the second week of April 2010. This Academy was conducted specifically for the Spanish speaking countries of the Americas. The attendance of the coaches from the Spanish speaking federations of the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) was partially funded by the FIG Development Fund for PAGU. The last Spanish language Aerobics Academy was held three years ago in 2007 in Mexico. This Academy was attended by 20 coaches from ten different federations: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Members of the Aerobic Course in Columbia
(C) photo: F I G

The course leader was Andrea Joāo of Brazil who has served as expert at a number of Academies for Artistic Gymnastics and who was also an Aerobics competitor in the past. She taught most of the theory lectures and was accompanied by Sergio García Alcázar of Spain who is a member of the FIG Technical Committee for Aerobic Gymnastics, Ignacio Marrón, the Spanish Technical Director and Irma Santibañez, the Technical Director from Chile.
The highest results were achieved by Natalia Balarezo of Peru who managed an impressive 94% average over the two practical and one theoretical examination.
Not far behind were Katia Lemos of Brazil and Alba Tulia Gutierrez Ramirez of Mexico.
Special thanks must go to the Colombia Gymnastics Federation for hosting this Academy with a very high standard especially after having had to postpone it from last year.
The President of the Colombia Gymnastic Federation, Juan Navor Medina López, was present throughout most of the Academy to assure that all things were taken care of.
Thanks also to his team of assistants and to the gymnasts who worked diligently every day to help make this academy a success.

... more FIG dates:

* Aerobic Gymnastics
will have a number of other Academies during 2010:
- a level 2 Academy in Portugal (July 25 - August 1);
- a level 1 Academy in Finland  (August 24 - 31);
- a level 3 Academy in China     (November 8 - 15); and
- a level 2 Academy in South Africa (Nov 30 - Dec 7).
   Confirmed already for 2011 is
- a level 2 Academy in Vietnam (February 21 - 28).
** Source: fig press release, 2010, April 20