Saturday - World Gymnaestrada - Final Day:The FIG-Gala - and the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium

"We met the Magic!"
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* fig---: Although the skies smiled once again on the Pontaise Olympic Stadium, when spectators and the 19,100 participants at the 14th World Gymnaestrada gathered for the final act at the Closing Ceremony, there was already a feeling of nostalgia in Lausanne as it was time to say goodbye.
With a full week of wonderful gymnastic performances as well as a celebration of friendship and cultural diversity now behind us, it is no exaggeration to say that the World Gymnaestrada has touched our hearts once again.
This exceptional event united gymnasts of all ages and fitness levels from all corners of the planet in their passion for their sport, bringing amazing energy to the host city and creating a festive atmosphere throughout the week.

14. WORLD GYMNAESTRADA 2011
SPIETH Gymnastic - Official Supplier of WG-2011,
supported all the GYMmedia-Reports
* From Lausanne: GYMmedia correspondent Achim SCHAEFER

Africa was dancing ...!

Parting sweet sorrow for World Gymnaestrada
July 16th, 2011
- the final report of F.I.G
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Exactly six days and one hour after the official opening of this World Gymnaestrada, the Closing Ceremony got underway at the same place where it all started with the participants taking this ultimate opportunity to show and share their passion with their fellow gymnasts on the 2011 World Gymnaestrada stage.

The show included large group performances by Japan, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Denmark, the Pan-American countries, Slovakia and Switzerland, representing a world tour.
One of the highlights was the colourful and joyful display by the South African gymnasts in their elaborate costumes, who roused the public into rhythmic clapping. The South Africans were highly conspicuous all week, dancing and singing everywhere they went and spreading incredible energy.

In his closing speech Hanspeter Tschopp, President of the Swiss Gymnastics Federation, congratulated the gymnasts on their presentations and thanked them for their participation. He also praised the hard work of the numerous volunteers, and in various languages he invited everyone to meet up in Helsinki in four years’ time.
Looking back on an extraordinary week, Marc Vuilleumier, President of the World Gymnaestrada 2011 Association, shared some of his magical memories of an event that brought a breeze of good vibrations to Lausanne and moved the whole city.
A proud host, he wished all the best to Helsinki 2015.
While the Mexican wave, asymbolic of the enthusiasm of the World Gymnaestrada family, made its way around the stadium again and again FIG President Prof Bruno Grandi gave his closing speech, thanking the organisers, gymnasts and volunteers for their determination and passion. We then saw the official 2011 World Gymnaestrada flash mob dance again, ...

... before the event ended with the formal act of the handing over of the FIG flag from the Lausanne Organising Committee President, François-Daniel Golay, to Kirsti Partanen, President of the Helsinki 2015 Organising Committee.
To the delight of all involved the weather was very kind throughout the week, adding to the whole World Gymnaestrada experience; but, as if the skies were also sad, light rain started falling just as the ceremony came to a close and the gymnasts headed home.
See you all in 2015 in Helsinki! "Make the Earth move!"
* Source: f i g

Handover the FIG-Flag: from the Lausanne Organising Committee President, François-Daniel Golay, to Kirsti Partanen, President of the Helsinki 2015 Organising Committee.

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... and at the Evening before:
On Friday evening the F.I.G Gala was once again a absolutely highlight of these gymnaestrada days.
The Island "Figuerra" was the location for an international magic of these gala ...

Japan (photo above: the Nittaidai Gymnastics Club) Brazil, Chile, Danmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Rep. of South Africa and the USA presented in 21 different performances under the Gymnaestrada motto 'Meet the Magic'.

Von Akrobatik und Bodenturnen über Gymnastik und Tanz bis hin zu Tumbling, Schaukelringturnen und Rope Skipping gaben die Gruppen aus den 16 Nationen starke Darbietungen zum Besten.

Präzision, Synchronität und Beweglichkeit verpackt in bunten Kostümen und fantasievollen Choreographien sorgten für starke, rasante und überraschende Darbietungen, welche die Zuschauer/-innen in der ausverkauften «Malley»-Halle mit viel Applaus belohnten.
* Quelle: stv

* PRESS
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