FIG Foundation grants 60,000 francs

Lausanne (SUI), July 17, 2012: The FIG Foundation has approved proposals advanced by its working group mandated to attribute scholarships to gymnasts for 2012. According to the rules, each FIG discipline on the Olympic programme (Men’s and Women’s Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics) shall receive three CHF 5,000 grants, a total allocation of CHF 60,000, for 2012. Fourteen affiliated federations representing the four FIG Continental Unions submitted a total of twenty-seven applications.

Every application meets the validation criteria, which stipulates notably that only federations with insufficient economic means but having fulfilled all their financial obligations are eligible, and that gymnasts having obtained encouraging results and showing signs of promising talent alone will be considered. Case by case evaluations are made by recognized FIG technicians.

FIG aid provides gymnasts with an opportunity to follow gymnastic courses or pursue an education at home or abroad, providing the targeted country is in possession of adequately equipped installations and agrees to host the athlete.

The mission of the FIG Foundation is to promote, assist and show solidarity to members of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), notably individuals with particular athletic or administrative merit. It funds scientific research aimed at safeguarding the health of gymnasts, and assists struggling countries to develop gymnastics nationwide, maintain a high-level gymnastic culture and help children and adults in need of gymnastic activity to improve their quality of life.

Founded in 2002 by the General Assembly in Athens (GRE), the FIG Foundation is chaired by Mr William J. Hybl (USA), President and CEO of the El Pomar Federation (USA), and counts six members: Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA), FIG President; Jani Tanskanen (FIN), FIG Athletes Commission President; Hidenori Futagi (JPN), Japan Gymnastics Association President; Prof. Paolo Parisi (ITA), Director of the Department of Human Biology at the University of Rome; Walter von Kaenel (SUI), President of Longines Watch Co., Francillon SA; and Sabet Mounir (EGY), IOC Member. —– FIG

Bourses d’études / Scholarships 2012: http://www.fig-docs.com/Media/pdf/Scholarships%202012%20list-E.pdf