The 85th Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) officially began in Doha, welcoming over 500 delegates from 157 countries. The three-day event gathers representatives from national gymnastics federations across the globe. The opening session was attended by Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and FIG President Morinari Watanabe. Ali Al Hitmi, First Vice President of FIG and President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, expressed his pride in the record-breaking participation at this year’s Congress, highlighting Qatar’s key contributions to the growth of gymnastics globally.
Sara Khalid Nasser Al Mesnad, Assistant Director of International Cooperation and Communication at the Qatar Olympic Committee, welcomed the delegates and emphasized Qatar’s role as a global sporting hub. She praised the dedication of Qatar’s leaders and administrators in supporting the future of gymnastics on a global scale. FIG President Morinari Watanabe commended Qatar for hosting the Congress and acknowledged Doha’s integral role in promoting gymnastics on the world stage. He also praised Doha’s standing as a premier global sports capital.
Today, delegates will vote on electing FIG’s new governing bodies, including the President, Vice-Presidents, Executive Committee members, Council members, and Technical Committees for each of FIG’s seven disciplines, including a new Technical Committee for Parkour. The Congress will welcome five new national gymnastics federations, potentially bringing the total number of FIG-affiliated federations to 164. Delegates will also hear reports from the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation and the FIG Foundation for Solidarity, along with updates on safeguarding measures, good governance, and insights from the new National Federation-Insights project.
The event in Doha marks a pivotal moment for the sport of gymnastics, with decisions made at the Congress shaping the future of the sport for years to come. Qatar’s commitment to supporting the sport’s future through hosting events and the dedication of its leaders is evident. The collaboration between Qatar and FIG, including the annual hosting of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, highlights Doha’s support for promoting gymnastics on a global scale. The Congress will play a significant role in determining the direction of gymnastics worldwide.
Overall, the 85th FIG Congress in Doha brings together representatives from around the world to discuss and make decisions on the future of gymnastics. With Qatar playing a key role in hosting the event and supporting the growth of the sport, the Congress is set to positively impact the global gymnastics community. The election of new governing bodies, welcoming of new national federations, and updates on various initiatives will shape the landscape of gymnastics for years to come. The event highlights the importance of international collaboration and commitment to the development of gymnastics on a global scale.
