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Baku, Azerbaijan, May 4
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
In the recent years Azerbaijan has started to play an important role in the world of gymnastics, Jani Tanskanen, member of the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) Executive Committee, told reporters in Baku May 4.
He reminded that Azerbaijan has hosted many events, competitions and meetings, and it is appreciated all over the world.
“Of course, the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation is quite young and it is amazing what you have achieved in the last 10 years. Especially, I want to say thank you for very well organizing many of the events. Gymnastics community is thankful for that,” he said.
Tanskanen said he is aware that the current president of the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG) is stepping down and an election will take place this year.
He said he believes the UEG needs a strong leadership and then it will have a bright future.
Further commenting on the nomination of Farid Gaibov, secretary general of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF), for the post of the UEG president, Tanskanen said constantly developing the gymnastics and taking it to another level is the best possible outcome he can see from any candidate.
“The person who is elected [as UEG president], I believe, will be elected based on the competence and the work done,” he said.
Touching upon the FIG Executive Committee meeting, held in Baku, he said the decisions and issues that will affect the development of gymnastics in the world are mulled there.
“It is an interesting time because we entered a new Olympic cycle and we have some new rules,” he said. “We want to clarify some rules. Those have direct impact on the gymnasts and coaches all over the world. We will try to do our best to make final decisions.”