Athens, Greece
The program for the games stated that these are “the only Games in the world, where all participating athletes are Winners. Winners in their struggle for our respect in their diversity. Winners in their struggle for self-esteem. Winners in their struggle to defend their special abilities. “These were the first games without the presence of our founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She created these games where the “true value of competition” was born.
176 gymnasts participated in Men’s (81) and Women’s (95) Artistic Gymnastics and 105 Rhythmic Gymnastics participated, which was held in the Hellinikon Olympic Indoor Hall. Levels I- IV were offered in all competitions (men, women art. & rhythmic). Preliminaries were used to group the gymnasts into competition squads, based on score, for the finals.
The Technical Delegate for women was Kirsten Dunn, the TD for men was Jeff Kraft. The TD for rhythmic gymnastics was Cindy Bickman with Cindy Hoover as assistant TD. The Sports Manager for Gymnastics was Fotini Mellou, with Alexandra Kapogianni as assistant sport manager. The judges were from Greece and from the rest of the World.
Artistic Gymnastics had podium training Sat the 25 for men and Sunday the 26th for women. The men’s competitions was held on the afternoon & evening of the 26th with finals on the morning and afternoon of the 28th. Women’s artistic competition was on the 27th with sessions in the morning, afternoon & evening. Women’s finals were held late on the 28th and in the morning of the 29th. Rhythmic had podium training on Wed the 29th in the evening, with competition on the 30th, 1st, 2nd. And 3rd. The Gym show was on the evening of the 3rd.
Artistic Gymnastics filmed for their Sports Skill Guide in the practice gym on the 30th, 1st, and 2nd. Kate Hickie headed up the project to film skills & drills for the new online coaches’ guide. Coaches & athletes from around the world participated. Artistic Gymnastics had a Coaches Clinic to introduce the new Compulsory routines, that will be used for the next 8 years on the 4th.
Rhythmic Gymnastics taught and performed a Rhythmic Group routine on the 4th.