The International Gymnastics Federation is evolving its structure. On August 29, it announced the creation of 17 commissions and working groups. This is a way to gain efficiency and relevance. It is important that as many people as possible are directly involved with the FIG. ", assures the body. This new configuration above all gives a clear indication of the priorities of the president of the FIG, Morinari Watanabe.
Integrate the Paralympic Games and develop revenues
The establishment of a commission for paragymnastics is one of the main changes. It sends a clear message about gymnastics' intention to " become a Paralympic " writes the FIG. Surprisingly, gymnastics is indeed absent from the Paralympic Games. In October 2024, the FIG statutes were amended to include paragymnastics as a new competitive discipline. Around forty national federations were then interested in developing paragymnastics competitions according to the FIG. The working group dedicated to paragymnastics had been working on the creation of this commission for several months. The Federation also has economic ambitions. With the working group on innovation in competition, it states its objective of " reform the economic model of all events organized by the FIG ».
A first step has been announced: the development of a strategy this year for the next Olympic cycle, starting in 2029. The "Creation of a Marketing Company" working group will have to lay the foundations for a separate commercial branch of the FIG, responsible for managing all the federation's commercial interests. The objective of this working group is to develop a business plan by the end of the year. ", the press release states. The model has already proven itself in a number of IFs. Another working group, on new economic models for parkour, aims to " make parkour a source of income ", including changing the calendar and considering integrating beach parkour into the World Beach Games.
Establishing yourself in schools, a key issue
To strengthen the place of gymnastics, the FIG is counting on the working group on school curricula so that the sport is more present in schools. Gymnastics was once included in the school curricula of many countries ", notes the FIG, but " It has become an unattractive sport for teachers and children ", although she is " at the base of all sports ". The task force will therefore be tasked with improving the existing school gymnastics curriculum to make it more relevant to children and teachers, and disseminating it to schools around the world. At the other end of the chain, the working group on the aging of society will have to promote gymnastics as a solution to reduce social security costs. This group " will collaborate with doctors and artificial intelligence specialists to develop a business model ».
With a view to expanding into new territories, the working group on support for new and developing countries is working on the creation of a membership manual and a manual for new federations, with the goal of reaching the 200-member mark. It currently has 167. Issues related to transgender people, who are increasingly present within the Olympic Movement, will be addressed by the "Anti-Doping, Medical, and Mental Health" Commission. Also being created are the Gender Equality Commission; the Working Group on Fair Competitions; the Protection Commission (to combat harassment); and the Working Group on Statutes and Election Reform. Morinari Watanabe, re-elected as head of the FIG in October 2024, and his team are sending a promising signal here. Now, the results will be watched with interest!
