Incumbent FIG President Prof. Bruno Grandi (ITA) is a candidate for reelection at the FIG General Assembly, October 25 – 27, 2012 in Cancun (MEX).
He will solicit votes from the 130 national affiliated federations for a fifth mandate.
Bruno Grandi was first elected in August 1996 at the 70th Congress in Atlanta (USA). He succeeded Yuri Titov of Russia after a twenty-year reign.
When asked about his reasons for running, Prof. Grandi casts back to his age of seventy-seven, hoping to leverage his experience in sports to bring numerous projects to fruition. “This will be my last mandate!” announced the President, with a nod to the international gymnastics community. “But before I take my leave, there are several issues that need my attention, and I am committed to finishing what I started.”
According to statute, candidates for the 2012 elections must file for office at the FIG Secretariat by May 21, 2012 midnight, at the latest.
LETTER FROM BRUNO GRANDI
LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, December 2, 2011:
Friends,
I have decided to run for re-election at the FIG General Assembly in Cancun (MEX), October 25 – 27, 2012. I will solicit the votes of the 130 national affiliated federation delegates for a fifth mandate.
My decision is the product of long consideration. A fifth term is the logical continuation of a mandate that the Atlanta Congress first issued to me in 1996 when I succeeded Yuri Titov after a twenty-year reign. Historians will remember that he and I ran against one another in the memorable elections of 1992 in Salou (ESP), in which my friend Titov reclaimed office by a single vote!
It is no mystery that I am getting along in years. At the age of seventy-seven, I hope to leverage my experience in sports to bring numerous projects to fruition. This will be my last mandate. But before I take my leave, there are several issues that need my attention, and I am committed to finishing what I started. I am both pugnacious and consistent.
Among the issues at hand is the debate surrounding eligibility to be part of the technical authorities; members must be in possession of a category I or II judge and level III coach brevet as of 2013. It is my responsibility to provide our sport and our gymnasts with individuals who are both trained and competent. It is a credibility issue. Other topics include development, solidarity and promotion of gymnasts in underprivileged countries. Gymnastics cannot fall into the trap of catering to wealthy countries. We must reach higher, we must strive for universality. Such is the Olympic ideal, and the justice I hold dear.
But the most ambitious project by far is that of competition reform within the Marketing project. Our product needs to be streamlined; and to keep our competitions attractive for sponsors and the public, it has been found imperative to review our Codes of Points.
Since the day I first took office I have laboured toward attracting more attention to our sport. Gymnastics needs to simplify the rules, give a face lift to its formats and speak in terms that Generation Y can understand. This is imperative. My experience has taught me that success is a passing thing and that what we achieve today must be pursued tomorrow; fundamental truth!
With these things completed, I will be able to hand the keys of the FIG over to my successor knowing that I have finished the job.
With my warmest wishes for an excellent New Year 2012,
FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
Prof Bruno Grandi, President