PH READY FOR FIG WORLD EVENT

The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) is leaving no stone unturned as it prepares for an innovative hosting of the third FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships on Nov. 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom.

- By OLMIN LEYBA

The prestigious event, which has drawn a record-breaking number of participating nations and athletes, puts the spotlight on the country still on a high from ace gymnast Carlos Yulo’s historic golden double at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The GAP said delegates will start arriving by Nov. 14 and can expect a red-carpet treatment, no less. This early, some of them have already expressed interest to stay beyond Nov. 25 to enjoy the sights.

Adding star power to the event, GAP board member and actor Derek Ramsay will host the opening ceremony.

“We are going all out in our effort in the hosting of this huge international sporting competition featuring the world’s top junior gymnasts, a showcase for their skills and talent amid a lively, festive and warm atmosphere that only Filipinos are known for,” said GAP president Cynthia Carrion.

“The Philippines has a proven track record for staging memorable and impressive international competitions and the GAP, with the help of its partners, has also set the bar high to ensure that our hosting of the 3rd Junior World Championships will not only measure up but also even exceed expectations,” she added.

Carrion said the country’s credentials as an excellent host convinced the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) board, led by Japanese president Morinari Watanabe to bring the world junior gymnastics showcase here during its Congress in Doha in November 2024.

FIG Technical Officials Give Thumbs Up

The FIG’s top technical officials conducted a two-day ocular inspection last August and gave their stamp of approval on the GAP’s plans for the third edition of the competition that was first held in 2019 in Gyor, Hungary.