The World Gymnaestrada is a world-wide, non-competitive, FIG Gym for All event held every four years that attracts the largest number of active participants of any FIG event. Participation is for everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, culture, ability, or social standing.
The objectives of the World Gymnaestrada include:
Promoting the value and diversity of gymnastics;
Encouraging the growth of Gym for All worldwide;
Inspiring enjoyment in exercise and encouraging personal activity;
Demonstrating the unlimited possibilities of different ideas of Gym for All;
Bringing together gymnasts from the four corners of the globe as a contribution towards the friendship of nations; and
Presenting the diversity of gymnastics to a wider public.
The World Gymnaestrada program, which runs over 7 days, includes:
An opening ceremony
Indoor group performances
Large group performances
National evenings
A FIG gala
An educational forum
A closing ceremony
Check out highlights from World Gymnaestrada 2015:
Fast facts:
The World Gymnaestrada is the FIG's most significant international Gym for All event;
The World Gymnaestrada brings together more gymnasts than the Olympic Games (though granted, Olympic participation is limited.) 22,000 gymnasts participated in the 2011 World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne (SUI);
The first World Gymnaestrada took place in 1953, in Rotterdam (NED);
At the World Gymnaestrada, large groups should include 200 gymnasts, though many have 300 or even 400 gymnasts! Sometimes even more than 1,000. There are no limits;
Canada has participated in all but two of the World Gymnaestradas;
Canada’s teams in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015 have numbered 440, 538, 605, and 622 respectively.
Statistics:
World Gymnaestrada
Year
Location
Federations
Gymnasts
1953
Rotterdam (NED)
14
5,000
1957
Zagreb (YUG)
17
6,000
1961
Stuttgart (GER)
16
10,000
1965
Vienna (AUT)
26
15,600
1969
Bâle (SUI)
28
9,600
1975
Berlin (GER)
19
10,500
1982
Zurich (SUI)
22
14,200
1987
Herning (DEN)
26
17,300
1991
Amsterdam (NED)
30
19,500
1995
Berlin (GER)
34
19,300
1999
Gothenburg (SWE)
37
23,500
2003
Lisbon (POR)
45
21,600
2007
Dornbirn (AUT)
53
22,000
2011
Lausanne (SUI)
55
19,087
2015
Helsinki (FIN)
50
21,000
2019
Dornbirn (AUT)
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