GymCan Resources
World Gymnaestrada
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.