FIG VP: Gymnastics in Azerbaijan demonstrates phenomenal growth [PHOTO]

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

The five-day Intercontinental Judges’ Courses in Artistic Gymnastics of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) successfully ended in Baku.

Being held for the first time in Azerbaijan’s capital, these courses are held once in an Olympic cycle. They provide an opportunity to get the first judging category.

Baku perfectly organized the FIG Intercontinental Judges’ Courses, said Natalia Kuzmina, a technical director and head of the FIG Technical Committee for Rhythmic Gymnastics.

“The courses were organized at a high level, and on behalf of the FIG, I would like to thank the entire organizing committee, headed by Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Farid Gayibov, and also express my gratitude to the Federation’s leadership for their excellent work,” she told reporters in Baku.

Kuzmina said the judges took a course of lectures for three and a half days, they were explained the rules of the competition, and an exam was held on January 21.

She added that the results of the judicial exams will be announced in the coming days. “On the basis of these courses, the judges will receive licenses for the entire Olympic cycle of four years. The results are not known yet,” Kuzmina explained.

FIG First vice-president Slava Corn, in turn, said that over the past ten years, the Azerbaijani gymnastics demonstrated phenomenal growth.

Several competitions were held in Azerbaijan and this turned the country into a major sporting nation, according to her.

Corn appreciated the level of organization of the FIG Intercontinental Judges courses in Baku.

"I attended three Intercontinental judges' course and can say that in Baku they were organized at the best level. The conditions in the hotel, transport of judges - everything was at a high level,” said the vice-president.

Absolute rhythmic gymnastics world champion Anna Bessonova, who also participated in the courses, said that Azerbaijan, as always, organized another sporting event at a high level.

Last time she visited Baku as a gymnast, and now returned as a judge.

"Over the years, gymnastics rules have changed. And I think that they changed dramatically. Now athletes need to show the character of the music, but we also had a big load and had to show more elements. I prefer the new rules, and I envy the young generation," said the world champion.