Beijing (CHN) National Indoor Stadium, August 17 - 19, 2008: Parallel to the Games of the XXIXth Olympiad in Beijing 2008, the FIG Executive convened on three occasions under the presidency of Prof. Bruno Grandi. The members present unanimously agreed as to the impeccable organisation of the Games, quality installations, a warm reception and an incredible job on the part of both organisers and volunteers.
- The Athletes present in Beijing were invited to designate their Commission delegates for the new Olympic cycle. Trampoline re-elected Dimitry Poliarush (BLR) to his function. For Rhythmic, candidates are Natalia Godunko (UKR), Vera Sessina (RUS) and Dinara Gimatova (AZE). The election will take place on Sunday August 24. Aerobic named Ana Macanita (POR). Acrobatic will make public its decision in September at the worlds in Glasgow (GBR). For Artistic, two representatives will be designated at the 2009 worlds.
- The new FIG head office opened its doors in Lausanne on July 7, 2008. The staff has been replenished to meet the Federation's growing needs. One person will handle the medical department exclusively.
- The Presidential Office and the Statutes Commission will meet to put the finishing touches on the final version of the General Regulations and specific regulations.
- The European Gymnastics Union (UEG) has added a qualifying competition for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to its competitions programme. The premier edition of the Games is set for 2010 in Singapore.
- The General Assembly of the African Gymnastics Union (UAG) will be held in November in Cairo (EGY).
- The Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU) will be staging Aerobic Gymnastics competitions for the first time ever. The event will be held in Thailand in December of 2008.
- The IOC will be carrying out 108 anti-doping controls in gymnastics. In full support of the IOC, the FIG deplores the actions of the Vietnamese gymnast who tested positive for furosemide. The case has been referred to the FIG Disciplinary Commission.
- The FIG will draw the attention of its affiliated federations to the new WADA Code (World Anti-doping Agency), which comes into force as of January 1, 2009. President Grandi emphasises the importance of the fight against any form of cheating, but warns authorities to avoid criminalising athletes without distinction.
- The new FIG website is in its test phase. A microsite was made available for coverage of Olympic gymnastic events.
- The FIG responded to press criticism fuelled by the doubtful age of certain Chinese gymnasts. President Grandi intends to accelerate the introduction of a license for any gymnast wishing to participate in gymnastics. The concept was accepted by the Council in May of this year.
- The future director of the Olympic gymnastic competitions in London 2012, Matthew Greenwood, also the Technical Director of British Gymnastics, has announced that the 2009 Artistic World Championships will be held at the venue which will house the Olympic competitions.
The intercontinental judges courses for the 2009 - 2012 cycle are set as follows:
MAG Leipzig (GER), December 1 - 7, 2008
WAG Bratislava (SVK), January 19 - 26, 2009
RG Minsk (BLR), November 23 - 30, 2008
TRA Bratislava (SVK), February 3 - 8, 2009
AER Beijing (CHN), January 13 - 19, 2009
ACRO Ruit (GER), November 18 - 22, 2008
