23rd UEG Congress in Tel Aviv:
Georges Guelzec FRA new president

he ballot boxes of the General Assembly in Tel Aviv-Yafo have delivered their verdict. In the second round, 24 delegates of 47 have given their vote to Georges Guelzec. The President Dimitrios Dimitropoulos has received 22 votes, as in the first round. The UEG counts five new honorary members.

The General Assembly of the 23rd UEG Congress was held on the 6th and 7th of November in the exposition and congress centre of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The congress was organised by the Gymnastics Federation of Israel and the UEG secretariat. The 47 member federations of the UEG were present.

Approval of the annual reports and the accounts for the years 2007-2008

During the first day, the delegates have treated all administrative matters. The president in charge has completed his report resuming some essential points and presenting his programme for the coming years, as he is candidate for re-election. The presidents of the eight technical committees have also completed their written reports for the same period by updating them with the latest events. Paul Garber, 1st vice-president in charge of the finances, has presented the accounts 2007 and 2008 which close with a profit (2007) and a modest deficit (2008) for a global turnover of almost 1’400'000 CHF.

Based on the verification of the accounts 2007 and 2008, the Control Authority recommends the approval of the accounts and to give discharge to the Executive Committee. The assembly approves these recommendations. The budget 2009 as well as the previsions for the budget 2010 show a light surplus of income.

The delegates of the federations have then been informed on the recent decision of the Executive Committee following a proposal of the Federation of Sweden; the TeamGym Championship becomes a “European TeamGym Championship” and the juniors are included in these European Championships as from 2010 on.

Debates regarding a candidacy

The only matter of discussion of this first day referred to the candidacy of President Dimitropoulos and his re-election. The Hellenic Federation had, due to internal problems, refused to present him has a candidate. It is the Federation of Moldova, of which he is member as well, that submitted his candidacy in due time and according to the UEG statutes in force. However, this way of proceeding is contested by some federations and by the FIG, as it doesn’t correspond to its own statutes, which came into force in January 2009.

These last days, the Federation of Moldova has itself been confronted with internal conflicts. The “new” Federation of Moldova withdraws the candidacy and the status of member of D. Dimitropoulos. This candidacy for the UEG Presidency having also been presented in the correct deadline by two other federations of which D. Dimitropoulos is honorary member, the federation of Macedonia (FYROM) confirms that they intends to maintain this candidacy. It was agreed that the elections of Saturday will decide. “I will accept the decision of the Assembly according to democracy“, concludes D. Dimitropoulos.

Elections: Georges Guelzec FRA elected to the presidency with two votes ahead

Before opening the elections, the representative of the “new” national federation of Moldova has asked to obtain the right to vote. Without wishing to interfere in internal conflicts, the Assembly decided however that Moldova has the right to vote. Consequently, there are indeed 47 federations entitled to vote.

The day before, the General Assembly had approved the admission of the late additional nominations for the TC GfA and the CA.

Election of the President
Three candidates: Dimitrios Dimitropoulos MKD, Georges Guelzec FRA and Ivan Levak SLO. In the first ballot D. Dimitropoulos obtained 22 votes, G. Guelzec 20 and I. Levak 4. In the second ballot, G. Guelzec obtained 24 votes, D. Dimitropoulos 22 and I. Levak 0. The French Georges Guelzec is elected President of the UEG for the period 2010-2013.

Elections of the Vice-Presidents
Five candidatures were registered: Paul Garber GBR, Andras Szabo HUN (former), Malin Eggertz Forsmark SWE, Manuel Boa de Jesus POR and Ruedi Hediger SUI (new). Before the first round A. Szabo HUN withdraws his candidacy. Malin Eggertz Forsmark obtains 31 votes and is elected in the first round, R. Hediger and P. Garber are elected in the 2nd round.

Elections of the executive committee members (7)
Elected are: Iordan Iovtchev (BUL, new), Sylvio Kroll (GER, former) Andrey Rodionenko (RUS, new), Manuel Boa de Jesus (POR, former), Metin Sayin (TUR, former), Antonio Esteban Cerdan (ESP, former), Igor Korbochinskyi (UKR, former).

Election of the Control Authority
President: Paolo Frising LUX (former member)

Members: Roman Slavik CZE, Erkki Tervo FIN.

Election of the presidents of the technical committees
TC-President Men’s Artistic Gymnastics: Gianfranco Marzolla ITA
TC-President Women’s Artistic Gymnastics: Yvette Brasier FRA
TC-President Rhythmic Gymnastics: Heide Bruneder AUT
TC-President Trampoline: Erik Juhl Mogensen DEN
TC-President Aerobics: Cristina Casentini ITA
TC-President Acrobatics: Lawrence Colton GBR
TC-President Gymnastics for All: Detlef Mann GER
TC-President TeamGym: Keith Hughes GBR
(all former).

Distinctions and nomination of honorary members

After the elections, the General Assembly has awarded several distinctions according to the proposals submitted by the EC. These distinctions go to deserving members who have worked for many years and rendered great services to the UEG.

Bronze medal of recognition
Wieslawa Milewska POL (ACRO), Birna Björnsdottir ISL (GfA), Sonia Solismaa FIN (GfA), Svetlana Lukina RUS (AER), Norbert Müllmann GER (ACRO), Athanasios Ganasoulis GRE (Control Authority).

Silver medal of recognition:
Athanasia Charana GRE (RG), Erik Tyberg-Pedersen DEN (TeamGym).

Gold medal of recognition and UEG honorary member
Maria Teresa Nada ESP (RG 1997-2009), Daniela Delle Chiaie ITA (RG 1993-2008), Natalia Kouzmina RUS (RG 1993-2008), Stefan Bengtsson SWE (TeamGym 1996-2008) and Danielle Duchoud SUI (Head of press 1994-2009). The general assembly also decided to posthumously nominate Claus Haller SUI (MTC) (who passed away in May 2009) as honorary member.

Behind the scenes of the Congress

Even few persons can make a good job. The Gymnastics Federation of Israel has proved it. The small team masterfully led by Jacky Wischnia, also (re-elected) member of the MTC, has shown that a small federation, which perhaps wants to organise a European Championship in a near future, is very well able to host a congress.

Hotels well situated
To the great pleasure of the participants, the official hotel was situated on the seafront with a beautiful long promenade. Excellent food, comfortable rooms, a pool on the terrace on the 15th floor with a 360 ° view of Tel Aviv, not far from downtown.

Congress centre
Located approx. 10 minutes from the hotels, the assembly hall was completely installed, equipped and beautifully decorated in less than 24 hours! Outside, a park allowed making a few steps to stretch the legs. Only weak point: Internet access was initially limited to one then to two computers of the UEG; this is insufficient at the present time.

Memories of Munich 1972
On Saturday morning, the delegates of the UEG national federations have put down two wreaths on the monument erected in memory for the Israeli athletes killed at the Olympic Games in Munich. The future President of the UEG was, like other members of the authorities of the UEG or the NF, an athlete in Munich.

In Memoriam
At the beginning of the congress, the assembly honoured the honorary members and members of authorities or athletes who have left us forever by observing a minute of silence; among them the founder and honorary President Pierre Chabloz SUI, Dimitri Filonov AZE, Xaver Frick LIE, Boris Shakhlin UKR, Karl-Heinz Zschokke GER, Klaus Milbradt GER, Jesus Telo Nunez ESP, Manola Rosi ITA, MTC member Claus Haller SUI, Mihail Klimenko USSR, the young athletes Pierre Charilas FRA, Yuri Ryazanov RUS, Anastasia Golovitnina, Olga Gofman, Anna Maryna and their coach Svetlana Kushu (RUS).

Invited VIP
Mrs Limor Livnat Minister of Culture and Sports, Mr. Zvi Varshaviak NOC President of Israel, Mr. Peer Visner Vice Mayor of Tel Aviv – Yafo and the President of the NF of Israel Raanan Varshaviak have addressed the Assembly at the opening of Congress. 7 honorary members of the UEG and several members of the FIG authorities were present with their federation. Among the excused personalities, the President of the FIG.

Present in the hall, a legend of gymnastics, the Slovenian Miroslav Cerar, Olympic champion and medallist, holder of many victories and medals at WCh and ECh.

UEG Partners
The three UEG partners, Janssen&Fritsen, Spieth and Eurotramp were present with a stand and were able to establish direct contacts with the NF in view of future events. The congress participants learned with sadness of the death on Friday, November 5, of Kurt Hack, founder of EUROTRAMP. Mr. Hack passed away at the age of 79 after a long illness. Present in Tel Aviv his grandson and successor, Dennis Hack, accepted the condolences of the UEG.

« Artistic » Executive Committee
With the election of Iordan Iovtchev BUL, the Executive Committee of the UEG now has in its ranks three Olympic or World champions (Silvio Kroll, Igor Korobchinski) as well as the head coach of the Russian teams, Andrey Rodionenko.

Several functions
It is known that Iordan Iovtchev, who just won the silver medal on rings at the WCh in London, also chairs the Federation of Bulgaria and is now a member of the EC/UEG. ”I'm also in a dance group since two months,“ announces this exceptional athlete who does not intend to end his career. His 8 year old son chose tennis ”it is less difficult“ says his dad.

All on the tables
As in 1996, the closing banquet took place in the vineyards of Holon. After a typical meal, songs and traditional music and as the tradition wants it, (almost) everyone was dancing on the tables. Back at the hotel, some have prolonged the night on the terrace of the hotel before returning home.

The turbulence seemed appeased and the new President’s Board of the UEG will officially take office at the transmission of authority meeting on the 23rd of January 2010 in Vienna AUT. Respect and recognition was shown to the (still) acting President D. Dimitropoulos. He acknowledged with great dignity his non-election and congratulated the new President open and with fair-play for his success.

Danielle Duchoud
UEG Head of press

23rd UEG Congress in Tel Aviv / ISR – D Day less 10

The 23rd Congress of the European Union of Gymnastics will be held on November 6th and 7th 2009 in Tel Aviv. All members of the UEG Authorities will have to be re-elected. For the first time, all 47 member federations will be represented.

After Birmingham in 2005 and Prague in 2007, Israel will organise for the second time after 1996 the UEG Congress. As every four years, the UEG General Assembly will have to renew its Authorities.

The 47 Federations will be represented by 135 delegates and 66 members of the Authorities; several guests will complete the list of the persons assisting at this congress.

The Gymnastics Federation of Israel and its staff organise this congress with a lot of commitment. The General Assembly will be held on November 6th and 7th in the Exposition centre in Tel Aviv. The meetings of the Executive Committee and the Technical Committees, held before the General Assembly, will be organized in the Hotel Carlton from November 3rd on.

Friday will treat the administrative topics and proposals on the agenda. Saturday morning will see the election of the President (1); the former President as well as other 2 candidates are announced. Three Vice-presidents, 7 members of the Executive Committee, 8 Technical Committee Presidents, 1 President and 2 members of the Control authority as well as 6 members of the Appeal Authority will also have to be elected. If necessary, a 2nd and 3rd ballot will be organized. During the break at noon, the newly elected Executive Committee will meet and elect the members of each Technical Committee. The results will be communicated during the second part of the General Assembly on Saturday afternoon, which will end with the honours of the leaving members. The newly elected members will assume their functions during the transfer of powers to be held in Vienna/AUT on January 22nd and 23rd 2010.

The Congress will end with an official banquet. On Sunday, the organisers propose an excursion to Jerusalem.

General Programme
Tuesday, 3 November: meeting of the President’s Board
Wednesday, 4 November: meeting of the Executive Committee
Thursday, 5 November: meeting of the Technical Committees and joint meeting of all Authorities
Friday, 6 November: General Assembly – first part
Saturday, 7 November: General Assembly – second part, all elections
Sunday, 8 November: cultural programme

The UEG Congress is attributed to Israel

At the meeting of the UEG executive committee held in Madrid, the organisation of the election congress 2009 was attributed to the federation of Israel. The various meetings and the general assembly will take place in Tel Aviv.

23rd UEG Election Congress, 6-7 November 2009 in Tel-Aviv/ISR

In four month, le 23rd UEG-Congress will be held in Tel-Aviv/ISR. It will be an election Congress, in the course of it, the General assembly (November 6-7) will renew all the authority members of the UEG.

Date : 3 - 7 November 2009
Venue : Tel-Aviv Exhibitions Center

General programme:

Tuesday, November 3rd : meeting of the Presidential board
Wednesday November 4th: meeting of the Executive committee
Thursday November 5th: meetings of the Technical committees and the Control authority
Friday November 6th : General assembly – first part
Saturday November 7th: General assembly, 2nd part – all elections
Sunday November 8th : Cultural programme

All proposals and candidatures for events and elections have to be addressed to the
UEG Secretariat by August 6th 2009.

Registrations of the Delegates of the national federations and the members of the authorities have to be addressed to the UEG Secretariat by September 6th.

Media Accreditation deadline: October 30th 2009 (www.ueg-gymnastics.com)

TEL AVIV
Stretched along the beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean, Tel-Aviv is Israel's largest city and biggest commercial center. It is a busy metropolis, which inspires its visitors with a unique energetic atmosphere of excitement and fun.

Visible from a distance with its seafront skyscrapers and exclusive Tel Aviv hotels, Tel-Aviv presents a lively combination of entertainment venues, shopping malls, exotic markets, nonstop active nightlife, gorgeous golden beaches and wonderful restaurants of all kinds.
It is also the country's greatest cultural center, a home for a variety of museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls. By contrast, the ancient port city of Jaffa is medieval in appearance.

This special blend of Mediterranean ambience, seaside resort and modern facade is what makes the city so uniquely appealing.

Tel Aviv - World Heritage Site

In July, 2003, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, proclaimed " The White City", the unique urban and historical fabric of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, as a World Cultural Heritage site. By this proclamation, the world recognized the special architectural qualities of the buildings, streets, squares and avenues of Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv, the first Hebrew city in modern times, was founded in 1909 and was built on the sand dunes north of the ancient port city of Jaffa. Its style was innovative, tailored to the needs of its residents, to their life styles and the climatic conditions of the region. "The White City", the world's largest grouping of buildings in the International Style, also known as Bauhaus, was planned by the famous Scot, Sir Patrick Geddes. About 4,000 buildings were constructed in this area, beginning in the 1930's until the establishment of the State of Israel. The "White City" is located between Allenby Street in the south, Begin Road and Ibn Gvirol Street in the east, the Yarkon River in the north, and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

"The White City" is the story of Tel Aviv, from its beginning to today and is a wonderful opportunity to savor the experience of life in Tel Aviv, in the past and the present.