Philippines ready for FIG world event

MANILA, Philippines — The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) is leaving no stone unturned as it prepares for an innovative hosting of the third FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships on Nov. 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom.

The prestigious event, which has drawn a record-breaking number of participating nations and athletes, puts the spotlight on the country still on a high from ace gymnast Carlos Yulo’s historic golden double at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The GAP said delegates will start arriving by Nov. 14 and can expect a red-carpet treatment, no less. This early, some of them have already expressed interest to stay beyond Nov. 25 to enjoy the sights.

Adding star power to the event, GAP board member and actor Derek Ramsay will host the opening ceremony.

“We are going all out in our effort in the hosting of this huge international sporting competition featuring the world’s top junior gymnasts, a showcase for their skills and talent amid a lively, festive and warm atmosphere that only Filipinos are known for,” said GAP president Cynthia Carrion.

“The Philippines has a proven track record for staging memorable and impressive international competitions and the GAP, with the help of its partners, has also set the bar high to ensure that our hosting of the 3rd Junior World Championships will not only measure up but also even exceed expectations,” she added.

Carrion said the country’s credentials as an excellent host convinced the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) board, led by Japanese president Morinari Watanabe to bring the world junior gymnastics showcase here during its Congress in Doha in November 2024.

FIG Technical Officials Give Thumbs Up

The FIG’s top technical officials conducted a two-day ocular inspection last August and gave their stamp of approval on the GAP’s plans for the third edition of the competition that was first held in 2019 in Gyor, Hungary.

“On behalf of the group (FIG), I can say that we’re extremely impressed by their preparation. The junior gymnasts here will have the best conditions to compete – not only in training but also in the competition, and in the hotels and in the transport,” noted FIG WAG senior events manager Celine Patricia Cachemaille.

“Everything is being made for them to have a great experience here in the Philippines.”

Donatella Sacchi and Andrew Tombs, presidents of the FIG Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Technical Committees, respectively, shared Cachemaille’s sentiments.

“We are very impressed, not only because they are very friendly and have new ideas, but because they developed this organization, which is a complex organization, in such a short time. So we can see here a lot of energy, a lot of new ideas, and people that will host our delegation with a big heart,” Sacchi said.

“Clearly, the organizers (GAP) are well prepared and I know many gymnasts around the world are very excited to be coming. For many of them, this is their first major championship, the start of their journey hopefully towards the Olympic Games, whether it’s the Youth Olympic Games next year or in 2028 (in Los Angeles),” Tombs said.

FIG Men’s Artistic senior events manager Stephane Detraz agreed, saying: “With meticulous planning, the GAP is gearing up to deliver a world-class event that will showcase the grace, strength and passion of the next generation of gymnasts. The Philippines is set to make this championship an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches, and fans from around the world.”

To ensure a seamless competition, the GAP convened a general coordination meeting recently with key committees covering hotels, transports, accreditation, security, logistics, and other related key areas.

Record Turnout to Boost Sports Tourism, Local Economy

Carrion revealed that proof that the blue-ribbon competition has generated popular interest in the international gymnastics community were the 77 countries and 846 athletes that have registered so far, easily surpassing the turnout of previous two editions.

In the last world juniors in Antalya, Turkey, there were 64 countries and 234 campaigners, per Carrion.

“We believe a reason for this record-breaking turnout is our famed Filipino hospitality that other nationalities have heard about from their own compatriots who visited our country, and keep coming back,” Carrion said.

“Our goal is to attain a Grade 10 rating for hosting excellence. We aim to deliver not only an outstanding gymnastics showcase but also to give our guests an exceptional experience. Everything that we are doing is about promoting sports tourism and helping fuel the local economy. When delegates have a positive experience, they are encouraged to explore, visit more destinations, and return to the Philippines.”

The GAP chief thanked the Newport World Resorts, the premier leisure, entertainment, shopping and gaming resort across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, for coming in as site of the prestigious championships.

This will be the first time in gymnastic world championships history that the field of play will move from the traditional sports arena to the elegance and comfort of a hotel setting.

And this bold and innovative move impressed FIG, proving how creativity and vision can redefine not only where athletes compete, but also how the sport is experienced.

But more than a change of venue, it marks a new way of thinking in event hosting.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Newport World Resorts’ Kevin Tan, who is also our Local Organizing Committee chairman, for accommodating us in staging this grand junior world championships,” Carrion said.

With the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom as the major hub of activity, she said, “Our participants are assured of a confined, comfortable and secure environment, living in hotels that are virtually a stroll away from the competition arena.”

The Manila Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Manila, Hilton Manila, Belmont Manila, Hotel Okura, Savoy Hotel and Hilton Express within the Newport World Resorts will serve as the official accommodations of the delegates, according to Carrion.

She also recognized the support of the Office of the President, the Philippine Sports Commission, and Newport World Resorts in making the upcoming event possible.

World Juniors Slogan, Logo Unveiled

Giving the third FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships its own distinct character are its slogan – “Leap High, Flip Strong!”- and Philippine-inspired logo.

“Leap High, Flip Strong!’ is more than just a campaign slogan. It’s a rallying cry of our 24 million Filipino youth to mount a leap of faith especially in these challenging times, and to explore and soar high in search for growth and development,” Carrion said.

On the other hand, the logo took inspiration from the country’s renowned title as “The Pearl of the Orient Seas,” a lustrous, lush and hospitable nation of over 100 million people.

“At the heart of the design is the FIG logo, representing the unifying spirit of international gymnastics,” read the GAP’s description of the logo on its official Facebook account.

“The pearl metaphor reflects the young athletes (as depicted inside the shell). They are rare, talented, full of potential and ready to shine on the world stage,” it said. “Just like pearls formed through time and pressure, these gymnasts represent the result of years of dedication, discipline and dreams.”

The stylized open shell “serves as a direct tribute to the Philippines and our role as proud host of this global event” even as it “represents a welcoming nation offering a safe and supportive space where future champions are discovered, celebrated, and inspired.”

“After all, we are staging this event so that a new generation of gymnastics stars from all over the globe will be nurtured and discovered, representing their countries in international play in the future with pride and excellence,” Carrion said.