WG - What do a math teacher, a translator and a statistician have in common?

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 14, 2011: This sounds like a very complicated question, but in the face of the 14th World Gymnaestrada it is easy to answer: They all share the passion for Gymnastics.

The 3 teammates Daniela Fonseca, translator, Marilia Franceschinelli de Souza, math teacher, and Ana Luisa Lorenzeti, statistician have joined the Brazilian group Grupo Ginastico UNICAMP (GGU) from different walks of life and gymnastic levels.

The group lead by Marco Antonio Coelho Bortoleto with the assistance of Larissa Graner has a very interesting gymnastic approach. The first differential is that to join the group there is no requirement of previous gymnastic training. Each individual needs to have the desire to learn and keep the research on Gymnastics. The second differential is the group objective. Through simple choreographs the team’s goal is to reach kids in schools and spread the practice of Gymnastics in Brazil and the World.

The GGU is a unique group because it is partially sponsored by the university Universidade Estadual de Campinas, but moreover; it is utilised by the university as an academic research platform on the development of Gymnastics in the country.
Brazil is a country where the population reality is one of few resources and poverty. Therefore, their proposal is to show to kids and educators that resources are everywhere and with creativity everyone can get involved with Gymnastics. The group has performances with water bottles, soda cans, discarded wires and even newspapers. Any alternative material is transformed in props for the group’s routines. If the group can show kids to utilise the resources that they have around them, they believe that more people will get moving and live a healthier life style instead of being stagnated on the vicious cycle of not doing something due to the lack of resources available.

The team is not interested in competition, even among them, they have many different levels of fitness and each individual contributes with their skills and talents – inside and outside of Gymnastics.

After their presentations at World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne, the group continues on tour to Denmark where they have a well establish exchange of talent with the local federation. The tour comprises of 6 presentations of 30 minutes in different cities. They will bring some of the routines performed in Lausanne and add different ones as well.

For the World Gymnaestrada City Performance, GGU brought their colourful piabas (Brazilian fish) and made the Place de la Riponne dance during lunch time at the sound of an upbeat Brazilian folkloric song.

http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314181-news-item,00.html

WG - Creative use of Materials

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 14, 2011: During World Gymnaestrada presentations creativity truly plays an important role in the development of the routines. It is not just about technical performance but also how to integrate different materials to cause a mesmerizing visual impact on spectators.

Everything is acceptable from simple use of garbage bags as costumes, to highly elaborated carrousel equipments. In the case of the Large Group Performances, the materials and colours complement the huge field used as stage. In addition, they add an element to do acrobatics and play around such as stackable wooden boxes.

Other groups have hidden themselves completely for parts of the presentation building suspense in who was behind those exquisite movements. The creativity continues by integrating the same hiding costume throughout the rest of the presentation.
There are still plenty of performances at this year’s edition of World Gymnaestrada and the choreographers seem to be outdoing themselves in creativity.

What will the next presentation reserve for the spectators? We will have to keep checking them out.


http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314183-news-item,00.html

WG - All hands on deck

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 14, 2011: They dance, jump, flip, do hand stands, cartwheels, they throw a ball in the air to catch it after pirouetting across the stage. They integrate different equipments and materials in their routines and change costumes on the fly. These are the gymnasts participating in the 14th World Gymnaestrada.

But this is not all that they do!

During the presentations at Beaulieu Hall, each team has 20 minutes to perform. This time includes not only the presentation, but also the set up and take down of all the equipments, apparatus, and components required by the group for their routine.

This is when all hands are required to help. During the few minutes between presentations, the gymnasts work like they were in a very well organised anthill. They run from one side of the stage to another carrying, dragging, and rolling equipments. Sometimes measurements are required to ensure the correct placement of the equipment. Other times a very well choreographed routine takes place to assemble and disassemble large pieces of apparatus such as a massive 6 people rings.

When all is in place, the gymnasts position themselves and perform passionately. At the end, the take down ritual repeats itself before the celebration backstage of a job well done.

http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314173-news-item,00.html

WG - No generation conflict

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 13, 2011: The Canadian team Alberta Remix brought to this year's World Gymnaestrada the evolution of music. To cater to the large range of participants, the coaches and choreographers agreed on a theme that would leave the generation conflict on the floor. The group has members from 10 to 72 years old.

Ironically, their theme played a trick on them and the sound desk had issues to play their music. The group's coaches scrambled around to provide another copy of the CD and even a version direct from an iPod.

The public supported the team by cheering and clapping while the athletes passively waited in position. When the music finally started the audience was already on fire, which resulted on an explosive presentation from the group. All generations rocked the floor.
The oldest member of the team Marje Cherer said she was pumped. She celebrated a job well done backstage with her daughter Lindsay Oliver who is one of the team's coaches and a 5-timer participant of World Gymnaestrada.

The presentation proved that the 14th World Gymnaestrada is for everyone and that there is no conflict of generations.


http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314152-news-item,00.html

WG - First Timers

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 13, 2011: Two groups from Argentina, CPO and Fuss, are participating for the first time at World Gymnaestrada this year, but seeing their performance one would think that they are veterans.

The groups got together only four months ago to bring to Lausanne a combination of contemporary dance, hip-hop, gymnastic and tango. The choreographers Mayra Machado and Veronica Diaz Velez put together a piece with colourful costumes and beautiful movements.

The team has just one male participant, Fagundo Giordano who was busy tangoing away with his teammates. Despite being the only man among so many girls, he affirms that it does not present a problem since they are a united group. However, he admits enjoying the attention of being different. His main objective in participating in the event is to learn from other more experienced delegations and go back to Argentina, where he will be able to help the sport growing.

World Gymnastrada is about exchange of cultures and diversity and always welcomes new nations that are developing the practice of gymnastics at all age groups.


http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314150-news-item,00.html

WG - The energy that comes from the south

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 13, 2011: Clapping, cheering, chanting and dancing… the blue South African wave of athletes arrived at Beaulieu Lausanne. The team building leader Boitumelo Nong made sure that the group keeps the traditions. As he explained, in Africa dancing and singing is part of the every day life of the population. The group from North West South Arfrica brought all their traditions in the bag with them. The leader started African Contemporary songs in the North West dialect and the group of athletes followed. These are songs about their day to day and are used to build their nation.

People arriving at the same time as the delegation joined the group, many as spectators and cheers, but others like the Valais Wallis group could not resist rhythm and broke into the group. Nicole, Ursula, Beatriz, Marie-Noelle, and Helene all agreed that the exchange of culture is very important during the event and it is hard to stay in place with such a rhythmic and entertaining entrance.

Tumelo Aphiris, a member of the South African group, said that the energy and joy is part of having a good time while enjoying himself during World Gymnaestrada. He also reminded everyone that the vuvuzelas first introduced during the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa are now part of the country’s tradition and could not been left behind. Not only the Vuvuzelas were present during this spontaneous show of energy but also they have been incorporated into the group’s country night presentation on Tuesday. “You can’t leave home with out a vuvuzela anymore,”said Tumelo.

This spontaneous demonstration of rhythm and joy was just a peak at what the groups presented at Malley Hall during the South African National Evening, when they engaged all the spectators around them.


http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314142-news-item,00.html

WG - Proud to be Portuguese

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 14, 2011: I was born in Brazil into an Italo-Portuguese family. Recently I acquired my Portuguese citizenship but it wasn’t until the 14th World Gymnaestrada’s Portuguese night that I discovered how truly Portuguese I am!

The Portuguese delegation brought to Lausanne all of their tradition of Fado, the traditional nation’s rhythm that is characterised by all the emotion of their people. The lyrics are about day-to-day routine and many times are related to the loss of loved ones or the “saudades” – the Portuguese word to express the feeling of missing someone or something.

When I first entered the Malley Hall I was overwhelmed with the amount of Portuguese people waving their flags and chanting POR-TU-GAL in unison. Ms. Isabel Mendes is a Portuguese national from Vila Real, Tras-os-Montes, who has adopted Switzerland as her home over 26 years ago. However, her heart has not changed nationalities, she makes sure to keep all the countries roots in her family. When she saw on TV about World Gymnaestrada and the Portuguese night, she got onto the internet immediately to buy tickets. She came with her family to support her country’s athletes, but overall to calm the homesickness of her heart with all the Fados.

The Portuguese night did not disappoint her!

The theme was kept throughout the night, with images of the country’s beauties being projected in the screen and the music selection from big names of Portuguese Fado such as Amalia Rodrigues and Carlos do Carmo to name a few.

Another very proud Portuguese in the audience was Carlos Branco who waved his large flag to the crowd. He came from Portugal with the group Clube Desportivo Escola Secondaria Miguel Torga.The group that brings 80 gymnasts to Lausanne as Carlos said“Gymnastics is for all, but someone also needs to be behind the scenes to support. I wish I could be in two places at the same time to participate in the show.”

The gymnasts delivered on everyone’s expectations. The Fado was danced by all groups and adapted to their own type of performance. The creativity of the choreographers and the use of the music were a true show. To the delight of the audience, a group danced hip-hop to the rhythm of Fado.

I followed every movement with my undivided attention and every song with the thump of my heart. When the song “Uma casa Portuguesa” (A Portuguese Household) by Amalia Rodrigues started playing, it hit me hard on how proud I am to be Portuguese. I got teary eyed and home sick, this used to be my late grandmother’s favorite song that she would sing while cooking my preferred dish bolinho de palmito.

Thanks World Gymnaestrada for providing so many emotional moments for gymnasts, volunteers, and spectators!

 

http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314175-news-item,00.html

WG - Smiles despite pain

As featured at Federation Internationale de Gymnastique website for the 14th World Gymnaestrada 2011 in Lausanne

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 13, 2011: On Monday’s rehearsal, gymnast Christel Carnevali from France fell during a lift. After spending all night at the hospital in Lausanne she had the confirmation that her left arm was broken. With her arm on a cast, she joined her teammates early morning on Tuesday to modify the choreography for the 10:40 am presentation. Christel would only be able to participate in some parts of the presentation, the ones that did not require any strength from her left arm.

During the presentation, she sat out on the side of the stage waiting for the right moment that she could jump in to complete her team. She was even able to lend a “hand” for a lift of her teammates. After the presentation, she expressed with teary eyes about her experience and frustration. She has been practicing gymnastic for 15 years and the past 2 years with the group Kingersheim/ CT Gym Toulouse specially for the 2011 edition of World . Gymnaestrada. After this event she is retiring, with a bitter sweet feeling. But she is not letting any broken arm ruin her experience in Lausanne. She still has three more presentations to complete this week, in which she will be greeted by the warm encouragement of her peers and spectators.

Another story of overcoming injuries is of the Portuguese gymnast Carlota Cunha. It was not until two weeks ago that she received the go ahead to participate in the 2011 World Gymnaestrada. She has injured her right ankle and has not been able to practice for several weeks. Despite the injury, she has joined her team Sporting Club Portugal in Lausanne. She is enjoying herself during the event and said that the pain is well worth it.

Before her presentation, the coach Catia Correia made sure her ankle is perfectly immobilized to avoid any further damage. Carlota was able to perform all the exercise as planned, which makes it easier for her team. During the presentation her energy and big smile were contagious. Seeing her performance, one would not imagine the pain that she has been through. It is athletes like Christen and Carlota that brings the true spirit of World Gymnaestrada to life showing that participation is the main objective.

http://www.sportcentric.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0,10869,5249-203941-221164-48942-314144-news-item,00.html

Guest Blogger - My sister Andrea Negreda

When I finally started packing to come to Switzerland to visit my sister last June 15, I definitely had the camera in my list. However, I wondered whether I should bring the semi-professional Canon G11 that my husband loves and uses beautifully whenever we travel, which would require a crash course on some of the features it has available, or our automatic jack-of-all trades and efficient Sony Cyber-Shot, which I can usually deal with without major difficulties.

Being the sister of an aspiring photographer and blogger, who takes the time to travel around photographing the country and writing about picture-taking and the places themselves, I obviously preferred to stick to my easy and handy option: the automatic camera. Light-weighted, small and reliable, I thought I would use it now and then for shots I chose myself and as a backup, sure that this time my photo album would be perfectly balanced, without any excluded feet, twisted images or illogical positions, thanks to the fact that I was “riding with the camera queen”.

To my surprise, for the whole time we were together - herself, our mom and me, she decided she would go on vacation as well – from photographing! And there were we taking all pictures with my automatic 7.2 mega pixel camera instead, trying to choose between focusing the background or ourselves, the incredible landscape or the souvenirs we would like to keep forever.

Image 1 - The Negreda's in Montreux

The most difficult part was to photograph the breathtaking landscapes from the mountains – trying to capture the images from the lake, the houses built on the mountains, the luxurious green, the natural relief, and even the snowed mountain tops, all in one single shot. I guess this is not an easy task even for professional photographers that spend time adjusting the camera settings and waiting for the right light to shed, let alone simple travelers marveled at every single thing they see.

Image 2 - Lauterbrunnen

Image 3 - Lavaux Terraces

After all, when I got back home and started to go through the pictures, I was not disappointed at all – yes, there are still pictures where we can only see part of our heads, or some where we cannot clearly see the forest for the trees, but in my opinion we have managed to gather all it takes to have the perfect photos: wonderful landscapes, a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere and above all, precious moments to cherish.

Image 4 - Gruyere

Image 5 - Bern

Image 6 - View of Montreux from Caux

Sis, hope your readers can enjoy some of our “masterpieces”.

Love,

Andrea