Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The International Judges’ Courses in Rhythmic Gymnastics of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) kicked off in Baku on January 26.

The courses, which will last until January 30, bring together 58 judges from 17 countries.

FIG representative Younis Lebre, who addressed the opening, welcomed the participants and introduced the members of the organizing committee

Lebre also thanked the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation for the excellent organization and wished success to judges.

Afterwards, AGF Secretary General Farid Gayibov addressed the event. He welcomed the course participants, wished them success and expressed hope that the courses will be held successfully.

“These courses are being held for the first time in Azerbaijan and the FIG Intercontinental Judges’ Courses were also held for the first time here in the previous week,” noted Gayibov. “You will have a very difficult week, but I hope you will also be able to find time to enjoy the sights of Baku.”

The International Judges' Courses are very important for the entire rhythmic gymnastics, because a new Olympic cycle is starting, Vice President of FIG Technical Committee Noha Abushabana told Trend.

“We are starting to prepare a new generation of judges for the entire cycle of the 2020 Olympics. That’s why we want to make sure that the judges have sufficient skills, knowledge and understanding of the new set of rules, as significant changes have been made in favor of the gymnasts,” said the vice-president.

She further added that Azerbaijan is represented by 20 judges in the courses, while last year their number was only six.

"This is a great progress for the development of judging in Azerbaijan. They all are young, and most of them are former gymnasts, so that they understand what athletes need," Abushabana said.

Baku hosted five-day Intercontinental Judges’ Courses in Rhythmic Gymnastics of the FIG on January 17-21.

The local and foreign judges will have an opportunity to confirm or upgrade their Brevets at the International Judges’ Courses in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics to be held on February 6-9.

Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation earlier announced that Baku will host seven international gymnastics events within the first five months of 2017.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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