European Union of Gymnastics (UEG) president Georges Guelzec has called on the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to instigate changes to the sport to make it more attractive for television.
Guelzec was speaking as he presented his report on the future of gymnastics to the FIG Executive during a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“Our sport is too complicated, too long and too expensive to produce for television,” Guelzec said. “Gymnastics must rapidly undertake fundamental changes to survive.”
The UEG said the FIG Executive, along with the federation’s president, Bruno Grandi, have “taken note” of the first measures taken by the UEG in a bid to address this situation.
The UEG will introduce these measures at the inaugural European Games multi-sport event, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in June. The competition format will be revamped to showcase two different gymnastic disciplines per day.
A test event will be held in Baku this week, with a view to refining this concept.