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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 16, 2001

FIG Reform Adds Spice to Chinese Gymnastics

Gymnastics, which used to keep spectators away due to its complicated routines, has become a big draw in the quadrennial sports meet, thanks to FIG's new Code of Points and revamped format that are adopted at the games.


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The reform introduced by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has made the competition more appealing with increasing upsets and suspense, as evidenced by the gymnastic events at China's ongoing National Games in Guangzhou.

Gymnastics, which used to keep spectators away due to its complicated routines, has become a big draw in the quadrennial sports meet, thanks to FIG's new Code of Points and revamped format that are adopted at the games.

Spectators have turned out in big numbers for the gymnastics competitions and enthusiastically cheered on the gymnasts.

"It is really a surprising delight to see such enthusiastic spectators," said Zhang Jian, chief of the Chinese Gymnastics Association.

The new 6-3-3 format, instead of the 6-5-4 original version, allows six gymnasts in the team, but only three of them to competeon each apparatus and all the three scores count for the total.

The change requires the three gymnasts to be error-free in routines execution and any miscue will cost the team dear.

And under the new Code of Points the sport is on the verge of being acrobatics as gymnasts have to earn high marks by executing highly difficult tricks, which make it harder for gymnasts to be free of errors.

Rollercoasting Fortune
"After the FIG changes, the sport is more dramatic and results will not become clear until the last minute of the competition," said Zhang. One highlight of the drama is the Hunan women's team which hasbeen a leading force in China for long and hailed as the hot favorite for the coveted team title.

But the squad, composed of such stars as Ling Jie, world champion in uneven bars, and Yang Yun, a rising star of the Chinese gymnastics, had to squeak through the qualification round,entering the finals with the eighth and last placing.

"It is really out of people's expectations," said Zhang. "Such key players as Ling Jie and Yang Yun both failed to perform true to their form."

But the team rollercoasted to a sweet ending as they pulled off a nearly errorless performance to overtake and wrap up runners-up at the eight-team finals.

"So the competition becomes more attractive for spectators, andI think from what I have seen so far, the changes made by FIG are successful in promoting the sport," said Zhang.

Second Thought
Dong Zhen, world champion in the rings, failed to be picked into the national squad for Sydney Games last year, because he wasconsidered not all-round enough and China was in pursuit of its first ever men's team title in the Olympics.

But Zhang said that the new competition format and rules have forced the Chinese gymnastics to have second thought of the yardstick to pick national gymnasts.

"The new format requires each team to have gymnasts who are very talented in their specialization," said Zhang.

But the Chinese gymnastics used to place too much weight on grooming all-round players, which are highlighted by their credentials as men's team champions in both the world championships and Olympic games.

"Gymnasts always divide their time among apparatuses, in this way we produce quite a few talented all-round players," said Zhang.

"But each one's energy is limited, so even if Dong Zhen is outstanding only in one apparatus like the rings, it is worthwhileif he can be crowned in the world," said Zhang.

"We are expected to further study if every national player should be all-round. It will be a big issue for us to deal with inthe future," said Zhang.






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