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 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, 17/18 October 2008
The first session of training at the Kelvin Hall has taken place ahead of the Qualification competition, beginning on Friday 17th.
Gymnasts from Brazil, Greece, France and Finland were amongst the first competitors getting used to the apparatus and accustomed to the arena before the crowds flock in.
The British Gymnasts arrive on Friday, with most of them having spent today taking part in the Olympic Parade and then taking a trip to Buckingham Palace for an Olympic reception with the Queen.
Some of the Worlds top gymnasts are attending. The Rings competition is set to be a particular highlight with Yuri Van Gelder of The Netherlands the red-hot favourite.
2007 World Silver medallist and three times European Champion Krisztian Berki, (HUN) looks set to be the biggest challenger to Britain’s Olympic Bronze medallist Louis Smith, and teammate Daniel Keatings on the Pommel Horse.
Of all the delegations initially set to compete only China and Tunisia haven’t made it to Glasgow, meaning we still have a full and varied compliment of gymnasts from across the world.
Olympic Bronze medallist Louis Smith heading to Glasgow!....
Glasgow, 16 October 2008: Last year’s winner on Floor Thomas Gonzales from Chile and the twice World Champion on Floor Diego Hypolito from Brazil were the first stars to arrive in Scotland before the opening and the Qualifications day of the 12th Glasgow Grand Prix and World Cup Artistic Gymnastics event, on Friday 17 October and the Finals on Saturday 18 October.
The latest entries include the Russians Konstantin Pluzhnikov and Alexander Balandin, who have won medals at a number of World Cup events and the 2002 Commonwealth Games Champion on Rings, Giorgallas Irodotos from Cyprus.
With the 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist Olexander Vorobiov (UKR), 2005 World Champion Yuri Van Gelder (NED) and 2008 European Bronze medallist and Olympic finalist (5th) Danny Piheiro Rodriguez (FRA), who have already confirmed their participation, the Rings final is expected to be of the highest international standard.
Similarly for the Pommel Horse event where the British Louis Smith (2007 World and 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist) and Daniel Keatings (2007 European Silver medallist), will challenge the 2007 World Silver medallist and three times European Champion Krisztian Berky, (HUN); Robert Seligman (CRO) current European Bronze medal; Donna-Donny Truyens (BEL), to name but a few.
Slovenia has confirmed the participation of the World Masters Mitja Petkovsek (twice World Champion on P. Bars) and Aljaz Pegan (former World Champion on High Bar), who will increase the challenge on these two apparatus along with Epke Zonderland (NED), Manuel Carballo (ESP), Vasileios Tsolakidis (GRE), Samuel Piasecky (SVK), Christoph Scharer (SUI) and the local boy Adam Cox (2006 Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist on High Bar).
Vault seems to be no less exciting with fresh Olympic medallist Thomas Bouhail (FRA), Silver in Beijing; Evgeny Sapronenko (LAT), 2004 Olympic Silver medallist in Athens; the Spaniard Isaak Botella, 2008 Olympic finalist on Vault (8th); Raphael Wignianitz (FRA), Alin Jivan (ROM), Mathias Fahrig (GER), Diego Hypolito (BRA).
2005 and 2007 World Champion Hypolito also guarantees a top quality Floor competition along with Alexander Shatilov (ISR), eighth in Beijing, and the former winners/medallist in Glasgow Tomas Gonzales (CHI), Mathias Fahrig (GER), Eleftherios Kosmidis (GRE) and Kristian Thomas (GBR).
On the Women’s side, the current World Champion on A. Bars Ksenia Semenova (RUS), the 2008 Olympian Ksenia Afanasyieva (RUS) and the Brazilian Daniel Hypolito have, unfortunately pulled out of the competition, leaving the floor to the Ukrainians Daria Zgoba, Alina Kozich and Valentina Holenkova; Juliana Santos and Milena Miranda (BRA); Jenny Brunner and Kim Bui, (GER); Mercedes Alcaide and Naomi Ruiz (ESP); Dorina Bociogo and Laura Gombas, (HUN); Sanne Wevers and Anne Tritten (NED), to name but a few.
Great Britain has strong chance in the Women’s event primarily on Vault and Floor, with Marissa King taking part in Glasgow.
The competition supported by EventScotland and organised by British Gymnastics and Glasgow City Council will be crucial for the majority of the participants to get precious points for the World Cup Ranking List and qualify for the Final in Madrid, 12-14 December 2008.
BBC Coverage
Saturday
1325-1800, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website
Sunday
1300-1430, BBC Two and BBC Sport website
Competition Programme:
Friday, 17 October 2008: 13:00- 17:30 Qualifications
Saturday, 18 October 2008: 13:30- 17:45 Finals
Tickets:
Qualifications: Friday, 17 October 2008 - Free entry!! Just go to the Kelvin Hall reception for access.
Final: Saturday, 18 October 2008
For Tickets please call 08444 815787 or visit www.secextra.com
Ticket Prices:
Adults £8.50 Child/Concessions: £4.50 Family: £22.00
Media Accreditation: Please go to BG Website www.british-gymnastics.org and complete the relevant Form.
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