1998 FIG Technical Symposium
WAG Report
Venice, Italy
March 1-3, 1998In the 2 WAG Sessions, coaches and judges representing all Continental Unions and 33 nations were present: EUG with 20 nations, PAGU and ASGU/Oceania with 5 each and AFGU with 3. Delegates from ten (10) of the top twelve (12) ranked teams from the ’97 WC—Lausanne participated. The majority opinions and progressive ideas presented by the delegates on the Primary Topics are briefly summarized below.
CODE Formulas
The desired performance lines for the future development of WAG, properties and qualities such as difficulty, bonus points, content requirements, composition, technique, amplitude, presentation, excitement, originality, individuality, mastery, maturity, etc. were considered. The delegates then reported to the assembly:
- a unanimous expression for a “stable” CODE vs. a “permanent” CODE—with a minimum duration of eight (8) years due to the dynamic changing nature of WAG
- overwhelming support for the traditional 10.0 P. system, in the interest of 1) safety and longevity of the female gymnast, 2) respect and maintenance of the history and special trademark identity of “women’s artistic gymnastics,” and 3) the continuation of the enormous popularity of WAG, as known and appreciated by the media, sponsors and spectators, and
- the request for a review of the draft CODE by experienced judges and coaches before finalization.
Content Score – the positive factor (+)
- Difficulty to be awarded without consideration of deductions for technique and execution, new and rarely performed “E” difficulties to be adequately rewarded within the 10.0 P. system, Difficulty Tables to be supplemented by inclusion of newly performed elements
- Bonus Points to be awarded only for extra difficulty, eliminating Special Connections, but with consideration of BP for “extra special composition,” per guidelines
- Special Requirements to be designated related to elements from different structure groups
- Compositional Requirements to be reviewed each 4 years, due to evolution of the sport and with the above evaluation, displayed as a decisive score by the A-Panel.
Execution and Performance Score – the negative factor (-)
- Technique and Execution to receive much greater emphasis in the evaluation, with possible increase in the severity of small, medium and large errors
- Originality and Quality of movements, elements and sequences unrelated to the value of the difficulty, as well as Choreography, Artistry, Expression, Individuality, Maturity to be evaluated per more precise guidelines
- Deductions to be stabilized and similar, when possible, with other disciplines and with the above evaluation being the role of the B-Panel.
Competition Formats – There was a consensus
- to shorten the duration of the competitions and adapt appealing formats for the public, sponsors and media and
- to establish uniformity of the competitive schedule during the 4 year cycle in coordination with the other FIG disciplines.
These suggestions will be dealt with by the WTC in the remainder of the cycle in order to formulate draft solutions.
Jackie K. Fie
President Women’s Technical Committee
This article appears in the May 1998 issue of Technique, Vol. 18, No. 5.
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