William “Bill” Roetzheim

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Two-time Olympian William “Bill” Roetzheim, the first North American elected to the FIG Men’s Technical Committee, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, at the age of 85.

Elected to the FIG Men’s Technical Committee in 1985, Bill served on it until 1996. He was also superior judge or apparatus supervisor at the Olympic Games in Seoul (KOR) in 1988, in Barcelona (ESP) in 1992 and finally in Atlanta (USA) in 1996.

Bill was the supervisor of the Pommel Horse during early 1990s and coined the term “Flops,” which is today used to represent combinations of circling elements on one pommel in the Men’s Artistic Code of Points.

This three-time U.S. All-Around champion competed in the Olympic Games in London in 1948, placing seventh All-around, and in Helsinki in 1952, where he finished eighth. He also was a numerous Pan-American, National, and NCAA champion. Bill achieved tremendous coaching accolades as well, producing numerous NCAA and high school champions.

Bill made tremendous contributions to the sport within his own country and worldwide. He died of natural causes in his hometown of Plant City, Florida. The FIG family expresses their sincere condolences to Bill’s wife BJ, his family, and friends throughout the world.

By FIG Men’s TC President Steve Butcher

FIG Partner

Equipment manufacturer SPIETH Gymnastics GmbH, a long-term partner of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), recently moved to new headquarters in Altbach, Germany. The long-established company, founded as early as 1831, gave up its seat in Esslingen, southeast of Stuttgart, where it had been based since 1964, moving only two kilometers away to the small Swabian town Altbach.

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While the relocation was carried out in December 2013, the company officially inaugurated its new headquarters with a celebration on March 21, 2014. Among the distinguished guests, FIG Secretary General André Gueisbuhler declared SPIETH Gymnastics’ new building “another milestone in the successful company history.” On the partnership between the two organisations, Gueisbuhler said: “The long-term partnership between the FIG and SPIETH Gymnastics goes far beyond a normal trade relation.” Jacques Janssen, Managing Partner of the Dutch JF-Group to which SPIETH Gymnastics belongs, was delighted with the new headquarters. “The new building is just the starting point of a successful future. We have big plans,” he said.

SPIETH Gymnastics, the official supplier for Gymnastics events at multiple Olympic Games and FIG World Championships, took the opportunity of the inauguration to announce an important deal with Brazil. Director Henning Hauser informed that his company was chosen to supply Brazil with Gymnastics competition equipment until the end of June. “This enormous assignment is also an important step towards Rio 2016,” Hauser said. “It is our goal to supply the Gymnastics equipment for the Rio Olympic Games.” Rio de Janeiro would be the 11th Olympic Games to be supplied by SPIETH Gymnastics.

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