Dear Friends

It is an honour to welcome the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach.

The new president is a long-time friend.

I have often had the privilege of crossing paths with him, of soliciting his goodwill, his expertise and experience in a variety of projects. I remember most particularly an  address he gave at the forum of the 2007 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart.

Thomas Bach is attentive to our federation’s development and carefully follows FIG efforts to restructure our sporting events calendar and qualifying system for the Olympic Games.

I am grateful for his kindness and sound advice.

With regard to the revision of our competition updates, we understand the scope of the challenge ahead and know just how difficult it will be to satisfy everyone involved.

However, work moves forward. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their work, support and understanding in a very complex process. We are far from the finish line, but continue to move in the right direction. I remain confident.

We have encountered many difficulties, but we will overcome every one of them and satisfy the hopes of our gymnasts.

With my compliments.