By Suat Celen, President of the
Turkish Gymnastics Federation

Dear Rhythmic Gymnastics Family,

This coming September we will be honoured to host you in pretty Izmir, the cradle of civilisation, the Pearl of the Aegean, which the great Victor Hugo named “Princess,” for the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.

We have begun preparing to welcome the world’s best Rhythmic gymnasts, and will work hard to provide them with ideal conditions that will allow all to give performances of the highest calibre, in a comfortable atmosphere. You already have the best wishes of Turkey, the Turkish Gymnastics Federation and the hospitable Turkish people, and we wish you all a happy and healthy period of preparation.

With the desire that Izmir is a championship that demonstrates worldwide friendship and shows the very best of our sport to the world.

​

Burcin Neziroglu (TUR)

In the Land of Nausicca

by Philippe Silacci

World premiere!

Never before has the Turkish Gymnastics Federation received an event of this kind – with an international audience – on its home turf. Done deal! Having expressed an interest at the San José (USA) Council in 2011, Atilla Orsel’s wish has been granted. The decision provides the Turkish federation, its gymnasts and president, Suat Celen, with access to the prestigious club of FIG world championship organising countries.

Previously known as Smyrna, Izmir has witnessed the most celebrated of ancient poets such as Homer, who after his Iliad and Odyssey would have told the tale of the voyage of the Rhythmic Naiads through time. In 2014, the 30th Rhythmic Worlds will bathe in a sumptuous history, adding their own adventures along the way.

The competition falls at the halfway mark to the Games of Rio de Janeiro in 2016. It will reveal or confirm the talent of young gymnasts who stood out at the Europeans in Baku (AZE) last June. Everyone is gearing up for the 2015 selection in Stuttgart (GER).

Izmir is a decisive step toward Brazil and the Olympic dream.