Doha,March,30: Popular brand Janssen-Fritsen has launched its new series of gymnastics equipment at the three-day FIF World Challenge Cup, top company officials said yesterday.
“We are here the founders of this equipment. We are supporting the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) to have this equipment at their events,” Bart Prinssen, Export Manager, Janssen-Fritsen, said at Aspire Academy.
“This is the newest equipment on the gymnastics circuit. We are using it here for the first time, especially the floor. The floor is new FIG apparatus. In short this is the newest equipment used all over the world,” Prinssen added.
“This is the first official competition that is using the new equipment.
“This will be used later this year at Antwerp, Belgium, at the World Championships (to be held in late September this year),” Prinssen added.
Thierry Delueze, the Product Manager at Janssen-Fritsen, said feedback from the world of gymnastics on the quality of the new equipment was ‘fantastic’.
“The feedback of the gymnasts is fantastic. We have had many discussions with gymnasts and coaches and their opinions are very high,” Delueze said.
“We have the top quality. The foam quality is perfect. You could say this (new series) will help prepare a new generation of gymnasts,” he added. “The new equipment is safe and ensures the gymnasts don’t get hurt,” he said.
The new series of equipment is making its Doha debut after passing lab tests carried out in Germany.
“We have tested in the official facility of FIG in Germany. The FIG has a testing laboratory there,” Prinssen said.
“Last year, they approved the characteristics of the floor and technique involved in the development of the equipment,” he added.
“After testing, Doha is the first city to use this.”
Prinssen said FIG had approved for the use of the equipment at the 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
“The decision has already been made to use this equipment at the World Championships. We got the approval for this last year,” Prinssen said. “This (new series) is more flexible. It is cheaper on transportation. It is easy to move around. It stays same in hot weather countries or cities,” Deleuze said.
“We use developed raw materials,” Prinssen said.
“I think this is the future of gymnastics. In competition and for training purposes. We learn every day from the gymnasts about this,” Deleuze said “The development took five years. It has taken long for us to arrive here,” he added..
The new series includes uneven bars, balance beams, vault/pegases, springboards, free exercise floors, rings, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, landing mats and trampolines.
“In Brussels, Janssen-Fritsen will ensure that the gymnasts have the most professional equipment available to get the best out of their talent,” Prinssen said.
“There will be four fully equipped warming-up sets available so the gymnasts can warm up and prepare for competition. Each training set includes two beams and two asymmetric bars,” he added.
“Janssen-Fritsen doesn’t just consider participating gymnasts, but also thinks of spectators,” the official said.
“A showroom will display our latest equipment and for the kids we will set up a circuit-training course called ‘Gymfun’. This means supporters will not only see top European gymnasts at work, but will also get a taste of tumbling,” Prinssen said.
Source:
Qatar Chronicle
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