Finland to Host World's Biggest Gymnastics Event
Helsinki has been selected as the 2015 host city for World Gymnaestrada, the largest general gymnastics exhibition. The event will bring 25,000 gymnasts to Helsinki from 60 countries.
The International Gymnastics Federation announced its decision on Thursday. Spain and Norway had also hoped to secure the bid.
Minister of Culture and Sport Stefan Wallin travelled to Japan to present Finland’s bid.
“We have always participated in the Gymnaestradas with large delegations, and now we want to show our hospitality in return,” said Kirsti Partanen, the President of the Finnish Gymnastics Federation, in a statement.
The Gymnaestrada is held every four years much like the Olympics. However, the focus of this event is not on winning medals, but on group performances—some with hundreds or even thousands of gymnasts.
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