WELCOME ADDRESS
by Professor Bruno Grandi, FIG President

Dear Friends,

I have the pleasure and sincere honour of welcoming you to the magnificent City of London, the stage of Artistic Gymnastics' 41st World Championships.

It is a privilege to share in the emotions and experiences an event of this calibre has to offer, with its impressive bill of gymnasts from around the world. I am honoured to be here in a country with such high gymnastic potential, a country steeped in the fundamental values which are the cornerstones of the success and reputation of our sport. I am confident that London will extend a warm welcome to our champions.

This event is of major importance for two reasons.

On one hand, it is the first event of the new Olympic Cycle. London will map out a new hierarchy for gymnasts competing in the 2009 – 2012 Cycle. On the other hand, these championships will take place in the same arena that will host the London 2012 Gymnastics Olympic competitions.

As President, and on behalf of the Authorities of the FIG and the international community of gymnastics as a whole, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. Many warm thanks to the beautiful City of London, to its Authorities, to British Gymnastics, to AEG Europe and the Management of the O2 to and to all those who have contributed to the success of this event.

I wish the greatest success to our outstanding athletes, delegation members and officials, and declare my admiration for the many volunteers and enthusiastic public who make all this possible.

With my best wishes, and thank you London!

Bruno Grandi
FIG President