Here's a missive from FIG President Bruno Grandi that indicates the International Gymnastics Federation is planning to do more livestreaming at competitions in the future.
Friends,
The recent Olympic Qualifying and Test Events in London revealed to what point gymnastic fans are loyal to their sport; thanks to them our sport is reaching levels of performance and popularity heretofore inaccessible. In January 2012, an event took place in London that altered our sport for good; and only time will tell what the long-term effects will be.
It was the FIG's first time single-handedly producing and broadcasting the Finals on television, a groundbreaking step that will affect the way gymnastics communicates with its fans from here on out. A threshold has been crossed and there's no going back.
The Artistic and Trampoline Finals were live streamed on the "Gymnastics" You Tube channel. Our decision was both strategic and political in that the FIG had an obligation to its public to supply a host-broadcaster for an event that had none. Human and technical resources were pooled to provide a premiere service and the outcome was remarkable.
London went to prove that quality work stands out, the images produced actually propelled the sport forward. Gymnastics spoke the language of its fans - on their turf and through their media.
Our first experience in London was limited to two days of Finals. It was a trial run, designed by communication experts to focus coverage on these two disciplines, though other FIG specialties will also be given You Tube channel time.
In London, FIG provided even more images to bolster the package generally offered by our broadcasting partners when they are at the head of production.
The Gym Channel is also an opportunity to extend our disciplines' visibility. It is a chance for us to bring every sector of gymnastics together on a single platform and to provide a package that is not only sustainable from a media standpoint, it is able to captivate an entire public, keep their attention, and entice commentators and sponsors alike.
A new era opened before us in London. A new chapter in our long history has begun.
With my compliments.
FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE
Prof Bruno Grandi, President
Lausanne (SUI) / FIG Office, February 1, 2012. BGR/phs/az
The message is very epic in tone -- in some ways Grandi seems to be saying that this shakes the foundations of the sport and nothing will ever be quite the same again. But he's right -- livestreaming meets that aren't picked up by big broadcasters like NBC, Universal Sports, the BBC, CBC, etc. will be huge for gymnastics.
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