Trampoline History
Historic Merger Paves the Way for Trampoline in the 2000 Olympics
On
January 1, 1999, the sports of Trampoline, Tumbling and Double
Mini-Trampoline became part of the International Gymnastics Federation
(FIG). The former federation for these sports, the International
Trampoline Federation (FIT), voted in October to merge with FIG.
This was the first time in the history of the International Olympic
Committee that two international federations have merged.
The merger opened the door for trampoline to become an official medal event in the 2000 Olympics. There will be 24 athletes competing in individual trampoline competition, 12 men and 12 women. Negotiations are also taking place to have synchronized trampoline included in the 2000 Olympics.
Celebrating the historic vote of USA Trampoline & Tumbling
are (L-R) Ron Froehlich, President of the International Trampoline
Federation; Bob Colarossi, Executive Director of USA Gymnastics;
Ann Sims, Executive Director of USA Trampoline & Tumbling;
and Paul Parilla, President of USA Trampoline & Tumbling
Ron Froehlich (USA), President of FIT since 1990, was unanimously elected by the FIT Congress to represent the FIT in the FIG Executive Committee and the FIG Council. Heinz Kunz (GER), was elected chairman of the first FIG Technical Commission for Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Trampoline.
World Championships will be held in the uneven years. The three disciplines (synchronized trampoline, tumbling, double mini-trampoline) will be able to participate. Individual trampoline will be ineligible, due to its acceptance as an Olympic sport.
The FIG will be committed to promoting and developing these disciplines, just as they do the disciplines already under their control. Many more nations will start to participate in trampoline, and possibly in tumbling and double mini-tramp. The FIG has more than 120 member nations, whereas the FIT currently has 44.
The organization of trampoline sports in each country will probably change. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIG will only deal with one federation per nation, but trampoline sports could stay separate within a nation as long as the gymnastics body and the sports council in that nation are happy with this situation. In this case, only minor administrative changes would be required. It is the gymnastics body that the FIG and IOC will deal with/through.
L-R: Ann Sims, Executive Director, USA Trampoline & Tumbling;
Tim Schlosser, Director of Marketing, USA Trampoline & Tumbling
On January 1, 1999 USA Trampoline & Tumbling (USATT) merged with USA Gymnastics (USAG). Following are some of the ramifications of the merger:
- USAG, with 90,000 members, over 50 employees, and an annual budget of $12-$13 million is now the national governing body (NGB) for Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Tramp. USATT, which presently has 5,700 members and 3 employees is now under the umbrella of USAG.
- Every decision made will be related to one of three goals: Visibility - Growth - Medals.
- Marketing of trampoline will become the responsibility of USAG's in-house marketing agency, designated the "Properties Division." This division includes a public relations department, a merchandise department, and a commercial department (corporate sponsors, licensing, promotions and special events, television, and internet).
- Members will receive the same benefits as USAG members. There are six different membership affiliations, each one providing benefits based on specific needs of their diverse members.
- Trampoline will be treated within the USAG Bylaws exactly the same as the other three existing programs (Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, General Gymnastics).
(from ITIA Newsletter; Vol.. 1, Issue 1; Winter 1999; Lani Lokendahle)