ROTTERDAM (NED), FIG Office, October 23, 2010: The cultural tradition of bestowing a prize for elegance has existed in gymnastics since 1997 (Rhythmic Worlds in Berlin, Germany) when Swiss watchmaker Longines associated the brand to Russian gymnast Yanina Batyrchina. Since that time, Longines has been graciously rewarding the most elegant athletes of the circuit.

In Rotterdam, the Longines Jury* was captivated with the artistic content demonstrated by Japan’s Rie Tanaka and Germany’s Philipp Boy.

Both gymnasts personify the artistic side of gymnastics, where an athlete brings his routine full circle by putting his own personal stamp on technique and choreography.
Rie and Philipp are today the proud recipients of Longines’ grace.

*Walter von Kaenel, Longines President; Prof. Bruno Grandi, FIG President; Carel Emelot, Longines Brand Manager; and Fieke Willems, gymnast.

A voice for the press

The numerous journalists and photographers present in Rotterdam were also requested to predict the recipient of the Longines prize. FSG Press Chief Renate Ried (SUI) and Mateusz Slodkowski of the Polish agency Nicesport won the lady and gent timepieces furnished by Longines. Profoundly moved and surprised by his victory, Mateusz confided that he himself had once been a gymnast on Poland’s national team. He trained alongside Blanik Lescek in Gdansk before ceasing all competitive activity due to injury.