体坛英语新闻：Interview: Gymnastics can be made entertaining like NBA, says FIG Vice President

NANNING, China, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Vice President Slava Corn believes gymnastic competitions can be made more spectator friendly like NBA in future.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Xinhua during the 45th World Gymnastics Championships in Nanning City, south China' s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Corn showed her ambitions to develop the sport, which is usually technically hard to understand for audiences, more world-wide and entertaining.` "Technically, gymnastics is very hard for the audiences to fully understand it. So in the future, we want the audiences to come and watch the spectacular gymnastics, but also a good show," said Corn in her office at Guangxi Sports Center.

"Like in NBA games (basketball league), there are entertainment elements to let the audiences all engaged. In gymnastics, we can also use videos and other instruments to let people know how they cheering and what is the sport all about. That's something we have to work on," she added.

From Nanning, it can be a good start for the change. The 4,000-seat venue were always fully packed during the past four-day competitions.

"Here, by using the video, some of the engagement of audiences are good," said Corn.

NANNING SETS OLYMPIC STANDARD

Recognizing more than 30 years of involvement in the sport of gymnastics, Slava Corn had been in Tianjing in 1999 when the World Gymnastics Championships were held in China for the first time.

"FIG are extremely happy that the competitions are back in china. Fifteen years ago, it was the first time in Tianjin. The difference in the deliver and organize of the event is phenomenal," said the smiling Corn.

It is the first time for Nanning City and also Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to have staged on an International high-class sports event, the Gymnastics Championships.

During these days, there are non-stop shuttle buses between each stop of the Sports Center, running from the dining-room, competition venue to training hall and Main Press Center. In the media dinning-hall, there are delicious buffet including European chips and fries, Chinese dishes and free soft drinks, which only cost 10 RMB (about one euros) per person.

Everyone involved in the event seems happy, according to Corn, helping the smooth-running of the competitions.

"Players have no complaints about training, buses and meals because everything is organised. Then, everything is fine," said She.

She also felt that it was like the Olympics. "To me the deliver of this championships is liked to be Olympic events. If there are other sports here, then it's the Olympics. So it is the Olympic standard, we are happy."

SAME STATUS AS ATHLETICS

Track and field has an nickname as "the mother of sport". Corn believes, gymnastics also has the same and important role.

"They are all fundamental sports, like pillars," said Corn, referring to the athletics, gymnastics and swimming.

As an traditional sport, nowadays, gymnastics may be not as popular as before, but its legacy can still be seen in each community as people still call some fitness centre as "Gym" or "Gymnasium" in English.

"Gymnastics has many apparatus. In vault, it trains your power. On the beam, it's about balance and focus. At the high bar, it is the swing. Theses are all the different ways."

Like all other sports, gymnastics can leave a lifetime legacy for people.

"The best legacy is that sportsman have the ability to gain skills good for life not just sport. When they get a job in society, they have a character that sport help them build. They will be good people," said Corn, adding that it is the true value of sports and physical education.

In the modern days, it is gradually hard to arouse the interests of children to choose a sport along their grow-ups.

"It's not the problem only for China. We have to work on to make children see the excellency of sport. They know they have to work for something to be dedicated to, to be fully committed to."

On how to find a sustainable way to select and train young gymnasts, Corn thinks there could be a balance between school PE lessons and community clubs.

"People can do recreational sport in more organized way outside school. You know for the fitness club, where little children can play soccer or other sports in community. The organise can keep people active. It may develop well in China."

After four-day qualifications, the Nanning World Gymnastics Championships will officially raise curtain on Tuesday night, when the team event final will also be staged on.

"You will see the eight best. That will be one spectacular competition for team event. It will be a fight. Of course, (fight) in the mix zone too," said Corn with a smile, referring to the record number of 650 journalists here.