The Barbados Amateur Gymnastic Association held its first invitational gymnastics competition on 21st April 2012. The event was held not only in the superb surroundings of Concorde’s hanger, but the airplane hadn’t been removed meaning that participants and spectators watched a lively event under the wings of a superstar.
Under the coaching of Alison Jackson,Team Barbados and her Flip Gym teams earned many gold, silver and bronze medals.
Seven other teams from Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago added to the efficiently run competition.
Professional judges operating under USAG rules with quick scoring through electronic systems provided the competitors and audience with up to date information.
Many of the gymnasts were competing at levels 1 through 5 with a handful at levels 6 & 7, with just Barbados’s top gymnast, LaToya Ince, at level 9.
Events were held simultaneously in vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise and pommel horse. The parallel bars and the men’s and women’s artistic events brought both enthusiasm and applause from the audience.
This possible annual event brings Canadian Ms Jackson’s Barbadian 20 year’s gymnastics association to the forefront. With over 250 local gymnasts regularly participating and 40 making the national team squad, the future looks very good.
With an entry fee of just BDS$10 and programmes at only BDS$5, the admission prices ensured a full attendance allowing the spectators to make sufficient noise to show their support for their favourite individual and team performances. Events ran from 9am to almost 10pm providing excellent value for spectators, but hard work for the gymnastics association and volunteers.
Countless individuals provided some excellent athletic performances, which provided entertainment to many spectators at their first gymnastics event. The enthusiasm of the audience to applaud great skills from the gymnasts of all teams and countries was a great show of Barbadian friendliness.
The exciting location at the Barbados Concorde Experience will bring tourists and locals to spend the day looking around Concorde, even when the gymnastics are long gone.
