A new form to celebrate the beauty of artistic gymnastics is born in Thessaloniki: This weekend (November 10th – 11th), the 1st International Artistic Gymnastics Tournament “Horizon Cup” will gather at the National Stadium of Mikra the new generation of the sport, from all over Greece and from six European countries in total, putting the spotlight on the junior gymnasts.

Since Wednesday, November 7th, “Ioannis Melissanidis” Sports Hall has been welcoming the delegations from six countries (Greece, Russia, Belgium, Cyprus, Serbia, Slovenia) and a total of 90 up-and-coming boys and girls, who will enjoy a unique experience and will, indeed, broaden their horizons.

The preparations ahead of the event came to their highest point on Friday, November 9th, when the official Press Conference was held at “Alexandrio Melathro” Sports Hall, in the center of Thessaloniki. The President of the Organizing Committee and of the host AESGVE, mr. Christos Psathas, the President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation and Vice-President of the UEG, mr. Athanasios Vasiliadis, the Vice-Governor of Metropolitan Division of Thessaloniki – Central Macedonia Region, mrs. Voula Patoulidou, the Head Coach of Greece’s WAG National Team, mr. Kostas Hatzizisis, plus Russian legend Yuri Korolev, nine-time World Champion of the ‘80s and current coach at “Nikolai Tolkachev” Gymnastics School of Vladimir city, spoke about this new tournament, which is the first of its kind to be held on Greek soil.

“Horizon Cup” is organized by AESGVE (Athletic Gymnastics Clubs Union of Northern Hellas), with the support of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation and the Central Macedonia Region.
Boys born from 2004 to 2006 and girls born from 2005 to 2007 will participate in the tournament, which has also got some interesting Social Responsibility activities, in collaboration with the Organization “The Smile of the Child”.

ATLAS TV coverage of the Press Conference:

Public TV network ERT3, media partner of the “Horizon Cup”, covered the Press Conference:

Images from the Press Conference and from the training sessions at the National Stadium of Mikra (photos: Sotiris Pagalos – spagalos.gr):