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Feb 22, 2008
2008 Induction Event in Oklahoma City
 On February 9, 2008 the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame formally inducted four gymnasts and one Order of Merit honoree, each of whom represented our sport and their country in a most magnitificant manner. Our host, Hall of Famer's, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci welcomed the inductees to Oklahoma City and to the Hall of Fame. It was a wonderful evening, well attended by guests from all corners of the globe. This marked the 12th formal induction and the portraits of all the inductees are prominently displayed in our space at the OmniPlex in Oklahoma City. It is a most impressive wall of fame and the new inductees are thrilled to be among those who have been inducted in prior years. Over the last twelve years, 64 of our sports’ greatest stars and contributors, representing 19 countries, have been formally inducted into the Hall of Fames’ elite group. This also marks the fifth year for the Internation Order of Merit award representing great achievement in noncompetitive aspects of gymnastics. Five honorees from 4 nations have been inducted. The next induction is planned for May of 2009. Those honored this year are shown in the photo. L-R (Shuji Tsurumi (JPN), Ludwig Schweizer (IOM-GER) , Bart Conner (Host, USA), Nadia Comaneci (ROM), Lilia Podkopayeva (UKR), Ma Yanhong (CHN) and Stoyan Deltchev (BUL). Inductees: · Ma Yanhong (CHN), · Stoyan Deltchev (BUL) · Lilia Podkopayeva (UKR) · Shuji Tsurumi (JPN). The International Order of Merit (IOM) recipient: · Ludwig Schweizer, Universität of Freiburg, (GER) Watch for complete coverage of the induction event in the March issue of IG Magazine. http://www.intlgymnast.com/Read the The Associated Press release in: International Herald Tribune- Ukraine's Podkopayeva, three others enter Internatioinal Gymnastics Hall of Fame - (Sunday, February 10, 2008) http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/10/sports/NA-SPT-GYM-Hall-of-Fame.php
Dec 19, 2007
Friendship Presentation
 In recognition of our 10th Anniversary Induction (2006) the National Gymnastics Federation of Switzerland thoughtfully sent the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame a special gift symbolizing the long standing friendship between Switzerland the United States. It was a magnificent hand-make Swiss music box, which was quite modern as one could change the music by changing a disc; a new innovation, with an exquisite exterior of inlaid wood design.  The gift was presented to our Hall of Fame to serve as a reminder of the past great Swiss gymnasts as well as the friendship between our two countries. To present the music box at the formal induction dinner the Swiss also sent a charming representative, Ms. Noelle Frey (Switzerland). If the name is familiar it is because her father, Hanspeter Frey has attended previous inductions and been a great friend to the IGHOF, even going back some years to the US Gymnastics Federation, during it’s formative years. The music box is displayed in our new location at the Oklahoma City, OmniPlex.
Oct 30, 2007
Special Friends: Dan and Janna Poland
 
From the very beginning, the XXth World Gymnastics Championship held in Fort Worth, Texas was destined to be remarkable. The young gymnasts of today will not recall that this was the first ever World Championship outside of Europe. Jamile (Jay) Ashmore and Frank Bare already had selected Tarrant County Convention Center as the best possible site for the 1979 event when the Federation of International Gymnastics awarded the championship to the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF). As preparations began, the Fort Worth community responded beyond expectations to the request “for all the assistance that could be mustered” to make the first ever World Championship held in the United States successful. Among those many wonderful people who “answered the call” were Dan and Janna Poland.
After the first meeting with the Tarrant County Convention Center CEO, Mr. Lou Owens, USGF organizers knew their choice of host city and venue were perfect. Discussions were held and plans were made. Bare was assigned the political/social aspects of the XXth World Championships and Ashmore was named the Event Director. When Bare and Ashmore immediately turned their attention to locating volunteers, they sought the assistance of Fort Worth’s Junior Women’s League and met the unique, high energy, one and only Janna Poland. This dynamo of a lady and her husband, Dan, long-time residents of Fort Worth, had always been involved in community and were an invaluable source of information and direction as arrangements for the 1979 event were made. Janna mobilized 800 volunteers who generously gave their time and energy. With the magnanimous, selfless help of the Poland’s, the Junior Women’s League and many others, the XXth World Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth remains one of the most successful, well planned and directed championships in the history of gymnastics. Dan and Janna became friends of gymnastics, a friendship that endures today. Once again Janna Poland demonstrated her support for gymnastics when the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame moved to its new location in Oklahoma City at the OmniPlex.
Labels: Special Friends of IGHOF
Sep 9, 2007
Moments in History: Jack Gunthard's Gold
 Jack Gunthard’s Gold WC Medal
During his 1997 induction ceremony, Jack Gunthard (Switzerland) presented the Hall of Fame with his treasured World Championship gold medal. This presentation surprised not only the host, as well as all those present, as first a hush fell over the room followed by a standing ovation for such a heartfelt gesture. It was a magnificent gift and represented both Switzerland and Jack personally at the highest level expressing deep appreciation for the Hall of Fame and it goals. This memorable moment in Hall of Fame history will never be forgotten.
This World Championship gold medal is prominently displayed along with his photograph in the Hall of Fame.
'Moments in History'
-711134.jpg) Gift from Slovenian Newspaper 'National Daily Delo', of 1924 Olympic champion Leon Stukelj During the weekend of the Fifth (2001) Annual Induction in Oklahoma City, the Slovenian National Daily Delo (newspaper) presented the Hall of Fame with a sculpture by Mirsad Begic of 1997 inductee Leon Stukelj, the 1924 Olympic champion who passed away on November 8, 1999, four days shy of his 101st birthday. Members of the Slovenia Gymnastics delegation as well as 1999 inductee Miroslav Cerar of Slovenia retuned to Oklahoma for this presentation. Labels: Moments in History
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On February 9, 2008 the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame formally inducted four gymnasts and one Order of Merit honoree, each of whom represented our sport and their country in a most magnitificant manner. Our host, Hall of Famer's, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci welcomed the inductees to Oklahoma City and to the Hall of Fame. It was a wonderful evening, well attended by guests from all corners of the globe.
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