Shortly before the start of the first final competition at the Gymnastics World Championships Stuttgart 2019, the organisers of the German Gymnastics Federation and Swabian Gymnastics Federation gave a half-time update on proceedings.

“We are extremely satisfied with the course of the Worlds so far, which has triggered great enthusiasm,” summarised DTB-President Dr. Alfons Hölzl. “More than 50,000 spectators attended the qualifying competitions, and we expect the same number again in the next few days at the finals. The knowledgeable and fair Stuttgart spectators will inspire the athletes with a unique atmosphere and will present a fascinating picture of gymnastics. The fact that our gymnastics team has achieved the sporting goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games for both men and women fits in with this positive interim result and is of course enormously important for our federation”.    

For the 14 titles coming up at these Worlds, the gymnasts can count on full halls. The five German finalists are appearing in seven events.

STB President Wolfgang Drexler referred to the motto of the Championships: “Our sustainable concept works to set new signs for gymnastics! The proof: 4,500 pupils from the school action day came to watch in the hall yesterday, and then actively took part next door at ‘School in Motion’. We have succeeded in conveying the fun of such positive movement experiences, which we will continue to take to schools. During our somersault action on the Schlossplatz we counted exactly 2019 somersaults yesterday from midday to 2pm!”

The third Stuttgart Artistic Gymnastics World Championships is also marked by the appreciation of the participating athletes. This includes the great response of the spectators, the incomparable atmosphere in the Schleyer-Halle and the presentation of the gymnasts, from whom you get a lot of positive feedback. In this context, the STB President presented the extraordinary medals. “Not only the most beautiful of an Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, but probably also the most technically innovative medals of all time”.

The medals, created with partner Bernd Kußmaul and minted in MintBW, are not only of extraordinary design, but they even glow when worn. The highly complex motion sensor system, which activates the unique lighting effect when the medals are moved, and also makes the ribbon glow, was installed in the smallest of spaces in the 385 gram medals.

In keeping with the sustainability efforts, the ribbon was made from recycled PET plastic bottles. The battery built into the medal can be charged via a micro-USB connection. With KUSSMAUL in overall responsibility for the medal, six other companies from the State of Baden-Württemberg were involved in the production of the unique medals for the Stuttgart 2019 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. 

The first set of the coveted medals will be awarded this evening at the women’s team final.