MAG ROUNDTABLE 2017-2020 Code of Points Facilitator: Steve BUTCHER FIG MTC President

The MTC President: Steve Butcher (USA)  Vice-Presidents: Liping HUANG (CHN), Hiroyuki TOMITA (JPN)  Members: Dr. Yoon Soo HAN (KOR); Julio MARCOS FELIPE (ESP); Holger ALBRECHT (GER); Arturs MICKEVICS (LAT). Athlete Representative: Jani TANSKANEN (FIN) All members are VOLUNTEERS & all have full-time jobs to support their families

Ground Rules for Today Each subject item will be introduced by the facilitator All conversation will be restricted to the items introduced This is not a debate. It is an open forum. Every attempt was made to include comments from everyone making a submission. Respect needs to be shown for all opinions voiced. No more than 3 minutes will be allotted to a speaker on a discussion item No more than 3 people may speak on a discussion item No decisions will be made today by the MTC This is the first opportunity to provide input for the Code and probably not the last There will be no mention of the federation or person submitting because many topics are duplicates.

MAG and WAG Please remember, any changes must be considered for WAG as well. The FIG EC has already required uniformity on many issues to help the media and public’s understanding of our sport.

Opening Question Archaev in his book suggests that the TCs lack accountability. In an era in which transparency in governance has taken on such primary importance, would the TCs consider recording and publishing transcripts of their meetings’ discussions/debates and if so, what obstacles might impede this broadening of communication?

Opening Question 2 Are there a set of “first” or fundamental principles that underlay the Codes and by which the TCs frame discussions regarding specific issues or decisions, and if so, what are they? Safety, Fair Play, Universality

Age of Junior gymnasts Was 14-18, Now 14-17 This is problematic. Many eighteen year olds get lost in the system trying to participate as seniors and many 14 year olds struggle trying to fit into a four year age bracket. Can a change be made? YOG uses 16-17

Universal Code of Points How will the FIG better follow this mission and make the Code more suitable for use by juniors and age group gymnasts?

Elements in the Code of Points That the utility of the Code of Points be enhanced, by re-introducing many of the basic and interesting elements that were removed.

Gymnast Safety What is being considered in regards to improving the safety conditions for the gymnasts? The present Code of Points seems to have the goal of testing the limits of human capacity.

Gymnast Safety 2 A ceiling should be established to eliminate the escalation of dangerous elements in order to be successful. This is supposed to be Artistic Gymnastics.

Return to the 10.0 The 10.0 is simple and understandable to everyone. Can we return to the 10.0? The complicated scoring system we have presently is confusing to the general public, media, and has forced both coaches and athletes to take unhealthy risks in order to be competitive. Artistry has been overshadowed by difficulty and no new interesting, yet simple elements have been introduced into the sport.

Number of Elements Can MAG move to 8 elements per exercise like WAG?

Virtuosity, Originality, & Artistry Can Virtuosity or Originality be brought back? Can Artistry be added, similar to WAG? Presently a majority of gymnasts are only focused on adding more difficulty and less on perfect execution.

Judging Process How can we simplify the judging process? There are so many types of elements where only two are permitted. (I call this Special Repetition) Can this be eliminated?

Element Groups  Can we move from 5 to 4 element groups per exercise?

Elements Groups Floor Exercise: Make a special requirement, to have perform two different double somersault elements from three existing - forwards I, backwards or Arabian. Require a double rotation salto (with or without twist)

Element Groups Pommel Horse: Add a Thomas/Flair element group

Element Groups Rings: Require more of a hold and not a stop on strength elements to receive value and the EG

Element Groups Vault Comment- The true vault champion should be able to execute one vault with a single salto (with or without twists) and the second vault with a double salto (with or without twists).

Element Groups Parallel Bars: Create an element group “to upper arms” Combine the Long Swing and Underswing element groups (the Long Swing group is very difficult for taller gymnasts)

Element Groups Horizontal Bar Add a requirement for flight elements with salto over the bar

Execution Deductions The range in which judges have for their execution score is too large. The range should be reduced. And the re-introduction of a 0.2 deduction should be included. Should the E deductions be doubled in order to add greater emphasis to execution

Connection Bonus This should be removed for FX and HB.

Floor Exercise Tracking the tumbling lines made by the gymnasts Currently done by the E judges Few able to keep track of gymnasts exceeding more than 2 times along the same diagonal. Can we consider using the line judge to perform this duty by recording the pattern?

RINGS Can a Rings timer be added to count the length of all hold elements? Presently it is almost impossible for a Rings E judge to record all possible deductions and also account for the hold times of elements.

We really appreciate your participation! Thank You We really appreciate your participation!