Gymnastics aims to play a much more relevant role in the education of children around the world. With that vision in mind, World Gymnastics took an important step in Antalya, Turkey, where it brought together its School Curriculum Working Group to advance the development of a global program aimed at integrating this discipline into school Physical Education. Beyond competition and high performance, the initiative focuses on movement, confidence, inclusion and the development of healthy habits from an early age.

The project, directly supported by FIG President Morinari Watanabe and Vice President Suat Celen, seeks to build a common foundation that will allow schools from different contexts to incorporate gymnastics as a tool for physical literacy. The proposal aligns with UNESCO’s Quality Physical Education principles and aims for gymnastics to stop being seen only as a specialized discipline and become an accessible resource for all students.

A curriculum designed to develop skills and confidence

During the meeting held between March 13 and 15 in Antalya, the working group defined a first draft of the curriculum framework, focused on students between 5 and 12 years old. The proposal emphasizes fundamental skills such as balance, locomotion, rotation and strength, understanding that these abilities are the basis for physical development and participation in any sporting activity throughout life.

In addition to the content itself, the program includes support resources such as lesson plans, digital materials and specific guides for teachers. One of the most relevant points will be the training of non-specialist physical education teachers, who will be able to access a learning pathway that combines online education with practical workshops. Safety, accessibility and the ability to adapt activities to different school contexts appear as central elements of the project, which hopes to launch a pilot phase in selected countries starting in 2027.

International academies strengthen global training

World Gymnastics’ push for education and technical development was also reflected during March through the organization of Level 1 artistic gymnastics academies in Aruba and India. In Aruba, 40 participants from 14 different countries took part in an experience led by Mexican expert Lilia Ortiz, in an environment marked by the exchange of experiences and the building of networks among coaches and instructors from across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Later, attention shifted to Bhubaneswar, in India, where 50 coaches participated in a new academy led by Damien Millot. Beyond the technical content, both Ortiz and Millot highlighted the human value of these experiences, the support received from local organizations and the importance of creating shared learning spaces. In both cases, the academies helped reinforce the idea that the growth of gymnastics depends both on major international structures and on the everyday training of those who work directly with children, young people and future athletes.