Image: ÖTB
The Gymnastics Federation is a guest in Wels in mid-July. The ÖTB state gymnastics festival, which takes place every four years, is again organized by the Wels gymnastics club after 67 years. A team of volunteers at WTV has been preparing for the four-day sports festival for weeks.
Over 1000 participants and supervisors have registered for the gymnastics festival. Several clubs from Germany have also announced their participation. 700 athletes aged ten to 84 fight for medals in numerous sports. Traditionally, not only sports are practiced at the state gymnastics festivals, but also singing – and that competitively.
The program includes individual and team competitions, from apparatus gymnastics to track and field and swimming to dancing and puzzles. Volleyball and tennis are also played. Steeplechase runners compete on the Reinberg in Thalheim at the Race4Evolution. Runners outside of the ÖTB clubs can also register for this competition.
The state gymnastics festival is one of the largest sporting events in Upper Austria. Spectators are welcome with free entry.
For a gymnastics festival of this size, many logistical challenges have to be overcome. The athletes sleep in schools in Wels and are provided with breakfast there by volunteers. During the competitions there will be refreshments in the gym on the Traun. The organizers ordered 9000 meals and 5000 deposit cups.
Program: Thursday, July 13: Youth singing/dancing competitions (Stadthalle), youth swimming competitions (Welldorado), opening and Get2gether. Friday, July 14: Gymnastics/track and field competitions (LA) for young people (Messehalle/Mauth Stadium), singing/dancing competitions for adults (Stadthalle), youth disco (WTV Festsaal). Saturday, 15th of July: Gymnastics competitions/LA adults (Messehalle/Mauth-Stadion), swimming adults (Welldorado), marching band concert (Stadtplatz), folk dance festival (Wels gymnasium). Sunday, 16th of July: Puzzle run and Race4Evolution (Turnerwiese), morning pint with lunchtime snacks (gym), closing ceremony (gym).
Source: Nachrichten
