Seven Artistic Gymnastics Judges Warned by FIG Disciplinary Commission

The International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) Disciplinary Commission has issued warnings to seven Artistic Gymnastics judges for scoring irregularities during the 2014 World Championships in Nanning (CHN).

As it does after every World Gymnastics Championships, following the 2014 World Artistic Championships in China, the FIG performed a deep analysis of the scores given by each judge in order to assure that the results were in compatibility with the current code of points.

This judges evaluation system rests notably on a sophisticated statistical analysis, which allows for the rapid detection of scoring deviations linked to various parameters, and on the comparison of scores from those obtained by a jury of experts following a video review of routines.

This analysis permits the FIG to recognise the excellent work accomplished by the vast majority of judges at the Nanning World Championships. However, some of the scores given by 14 judges appeared biased or unsatisfactory, which led the FIG to open disciplinary proceedings against them.

After hearings held in September at FIG Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), the Disciplinary Commission dismissed seven of the cases. The seven remaining judges — five from Men’s Artistic Gymnastics and two from Women’s Artistic — received warnings, urging them to “pay closer attention” in future competitions.

World Gymnaestrada Helsinki: FIN 2015: Tim Dannenberg © Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique

Following notification of their sanctions, each judge has 21 days to appeal.

Knowing that the results in Gymnastics are based on human judgement, the International Gymnastics Federation has strengthened both its judges training program and scoring analysis system in order to assure that judges meet the level of excellence required of them at international competitions.

FIG Disciplinary Commission Sanctions Aerobic And Acrobatic Gymnastics Judges

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) recognised the excellent work of a total of 26 judges at the 2014 World Championships and Youth Olympic Games across all disciplines (FIG reported).

However, in the context of the thorough review of the judging at last year’s Aerobic and Acrobatic World Championships, a number of judges had to be referred to the FIG Disciplinary Commission.

The commission states that “it is crucial for the sport of Gymnastics that judges are at all times acting and seen to be acting in an independent and unbiased manner. This is reflected in the Judges Oath (as set out in Reg. 7.12.1 TR) which states: ‘In the name of all the Judges and officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these World Championships with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them in the spirit of sportsmanship.’ Any judge who fails to act in this manner damages the image of Gymnastics both in the eyes of the public and, also importantly, in the eyes of the gymnasts, coaches and other judges upon whose continuing participation the sport of Gymnastics and therefore the future of the FIG itself is dependent.”

In this matter, the FIG Disciplinary Commission has given warnings to five judges (two AER; three ACRO) for biased judging and has excluded six judges (two AER; four ACRO) from participating in any FIG activities or other international events for periods ranging from six to 12 months.

The sanctioned judges have the right to appeal the decision rendered by the FIG Disciplinary Commission to the FIG Appeal Tribunal.