After over 12 months of postponed or rescheduled competitions, fans of gymnastics can put a date in their diary for the thrilling World Artistic Gymnastics Championships from 29 October to 6 November 2022. Over the course of the exhilarating 9 days of competition, there are 11 separate sessions - including 5 qualifiers and 6 finals – giving spectators ample opportunity to see some of the world’s finest gymnasts. Men will compete in floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, parallels bars, horizontal bar, and vault. Women will compete in vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
Last week saw Basel host the European Artistic Championships in front of a virtual audience: unfortunately, no spectators were permitted to attend but could purchase a ticket to watch the gymnasts from the comfort of their own home, while also being able to participate by being seen and heard on the big screen within the arena.
The action was not without its shocks, as GB-favourite Max Whitlock MBE failed to qualify for the pommel horse final, unexpectedly clearing the path for some incredible young talents to show their mettle. It was fantastic to see the reigning junior world champion, Viktoria Listunova take her first senior international crown, confirming her position as one to watch for next year’s World Championships.
In recent weeks, there has been some uncertainty surrounding the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. This will no doubt be on the minds of all athletes including gymnasts, who already know there will be no fans from their own nations cheering them on at the world’s biggest sporting event. Those involved in gymnastics have had to evolve to be able to perform without that support, but they surely anticipate the fans’ return as much as we do. Recognisable names such as the unstoppable Simone Biles are expected to be among the 550 gymnasts competing at the World Championships 2022.
The welcoming nature and sporting passion of Liverpudlians will make the Merseyside city the perfect host for the championships. After a difficult year for Liverpool – being excessively hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – the opening of ticket sales for sporting events provides a light at the end of the tunnel.
