Olympic Channel Broadcasts Artistic Gymnastics Finals in Montreal

(ATR) The 47th edition of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships is entering the final days of competition in Montreal.

The Olympic Channel began coverage of the world championships on Oct. 5 with the Men’s All-Around Finals where athletes from China earned a gold and silver medal. Coverage continues Friday evening with the Women’s All-Around Finals followed by the men’s and women’s Apparatus Finals on Oct. 7 and 8.

The competition is taking place at the Montreal Olympic Stadium, home of the 1976 Games where Nadia Comaneci became the youngest athlete to win a gold medal in the All-Around competition at the age of 14. Comaneci was the first athlete to earn a perfect 10 in the Olympics and earned seven throughout the competition.

Comaneci is on hand for gymnastics’ return to Montreal where a plaza has been dedicated in her honor adjacent to the Olympic Stadium. The Olympic champion is also the official spokesperson of the 2017 world championships.

"It’s a great source of pride for me as well as the entire international gymnastic community because gymnastics will henceforth be connected with the Olympic Stadium and city of Montreal," Comaneci said according to the Montreal Gazette. "I thank the Olympic Park for honoring us in this manner."

A recent case study carried out by the province of Quebec recommended that the Olympic Park where the stadium and Comaneci’s tribute are located should be deemed a heritage site. While some in Montreal view the Olympics with disdain for the amount of debt the city faced following the Games, the Olympic Stadium remains an iconic landmark. The case study showed that more than three million people visit the Olympic Park every year.

A study is also underway to replace the stadium’s roof which has faced difficulties over the years, including partial rips and pieces of debris falling. The incidents have caused no major injuries.

The return of the artistic championships to Montreal marks the first time the tournament has been in North America since 2003. Montreal also hosted the event in 1985.

Eleven world championship titles are still up for grabs moving into the final three days of competition.

The tournament began on Oct. 2 and concludes Oct. 8.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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