(ATR)Speaking withAround the Rings,key players in the Olympic Movement discuss the future of the Olympic Games.
Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, tells ATR that the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships will be a "coming out party" for the sport's next star.Penny weighed in on the road to Rio 2016, the 2015 worlds, and even Tokyo 2020's proposed additional events.
The 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championshipsstarted on Oct. 23 in Glasgow.The event marks the first of two opportunities for gymnasts to advance to Rio 2016. The top eight teams will qualify for the Olympics.
Additionally, any individual event medalists who are not on a qualifying team for the Olympics or Olympic test event will book a ticket to Rio.
In other news, the organization representing Olympic athletes from past Games is trying to be a bigger player in the Olympic movement.
The World Olympians Association ended its latest general assembly in Moscow last week where steps were taken to make the organization run on a professional level without the financial stress of years gone by.
The WOA held an inaugural forum on Oct. 21 meant to help the grassroots of the organization become more active and effective. Russian President Vladimir Putin put in an appearance and short speech.
Around the Rings editor Ed hula was a panelist for one of the sessions and he followed the WOA assembly.
Looking ahead, local leaders in Washington D.C. tell ATR that they want the over 1,200 sports figures attending the 2015 ANOC General Assembly to see the city in a new light.
"Washington D.C. is a sports town, not just a political town," Sunil Sabharwal, chairman of the D.C. host committee for the ANOC assembly, said in speaking with ATR on Tuesday.
Bob Sweeney, president of the local host committee, echoed Sabharwal's sentiments.
"This is an opportunity to get leaders in sport to understand that Washington is not just what they see on CNN every night.We can make a difference in the world through sport."
Delegates from the IOC, the Association of National Olympic Committees, and 206 NOCs will gather in D.C. for this year's general assembly, Oct. 29-30.
Written and produced byNicole Bennett
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