Belgian Gymnastics Federation celebrates 150th anniversary

The Royal Belgian Gymnastics Federation was established 150 years ago, making it the oldest sports federation in Belgium. The Federation is celebrating the milestone with special events throughout the year, reports Het Nieuwsblad. The association has nearly 130,000 members active in artistic or rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatics, trampoline, tumbling, aerobics or fitness.

While there’s generally more interest from young people in Flanders to join a gymnastics club, the sport is also gaining popularity in Brussels and Wallonia. The Federation’s two branches, one French-speaking and the other Dutch-speaking, have joined forces to organise this year's events which start on 25 May with a Family Gym Day at Walibi amusement park.

More upcoming events include the Belgian Artistic Gymnastics Championship on 28 and 29 March and the European Artistic Gymnastics Championship from 15 to 19 April in France.

The Federation was founded in 1865 by Nicolas Cuperus, who also became the first president of the International Gymnastic Federation.