Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 1:59 p.m.
Gonzalo García, a 16-year-old boy who practices group aesthetic gymnastics, has collected more than 12,000 signatures in three days on Change.org denouncing that a new “absurd and discriminatory” regulation makes it difficult for boys to participate in this sport. Gonzalo García is the only male member of his team, the Club Rítmica Cartagena, which last November won gold in the World Cup in the discipline, and he assures that this is why he is forced to stop competing.
«It has been incredible to represent Spain and feel the recognition of the sacrifice behind all of this. Unfortunately this will no longer be possible for me starting this next season due to this absurd and discriminatory new rule. I find it very sad that today, in 2024, we have to deal with things like this. It is time to change this unfair situation,” Gonzalo García wrote on Change.org/ QuieroCompetir.
«I have worked very hard for years to be better every day, overcome challenges and achieve my goals. However, today I face an unfair reality: a new regulation of aesthetic gymnastics that makes it difficult for boys to participate in this sport,” insists the young gymnast. He explains that in this last season, in order to compete in the mixed category, the participation of at least one boy was necessary, but that starting this year, for a mixed team to compete, it is mandatory to have at least two male members. “If this requirement is not met, the team will be disqualified and will not be able to participate in the competition,” he laments in his request.
“This rule is a big problem, since I am the only boy on my team,” laments who acknowledges that it is very difficult to find other young people interested in this sport. Through Change.org/ QuieroCompete Gonzalo García requests the board of directors of the IFAGG (International Federation of Group Aesthetic Gymnastics) to withdraw this rule “and work for egalitarian aesthetic gymnastics, where we can all compete together and on equal terms.” , regardless of our gender. “Equality and passion for sport must be above any rule that discriminates,” he claims to request more support.
