Corbeil-Essonnes - 12-14 mai 2006

[Guillermo]

It's good to read different opinions on this board, and I also think many people won't miss my work (not me) in any competition. That's fine. because it frees me from a lot of self-imposed responsability. I receive many e-mails from all around the world asking me to go on showing the events, so that they can at least have a look of what happens in RSG, because there's no other way to get those images as long as TV doesn't imply itself.

Knowing your opinion is really interesting, though I don't understand the tone you are using because I never intended to offend anybody, only to say what is a truth and what has been long discussed among press people. Of course there must be rules for all of us, and they do actually exist in all events, but nowhere so inconsistent like in Corbeil, where today you can go here, tomorrow no, this man can go where he wants because he's a friend and you can't because you're not. Such things makes us go crazy and led us to stay away from this competition.

I'm absolutely sure that you won't have as many videos of Corbeil as I'd have provided or like Thomas D. used to, because usually the girls of group C and B are sadly forgotten and go unnoticed. Anyhow, though I respect your opinion, I do not share it. Even the president of the organizing club told us that it was a shame for them with the amateur but hard (supposed) security. He told us that if he was the one to organize not only the sport activities but also security, things would be different for everybody, audience, press, etc.

By the way, I think that from the sports side, Corbeil is one of the biggest events in RSG and with more tradition, no doubt at all. Gymnasts and coaches complain about the training conditions and the absence of a high ceiling, but at the end they keep coming every year. That means a lot for a Tournament that gathers more gymnasts than the WC itself sometimes.

And I was speaking in name of Esther, Sing Lo, Tom, because we are close friends and we have discussed this issue a thousand times and we are all sad about it. It's nice to see that you only talk about me me among these others, but I really do think many people would miss the wonderfull work of these photographers, which are without any doubt among the very, very best of the world in RSG. And they are working to a loss of money, don't forget this, to show you the beauty of this sport, as I do.

Well, thank you for your contribution anyhow.

Guillermo

[Mili]

HappyGirl,
I can only suppose by your words that you were in the organizing comittee, cause you simply can't be a photographer or a press member with that green card! I met someone there who just moved once to have a better view of the chinese team (that he knows very well), and he was taken his green card and had to pay then his tickets

Moreover, I was helping this year during 2 days (as i was last year) and nobody thanked us, told us how everything was going, nor gave us something to eat (we helped from 18h to 23h)
they just propose to some of use to get a reduction for the tickets and it was a big favour!!

for me, the results were fair, all the competition was really great on the carpet
but outside, super bad!

Mili
_________________
If Gymnastics were easy, it would be called football!

http://www.rgmax.gr.st

[lili]

I simply DO agree with mili
the organization was pretty bad it's a shame for such a tournament!
beeing a volunteer that year was a chore we were not treated as we would deserve for being helpful ( as if we should be happy to work and be able to watch some gyms freely AND JUST SHUT UP)
no thanks nothing i have just one thing to say next year i wont be there and to anybody who wanted to be a volunteer should follow my advice simply dont do it
except that the competition was quite interresting but that problem of organization spoilt everything
and i simply dont care about what people who dont agree with me think
that's all

[Esther TM]

Happygirl and

I don't care who you are. I just tell you that Guillermo can speak in my name about this competition in Corbeil.

NOTE: From all I'm going to say, M. THIERRY BEAU is excluded. He is a very nice and kind man. I also exclude M. le Maire de Corbeil, who had a big detail with us in 2003.

I was twice in Corbeil and I'll never go again, First year 2003, we thought that is was just a "bad year" and gave it a try again in 2004, because there are many interesting gymnasts competing in Corbeil.

But 2004, was the worst experience I ever had at a competition. We were constantly harrassed by the security man, btw some of these get drunk in the breaks between the groups and don't look after our equipment at all.

I was followed by one of them into the womens' restroom, because maybe I would do there something else than just peeing!!! After that it was clear that this competition would be eliminated from my calender.

After all I saw, I can only say that Corbeil looks to me as the private feud of an older man who likes young girls very much. Or how can you explain that this one is standing the whole competition in front of the gymnasts' tribune looking at the girls (oh, sorry he is a security guard) instead of looking at the comp? Or why this man kissed a Chinese gymnast from behind on the front? He came from behind, she didn't notice him and he kissed her!!!!!!! I saw this with my own eyes at the party in 2004.
I think that those people want to make us (the press) our life impossible there so that we won't go again in order to do what they want and nobody will report it, film it or take pictures. I think this man (and some others) are jealous because we (the photographers) know a lot of gymnasts personnally, the girls come to talk with us (at least in Corbeil they try but the ugly man tries to stop them).

I have no time now to tell everything what happened again, but if some of you feels offended but what Guillermo or me are saying, write me a PM and I'll give you my phone number and we can discuss the issues.

Esther

[Canuck]

http://www.ffgym.com/res_compet/06_gr_corbeil/resultats.htm

[cloggy]

Anyone got the FULL results. struggling to find them!!!

[RSGFan01]

[happygirl]

Mili " tu as tout faux ". I absolutely don't belong to the organizing comittee. I am F.I.G. Observer.
Escalina & RSGFan01, you said you miss the work of Guillermo.That is your right.I can understand that. But this has nothing to do with the Tournament of Corbeil.
Esther, if you have lived a bad experience until the restroom with a crazy man, you have to claim to the President of Organizing comitee or to the Police.You can find such crazy man in the street, in all countries.
But this has nothing to do with the Tournament of Corbeil.

Nobody has the right to shut down the reputation of the Best International Tournament in the World, for personal reason, it's own pride, it's own comfort or it's own interest.
Have you thought one second why all the best gymnasts want to come in Corbeil Tournament ?
The only one Tournament in the World, able to welcome Gymnasts from more than 40 countries.
The Organisation of Corbeil is made ABOVE ALL, for the World Best Gymnasts.
It's not made for the press or some private photographers.
This TOURNAMENT is existing from 33 Years. Some of you were not born.
it has been organized 32 times, with 34 Winners : 14 times for Bulgaria, 10 times for Russia, 9 times for Ukraine, 1 time for Belarus.
NO R.G. TOURNAMENT in the World has already been won by such quantity of High Level Gymnasts = 3 Olympic champions, 11 World Champions, many European champions.
Gymnasts from ALL 5 Continents of this Earth are coming. Many others would like to come.
So, the Reputation of this Tournament has been made by the Organizers , for ALL of these GYMNASTS, but not for some people who dream to go freely everywhere as if they were in their own home.

And realize that these high level gymnasts are not coming to be taken in video or pictures , but they are coming to meet all the other high level gymnasts.

Conclusion : it's not the private press or photographers who are going to made the rules in the organization.
Same for Mili & Lili. ,you have to realize that the organization is made for these High Level Gymnasts , not for the volonteers, because without Gymnasts you, the photographers, and me, we are nothing, and you wouldn't come .

The people who claim as some of you, are 1% of the audience. 99% went back home with a wonderful memory of this week-end.
Corbeil Essonnes Tournament will definitively stay a GREAT Competition.

[dirkz]

Hi!

I returned from Corbeil yesterday late in the evening. It was my 4th trip there and I finally decided not to go again to this competition (at least not as photographer). Now I think I was a bit blind before I went there because I knew that many friends will come to Corbeil and I expected to talk to all of them but I didn't want to remember that the organisation and security of this competition make this simply impossible. After 4 days I finally could say hello to Anahi for example. Others who tried to come to the press area were not allowed to go. Journalist can't cross the way of the deligations because of the security restrictions. It is also forbidden to enter the official hotel and meet somebody - last year I was kicked out by a man about Esther wrote...
I don't know why they do it like this - maybe something happened during these 32 years that they have a reason to do so but it's strange that they protect friends from each other. Of course, they can't know how good some people know each other but if it seems that one person takes an advantage for his own relationships to the different countries then something is wrong.
If I go again to Corbeil then I will do it only as a part of a delegation but we'll see. There are other more friendly competitions.

Dirk

P.S.: I want to thank Barny who made it possible for me to stay at his stand during break where all the other people had to leave the hall and wait outside. I also want to thank Mr. Beau who could change some of our wishes into reality and made the competition a bit more friendly. He is a very nice person.

[Mili]

happygirln i just have something to tell you:
bravo bravo for such comments

Mili
_________________
If Gymnastics were easy, it would be called football!

http://www.rgmax.gr.st

[Guillermo]

[onabuffy]

[Esther TM]

[dirkz]

...that thing about playing with my equipment in 2004 I wanted to write in my next pose but I still can't forgive it. How can a security guy go to my things and play with a 9500 € toy just without asking me. I still have no words about that and it never happened somewhere else in thw world.
The sam guy called me always "Allemand!" or this year first "Helmut!" until I said again my real name.... No more comments.
Dirk

[happygirl]

Guillermo, don't lock yourself up in your resentment. Have a larger view,not only this of the press.
I have written :
" ....of the audience. 99% went back home with a wonderful memory of this week-end. ".....because on this board , it's not the audience who claims the most often.
and you answer = " ...I think you forgot the audience"...

onabuffy = If you were high level gymnast you would understand why it's necessary to give them a close security./
Don't think only of your pleasure to be near a champion, or to take a picture with her.

People who cannot understand that seems not better than a football supporter.

For Esther & Dirk, what happened is very regrettable, and that will be said , for sure, until the high responsible of the City of Corbeil.
But one more time, that prove that the security around the gymnasts is necessary, everywhere, from the Competition Hall to the Hotel.

Bad men , unfortunately ar in all countries, even among policemen, that's why we have to take care.
Concerning the Competition itself, Corbeil stays the greatest off course.