USA Gymnastics joins the rest of the international gymnastics community in sending thoughts and prayers to the family of Bruno Grandi, who served as president of the International Gymnastics Federation from 1997-2016. He passed away earlier today at the age of 85, following an illness. During his tenure, Mr. Grandi initiated many progressive changes in the sport of gymnastics, including instituting minimum age requirements for international competition and putting in place the Academies program for training coaches on every continent.
Mr. Grandi’s career also included: member of Italy’s junior men’s team; president of the Italian Gymnastics Federation, 1977-2000; vice president of the Italian Olympic Committee, 1987-2005; and member of the International Olympic Committee, 2000-2004.
We appreciate Mr. Grandi’s passion, dedication and commitment to the sport in which he participated as an athlete, coach and administrator. Through his pioneering efforts, gymnastics extended its presence globally and became one of the top sports in the Olympic movement.