The USA delegation to the World Gymnaestrada
© Capelotti
The Opening Ceremonies for the World GymnaestradaDornbirn was held on July 8. The official USA Delegation of 386 members joined approximately 22,000 other participants from 57 countries for the grand March in, Ceremony, and display by the host country.
 
The USA flag bearer for this World Gymnaestrada was Toby Towson National Floor exercise champion, coach, choreographer, and judge. Toby is pictured with two other previous flag bearers, Lori Laznovsky and her father Larry.
 
The line-up outside of the stadium took about two hours. Despite the rain, all were eager and excited for the march-in to the field by country. The rain ceased just as the march-in started!
 
The Austrians performed a magnificant display of large group gymnastics and beautifully utilzed people of all ages, sizes and abilities showing a great diversity of gymnastics performance.
 
At the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony, the countries were efficiently transported back to their local cities, towns, and villages where they wehre hosted to special Welcome Parties.