Abstract des Autors

Competitive gymnastics has been in existence in South Africa for more than a century. Gymnastic clubs were founded during the second half of the 19th century in various centres in the country. Such clubs were established essentially at the insistence of immigrants of aliens who were in South Africa for economic, military or other reasons. The first club, the Port Elizabeth Gymnastic Club, was founded in 1876, although British soldiers spontaneously practised the sport in Cape Town prior to that date. The Wanderers Gymnastic Society and the Pretoria Gymnastiekvereeniging [sic], founded in 1889 and 1898 respectively, were eventually instrumental in the foundation of the South African Gymnastic Union in 1931. After the establishment of the National Advisory Board for Physical Education and Recreation in 1937, the eventual development of gymnastics was influenced to a great extent by the positive attitude of the government. This resulted, inter alia, in visits by Danish and Swiss gymnastic teams in 1939 and 1947 respectively. The South African Gymnastic Union affiliated with the International Gymnastics Federation in 1947, and Springbok gymnasts made their first appearance at the Olympic Games in 1952. As a result of international sport isolation due to South Africa's domestic policy, Springbok gymnasts participated for the last time in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in 1960 and 1966 respectively. Continued international contact and delicate diplomacy have meant that gymnastics has retained its membership of the world body and ensured international competition, although not adequate, for Springbok gymnasts. Verf.-Referat