Halos 400 gymnast mula sa 12 bansa ang sasabak sa 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships na magsisimula ngayong Miyerkules sa Tagaytay CT Velodrome.
Ang torneo, na may temang “Leap, Dance, One Asia,” ay inorganisa ng Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) at may basbas ng Asian Gymnastics Union.
Ang aero gymnastics ay magkahalong sayaw at acrobatics.
“We are all excited over the staging of this event, which promises to be an entertaining and dynamic festival symbolizing the harmony, unity and camaraderie that sports can achieve among our Asian aerobic gymnasts even in a competitive atmosphere,” ani GAP president Cynthia Carrion.
“That we are holding the championships in the beautiful city of Tagaytay and at the reconfigured Tagaytay CT Velodrome will be a unique and memorable experience for our participants and fans alike.”
Ang velodrome, na sertipikado ng UCI (international cycling federation), ay binago upang magkaroon ng tatlong competition floor at isang gallery na may kapasidad na 3,000 upuan para sa mga manonood.
“We will have a VIP box for our honored guests where they will have a vantage view while the athletes perform and display their artistry and athleticism during the meet,” ani Carrion.
Makakatanggap ang mga magtatapos sa podium ng natatanging medalya na tampok ang tanyag na Lawa ng Taal at Bulkang Taal, habang ang mga mascot na sina “Bughaw” at “Lila” na nakasuot ng aerobic tights at leotards ay inatasan din magbigay-sigla sa kaganapan.
“The 10th Aero Gymnastics Championships is another fine example of using the hosting of international events to boost our top local tourist attractions like Tagaytay City,” ani Philippine Sports Commission Chair Patrick Gregorio.
“While local tourists are already aware of its reputation as a great tourist destination, there are still a lot of foreigners who may not know Tagaytay’s natural and man-made charms,” dagdag ni Gregorio, na siya rin pinuno ng National Sports Tourism Interagency Committee.
Kabilang sa mga pinakatanyag na atraksyon sa Tagaytay ang People’s Park in the Sky, na may malawak na tanawin ng Lawa ng Taal at kinaroroonan ng Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love, gayundin ang Picnic Grove.
“If our foreign participants feel chilly and want something hot, there is the Mahogany Beef Market nearby where they can have a steaming bowl of bulalo, our Filipino comfort food of beef and bone marrow soup,” pagmamalaki ni Gregorio.
“Tagaytay City nearly has everything a tourist can offer in a compact and cool location. We are certain that our athletes and officials will be leaving the country with fond memories of the place in spending their time there.”