Seven Artistic Gymnastics judges warned by FIG Disciplinary Commission
06/10/2015LAUSANNE (FIG Office), October 6, 2015: The International Gymnastics Federation's (FIG) Disciplinary Commission has issued warnings to seven Artistic Gymnastics judges for scoring irregularities during the 2014 World Championships in Nanning (CHN).
As it does after every World Gymnastics Championships, following the 2014 World Artistic Championships in China, the FIG performed a deep analysis of the scores given by each judge in order to assure that the results were in compatibility with the current code of points.
This judges evaluation system rests notably on a sophisticated statistical analysis, which allows for the rapid detection of scoring deviations linked to various parameters, and on the comparison of scores from those obtained by a jury of experts following a video review of routines.
This analysis permits the FIG to recognise the excellent work accomplished by the vast majority of judges at the Nanning World Championships. However, some of the scores given by 14 judges appeared biased or unsatisfactory, which led the FIG to open disciplinary proceedings against them.
After hearings held in September at FIG Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), the Disciplinary Commission dismissed seven of the cases. The seven remaining judges -- five from Men's Artistic Gymnastics and two from Women's Artistic -- received warnings, urging them to "pay closer attention" in future competitions.
Following notification of their sanctions, each judge has 21 days to appeal.
Knowing that the results in Gymnastics are based on human judgement, the International Gymnastics Federation has strengthened both its judges training program and scoring analysis system in order to assure that judges meet the level of excellence required of them at international competitions.