The seventh Golden Age Gym Festival was planned for Rethymno on the island of Crete from 4 to 9 October 2020, organised with the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation and the town of Rethymno. Like much of the 2020 calendar, it could not go ahead as planned because of the pandemic.
What the Golden Age festival is
The Golden Age Gym Festival is a non-competitive gathering for people aged 50 and over who practise gymnastics. Groups from clubs across Europe perform their own programmes, take part in workshops and join cultural activities in the host town. There are no medals or rankings; the aim is participation.
Why it matters
The organisers' message was simple: to age healthily, people over 50 need to stay physically active, and doing that in a group adds social and cultural benefits. Regular exercise with others reduces isolation, which becomes a growing risk with age. A festival that brings hundreds of older gymnasts together turns that idea into something visible and joyful.
What participants do
- Group performances on open stages and in sports halls, usually lasting a few minutes. - Workshops on fitness, balance, dance and movement. - Excursions and cultural events organised by the host city.
The bigger picture for Gymnastics for All
Gymnastics for All is the broadest discipline in the sport, covering everything from children's movement classes to adult fitness groups and display teams. The Golden Age festival shows that gymnastics does not end with competitive careers. For many people it begins, or begins again, after 50.
Related
Our guide to starting gymnastics as an adult and the Gymnastics for All page.
