Interview with Sylvio Kroll
Sylvio Kroll from Cottbus - on the photo with Ronny Ziesmer (left) - is member of the executive committee of the UEG and in this role also a member of the OC of the 2011 European Championships in Berlin.
The gymnastics expert was a world-class gymnast during the 80ies to the beginning of the 90ies. Among other things he won two silver medals at Olympic Games, became two-time World Champion and European Champion 1985 on vault. From 1997 to 2008 he was the tournament director of the World Cup in Cottbus, "Tournament of Masters". Since 2009 he works at the Olympic training centre Brandenburg in Frankfurt/Oder as coordinator for training science / national training centres.
Sylvio Kroll, the German National Championships on September 11th & 12th 2010 took place in Berlin at the same venue like the European Championships will in 2011. What do you think about this?
That's great! Every gymnastics fan is happy about having top international events - like the traditional "Tournament of Masters" or the German Gymnastics League final this year in the venue "Max-Schmeling-Halle" - in front of their own door again.
Cottbus has a long tradition in men's gymnastics. With Philipp Boy again a gymnast from Cottbus belongs to Germany's best gymnasts. What do you think will he be able to reach, regarding the World Championships 2010 - European Championships 2011 - Olympic Games 2012?
I think he can reach a lot: Winning an individual medal at World Championships or Olympic Games could crown his career, in addition to his important role in the team.
How is the current situation for gymnastics in Cottbus, are there any new talents coming up?
From my point of view the work of the "gymnastics talent school" in Cottbus has proved of value. One example is the "25th GWG-Cup", a tournament for junior gymnasts in September. Of course the results of the last years have been good but nonetheless we can't be satisfied. However, you can't have such kind of "experts" like Philipp Boy or Robert Juckel in every year.
Do you have many gymnastics fans in Cottbus?
Yes, they come from our various gymnastics clubs in the city and its surroundings, but it's not only them...
Will they all come to the European Championships in Berlin as spectators?
I think so! I had already various requests regarding this topic.
Being the dress rehearsal for the European Championships, the German National Championships took place on a podium. Why is this being done internationally? And what is the advantage?
On a podium you compete like on a "tray". All the attention is even more focused on the routine. Furthermore, a podium supports the springiness of the apparatus and the floor.
How is this from the point of view of the judges and the experts?
There is more attention by everyone, also by the judges...
And the audience - is the podium an advantage also for them?
They definitely can watch better and have a better overview. The whole ambiance is getting more attractive, like it is adequate for a major event.
You have been an excellent all-around gymnast, but like Matthias Fahrig also very successful on vault and floor. What do you think about his new element, the "Fahrig"?
It is really incredible to manage such kind of element after such a short time! Nonetheless, I'm glad that I'm allowed to "only" watch these kind of things today...
