MADRID (ESP), FIG Office, December 11, 2008: A mere two days and counting to the first final, gymnasts of the Royal Spanish Gymnastics Federation are getting ready in Madrid's Telefonica Arena. Jesus Carballo, 1996 High Bar World Champion in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is among the many athletes who’ve come to lend their assistance to some one hundred volunteers here in Madrid. He's rolled up his sleeves and is helping to set up the podium just like everyone else.

Initial warm-ups start Thursday afternoon on-site. 80 gymnasts representing 30 nations are expected in Madrid. An extremely open final, it looks like the highlights of the event will be at the High Bar and Women's Floor exercises, where we're excited about seeing title-holding Olympic Champion, Romanian Sandra Raluca Izbasa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madrid's Telefonica Arena, stage of operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seating 8,000, this hall is home to local basketball team Estudiantes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus Carballo (left) lends a much-appreciated hand installing the podium at the Telefonica Arena.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An initial heads-up for Longines technicians.