MADRID (ESP), FIG Office, December 12, 2008: Here's a first that is sure to please anyone who's into Artistic Gymnastics! The December 13 - 14 finals will be broadcasted in real time on the FIG's official micro site http://www.madrid2008.sportcentric.com with an online commentary straight from the Telefonica Arena. The FIG Media Staff will be front and centre in the press gallery, transmitting news flashes with the most important competition information in real time. Web users can catch the latest scoop and even comment!

IRCOS by FIG on-line

IRCOS (Instant Replay and Information System), the video control system that allows judges immediate visuals of any gymnast's exercise at any apparatus, has been a part of the arsenal of tools available to judges since 2005. When in doubt and in cases of inquiry into a technical score, the Jury falls back on IRCOS to either confirm or reject a controversial verdict.

For the first time ever and as a trial run, the FIG is going to post a handful of IRCOS sequences filmed during the final on its website. People everywhere can watch the sequences filmed by FIG cameras over and over again; and the experts out there can try their hand at evaluating exercises just like on-site officials, and why not even attribute a score!

The trial run carried out in Madrid will then be evaluated before being repeated next year at the world championships in Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline.