On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Federation of Gymnastics which was founded in 1881, a commemorative competition was held in Paris, on July 11 & 12, in conjunction with that year's Bastille Day.[1]
There seems to be a history of inconsistency from the FIG regarding whether these 1931 games are considered to be a World Championships. About these games, it is written in a 100-year Anniversary publication, that Following "agreements, objections, and discussions" this manifestation was called "World Championships".,[1]: 84 however on the following page of that same publication, it is stated "Logically, the manifestations of the 50th anniversary of the FIG cannot be placed among the official competitions",.[1]: 85 Additionally, in a 125-year Anniversary Publication, it is said about these games "Premiers concours sous l’appellation Championnats du Monde de Gymnastique artistique masculine a Paris.",[2] yet they were referred to as "unofficial"[2]: 35 and their results were omitted from the results section of that book.[2]: 64 As it currently stands (as of as recently as 2021), about these games in 1931, the FIG states “1931 First Artistic Men's World Championships held in Paris.”[3]
44 individuals from 10 nations participated in this competition. 14 events were contested. Individual rankings were determined.[1]: 84
There was a special clause to the rules that in order for any individual to be properly termed 'World Champion', they had to demonstrate a certain level of competency among all 14 events, scoring at least 60% of all of the points that could be possibly awarded on each event. Therefore, the highest-ranking gymnast, Heikki Savolainen of Finland did not actually end up becoming World Champion; rather, 2nd-place finishing Alois Hudec of Czechoslovakia, who was the only individual to score at least 60% on all 14 events, ended up becoming 'World Champion' at this competition.[7]
^"FIG - History". www.gymnastics.sport. Federation Internationale de Gymnastique=. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
^"Sa međunarodnih gimnastičkih takmičenja u Parizu" [From International Gymnastics Competitions in Paris.]. Sokolsky Glasnik (in Slovenian). Vol. 2, no. 29. July 16, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
^"Po Vitezstvi Druzstev Vitezstvi Jednotlivcu" [After the victory of the cooperatives, the victory of the individual.]. Věstník Sokolský. Vol. 33, no. 30. July 23, 1931. pp. 513–514. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
Paris, France
Finland
Czechoslovakia
Italy
Switzerland
Hungary
Yugoslavia
Luxembourg
Netherlands
