Peter Kormann, an Olympic medallist, will share his vast knowledge and experience with the Island’s top gymnasts at the Bermuda Gymnastics Association’s Southside training centre.

Kormann, who claimed bronze at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, is the brother-in-law of Duke Nelligan, the Bermuda head coach. He also coached United States’ team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The 58-year-old’s first trip to Bermuda coincides with the BGA’s Federation of International Gymnastics Level 1 Men’s and Women’s Artistic Academy coaching course.

The course is being led by FIG experts Keith Russell, of Canada, Jose Sucart, of Puerto Rico, and Chris Evans, of Britain.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our programme and we are very happy to have Peter with us this week,” Nelligan said.

“This is Peter’s first visit to Bermuda and he will be spending time with our up and coming gymnasts.

“In an attempt to raise the level of awareness and coaching technique and gaining training tips from all of these great clinicians, we can’t help but see that this is going to produce great results.

“Our athletes are eating up all of this information and have been incredibly open to trying new things and being much braver than we’ve seen in the past.”

Kormann will work closely with the gymnasts on the finer points of the floor exercise today. Last night he met with the athletes’ parents to discuss his experiences as a gymnast, coach and gym owner.

“Obviously when you win a bronze medal on the floor exercise in the Olympics, we are hoping he will help us with expertise in the tumbling and vaulting areas,” Nelligan added.

“I think it is very reassuring for the athletes to hear Peter reinforcing the same things that our coaches are saying on a daily basis.

“It shows that we are clearly a fraternity and we are all students of gymnastics.

“His experience as an Olympic coach and athlete make our coaches and athletes alike want to take notice and listen carefully to what he has to offer.”

In 1977 Kormann won the Nissen award, which is the top accolade for men’s gymnastics in the United States.