The International Order of Merit, presented annually by the International Gymnastics Hall
of Fame, is an award to recognize individuals who have had an extraordinary impact on the
sport of gymnastics.

2010 International Order of Merit Award:
- Eileen Langsley (Great Britain)

From 1984-2001, Ms. Langsley was the official photographer for the International Gymnastics Federation, which published two coffee table books (1996, 2000) of her beautiful work. A native of Sheffield, England, Langsley was the sport's most influential photographer whose images filled the pages of numerous gymnastics publications worldwide. Her photos also were featured on 93 covers of International Gymnast magazine.

2009 International Order of Merit Award:
– Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist (Sweden)

Ms. Ahlquist is recognized for her generous and inspired leadership in bringing gymnastics to a wider audience the world over. She is a member of the International Olympic Committee's Sports for All Commission, as well as the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). She serves at President of the Gymnastics for All Committee.

2008 International Order of Merit Award:
– Prof. Ludwig Schweizer (Germany)               >> Video Link

Prof. Ludwig Schweizer (Germany), perhaps no one has been more influential in our sport's development.He is recognized for his dedication and research in standization and safety testing with regard to gymnastic equipment that have advanced performances over the past 25 years. He was a former gymnast who studied sport sciences for eight years at the University of Freiburg. In 1983, he joined the FIG and began the task of establishing standards for gymnastics equipment. He is now on the faculty at the University of Freiburg, Germany.

2007 International Order of Merit Award:
– Vicelia Florenzano (Brazil)              >> Video Link

Ms. Florenzano was recognized for her contributions to the growth of gymnastics in her home country of Brazil, and throughout her region of the world.  During her years of service to the sport, she has held many prestigious positions, including:

• President, Pan American Union
• President, Brazilian Gymnastics Federation
• Member, Executive Committee, FIG

2006 International Order of Merit Award:
– Ulrich Spieth (Germany) 

Ulrich “Uli” Spieth has been a revered and respected figure on the international gymnastics scene for more than 30 years.  As managing director of the Spieth equipment company, and a long-time advisor to the FIG and countless national gymnastics federations, Uli has contributed both technical and visionary guidance to the sport of gymnastics, through equipment innovations, safety improvements, technical standards and manufacturing excellence.

2005 International Order of Merit Award:
– Daniel Baumat (Switzerland)

Daniel Baumat, as president of Swiss Timing, has contributed innumerable technical advancements to the process of collecting, tabulating and displaying the scores for Olympic, World and European gymnastics competitions. Indeed, Mr Baumat’s staff  and Swiss Timing equipment have played a pivotal role in some of our sport’s most historic moments – such as in Montreal, during the 1976 Olympics, when Swiss Timing displays flashed the first perfect 10.0 scores in Olympic history, earned by Hall of Fame legend Nadia Comaneci.

2004 International Order of Merit Award:
– Dr. Zakaria Ahmad (Malaysia)

Dr. “Zak” Ahmad has played an extraordinary role in growing the sport of gymnastics, at all levels, throughout Asia and the Pacific Rim.  His countless contributions throughout his career have included his tenure as:

• President, Malaysian Gymnastics Federation
• President, Asian Gymnastics Confederation

2003 International Order of Merit Award:
– Norbert Bueche (Switzerland)

Perhaps the noblest statesman the International Gymnastics Federation has ever known, Norbert Bueche served as the Secretary General of the FIG for many decades.  As the inaugural recipient of the IGHOF’s International Order of Merit, Mr. Bueche and his tireless and distinguished service to the growth and integrity of the sport of gymnastics epitomizes the spirit and meaning of this prestigious award.