In Memoriam - Eila Uitto 1945 - 2026

With great sadness I have to announce that Finland’s long-time director of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics has passed away.

Eila Uitto served as director of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics at the Finnish Gymnastics and Sports Association from 1994 to 2009. Eila was a strong aesthetic group gymnastics professional who selflessly, purposefully and passionately developed, led and organized the wide field of aesthetic group gymnastics in Finland. Eila gathered various working groups around her, with whom she skillfully and progressively brought about numerous reforms to the sport, the competition system, coaching, club competition activities, rules, evaluation and judging.

In addition to aesthetic group gymnastics, field programs were also close to Eila's heart. She became acquainted with so-called modern gymnastics (later rhythmic gymnastics) in Moscow in the early 1970’s and she also brought the sport to Finland.

In 1997, the second international Aesthetic Group Gymnastics competition was organized, Pink 1997. Eila, as the director of AGG in Finland, was now responsible for these competitions also. In 1996, the first international Aesthetic Group Gymnastics competitions were organized in the Helsinki Kisahalli by Pulmu Puonti and the undersigned, but Eila was not yet involved at that time.

The international interest towards Aesthetic Group Gymnastics was obvious and increasing. On the other hand, internationality offered a great opportunity for athletes and groups to advance in their career, so Pink 1998, Pink 1999 and the first World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships in 2000 were organized in Finland, in Helsinki.

In 2000–2003, an international cooperation group worked to prepare the establishment of an international Aesthetic Group Gymnastics federation. Eila was also involved in this work. IFAGG, the International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics, was founded in 2003 in Helsinki. IFAGG operated independently, but Eila continued to develop international work in Finland as the director of AGG in Finland. By Eila the Aesthetic Group Gymnastics national team -system was created.

Eila's importance in the internationalization of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics is significant.

Eila had the honor of being elected honorary member number 1 of IFAGG.

After retiring, Eila Uitto worked as a volunteer in the Sports Archives at the Sports Museum of Finland for several years. She took care of and archived materials related to Aestetic Group Gymnastics, such as documents, medals, event materials, etc. She also archived the personal archives of gymnastics influencers and the historical archives of field programs in the Sports Archives.

Eila was a sports and cultural person. She actively followed various sports and competitions. Eila was particularly interested in the visual arts, ballet and music; such as opera, classical music and choral singing. Eila was highly civilized, interested in, among other things, history and society. She studied Latin for years, which she was admirably proficient in.

Eila was a responsible, innovative, hardworking and open-hearted person and great friend. Eila Uitto left a significant and influential mark on the history of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics.

Longing and honoring the memory of Eila Uitto

Aleksandra Tuomala-Jantunen
Honorary President of IFAGG