Gymnastics' international governing body, which currently has 27 employees and manages the activities of seven gymnastic disciplines, including the four that appear on the Olympic programme, has filed building plans for a development on land that it owns adjacent to the current head office (pictured top) at 12 Avenue de la Gare in the Swiss city.

However, the new construction will not be occupied entirely by FIG, with 40 per cent being developed for "the rental market".

"It is an investment in keeping with the rapid development of the federation's activities through its 133 member federations on five continents," read a FIG statement.

The project is now with the local authority, which will be launching a public enquiry.

Construction is expected to begin at the end of this year if the plans are approved, with inauguration scheduled to take place in the latter half of 2015.

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