A few days ago, Russian Youth Olympic Games champion, Daria Trubnikova, announced that she will stop doing rhythmic gymnastics, by her own initiative. The gymnast recently said to Russian press that she thought about this decision “more than a million times”. Many people close to her were not conviced about this, since Daria was looking forward the next competition, Crystal Rose at Spartakiad.
“At that time I didn’t have time to prepare at Crystal Rose and I wasn’t at Spartakiad. We decided to end my sports career for Spartakiad. Basically it was just my decision. And contrary to popular belief, as many people think and say in our sport – it was my own decision”
Trubnikova was twice medallist at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires and is also a two-time European champion among juniors. She also was national Champion in 2020 with ball.
“Definitely, The Youth Olympic Games in 2018. This year was really difficult for me. The beggining of the season was not very good. And also, 2019, when I become a Senior Gymnast”
By the moment, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials are banned indefinitely from competitions by International Gymnastics Federation due to the war conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The combination of dance steps consist on a sequence of movements with the body and apparatus dedicated to expressing the stylistic interpretation of the music. They have to be defined and according to the rhythm of the music.
The movements should include all the body segments (head, arms, shoulders, hips, feet, legs…).
Viktoriia Onopriienko (UKR)
Routines must have at least two dance step combinations. These movements should last eight seconds. During this time, the gymnast can’t do large throws or pre-acrobatic elements. The style of these movements should be in line if the character of the routine and music (classical, folkloric, modern…). • Any classical dance steps • Any ballroom dance steps • Any folkloric dance steps • Any modern dance steps • Etc.
Daria Atamanov (ISR)
Dance Steps Combination should include a variety of movements specifically used for the choreographic purposes of character and effect. BD such as “cabriole” jump, “passé” balance, etc. which have their base in traditional dance and a value of 0.10 may be included. 4.3.4. Movements in harmony with the rhythm 4.3.5. 2 modalities of travelling: the modalities of travelling (the mode in which she travels/moves around the floor area) should be varied and diverse, in harmony with specific style of the music and the character of the movements, and not generic movements across the floor (like walking, stepping, running) with apparatus handling.
The character of the routine and the Dance Steps should be in line
Source: RG Code 2022-2024
4.4. The Dance Steps Combination will not be valid in the following cases: 4.4.1. Less than 8 seconds of Dance performed according to #4.3.1.- #4.3.4 4.4.2. Static apparatus 4.4.3. High throw during S 4.4.4. Pre-Acrobatic elements during S 4.4.5. R during S 4.4.6. Loss of apparatus during 8 consecutive seconds 4.4.7. Loss of balance with support on one or both hands or on the apparatus 4.4.8. Total loss of balance with a fall of the gymnast during 8 seconds 4.4.9. The entire Combination performed on the floor.
Anna Rizatdinova was the bronze medallist in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Anna commented in a recent interview her point of view on the winner at the 2020 Olympics, Linoy Ashram fron Israel. “I was third, but Yana Kudryatseva made a mistake with clubs”.
Linoy Ashram (ISR)
“I agree that Yana had more difficult in her routines, but everyone had 10 points – the initial amount. I could only scored these 10 points with turns. Kudryavtseva did incredible things with the ball. Her ball control is unique. I admit that when it’s great, then it’s great. But she made a mistake and, nevertheless, she was in second place. If I made a mistake – God forbid, dropped a ribbon, a ball – there would be no talk of any bronze – it would be 6-7th place at best”
Rizatdinova gave an interview to the Ostrov YouTube channel.
Anna Rizatdinova (UKR)
Yana Kudryavtseva, also commented about this interview:
“I always respect all the gymnast and I have never said anything negative about them. But this time, I did not understand these words towards me. Anna Rizatdinova thinks that I didn’t deserve a second place in Rio Olympics 2016 due to my mistake in clubs. Well, the real price for me were my fans, audience. I am very proud of my position in Rio. My advice: accept your defeats.”
Anastasiia Salos (BLR), is selling her hoop leotard
As the last code said, a correct gymnastics leotard must be in non-transparent material; therefore, leotards that have some parts in lace will have to be lined (from the trunk to the chest).
This statement is common to the last code of points.
The pelvic area (with or without a skirt) should be covered with non-transparent material up to the hip bones and a small lace or transparent area for connection/decoration is tolerated.
On this code, the cut of the leotard at the top of the legs must not go beyond the fold of the crotch.
Alina Harnasko (BLR)
Leotards may be with or without sleeves
Teresa Gorospe (ESP) wearing a sleeveless leotard
The undergarments worn beneath the leotard should not be visible beyond the seams of the leotard itself.
Khrystina Pohranychna (UKR) wearing an example of the previous statement
The leotard must be all in one piece. It is not possible for a gymnast to wear a leotard and separate additional “socks,” “gloves,” decorative legwarmers, or belts. It is not allowed to decorate leotard with light-emitting diodes (LED)
On this code, a leotard with words or symbols is allowed if the design meets ethical standards and based on RG COP 2022-2024 Hair decorations were a point of controversy in the last COP. The hairstyle must be neat and compact. Decorative details are allowed but they must not be bulky and/or jeopardize the safety of the gymnasts. Hair decorations must be close to the bun/compact to the hair.
Arina Averina (RUS) with an example of hair decoration
The penalties are 0.30 point one time for rule is not met.
Irina Viner revealed why Arina and Dina Averina are still training even they wanted to finish their career after Tokyo 2020.
“After Olympic Games, Arina called me. She told me she wanted to finish her sports career. The intention of the twins was to graduate in Economics and attend to University. I said -okay-. Hold on for a minute, chicken. Wet chicken. What did the Nation for you and your sister? Why did the people take you to the Red Square in your honour? The first prime Minister, said that your sister Dina deserved the gold medal. Now the President is going to give you an award. Are you crazy? How dare you! Will you let the people down? After all these, how can you say that to me?
Arina Averina (RUS)
“Quickly go to gym!” – said Irina Viner. ”Were you trying to test me? How much do you want me to suffer for you? You though that I would say to you that I have younger gymnast that can replace you. But you are not right”
Irina Viner made them back to the gym. Now Dina and Arina are training for the next season on their brand new routines.
Grand Prix Thiais is already a historic tournament in gymnastics tradition for more than twenty years.
This Grand Prix series competition is held in Thiais, close to Paris (France).
Last year, the situation of the Coronavirus virus – COVID 19 in France leaded the Organizing Committee to cancel the 34th edition of the Internationaux de Thiais in view of the risks that this could cause the foreign delegations taking part and the public many who attend the event.
This year, the organizing Committe and GP director, Jose de Freitas, decided to cancel 2022 edition because of the health risks:
Until the last few days, the Organizing Committee of the Internationaux de Thiais (COMSE) has worked to ensure that the 34th edition of the Internationaux de Thiais, postponed for two years, is held at the end of March.
Until the end, we hoped that the health situation, which had begun to improve in recent months, would stabilize or even progress favorably.
Unfortunately, the indicators we have are not the most optimistic.
Inescapable constraints weigh on the organization of our tournament due to the circulation of the virus. We cannot reasonably commit ourselves to ensuring that the Grand Prix takes place as the uncertainties are numerous and the necessary adaptations strong.
Dina Averina (RUS)
Unanimously of its members, the Organizing Committee has therefore decided to postpone the organization of the Thiais Grand Prix to 2023.
Aware of the disappointment that our decision may cause for the loyal public and all foreign delegations, we could not decently do otherwise.
This decision, which is difficult to make, is in our opinion the most reasonable possible so that we can come-back soon, faster and stronger.
Viktoriia Onopriienko (UKR)
We hope that next year, this pandemic will be no more than a bad and distant memory and that you will once again place your trust in us by coming to attend this magnificent high-level competition.
Marbella is one of the stages for Grand Prix Series that include other cities as Kiev, Holon, Tartu, Brno, Thiais and Moscow. Last year this Grand Prix was cancelled due to COVID-19 health problem.
This week Andalusian Gymnastics Federation already confirmed that Grand Prix Marbella 2021 will take part in San Pedro de Alcantara on the 17th and 18th of October.
Viktoriia Onoprienko (UKR) Grand Prix Marbella 2019
This could be one of the biggest competitions of 2021 in Spain. The tournament consists in 2-competitions-in-one: Grand Prix Senior and International Junior competition, which is called “Andalucia Cup”
Russian delegation already confirmed their participants: Lala Kramarenko, Anastasia Simakova and Ekaterina Selezneva The next confirmation will be from Belarus, who already won the 3rd position in Olympic Games with Alina Harnasko. Anastasia Salos and Arena Krasnorutskaya is the gymnast that will represent BLR in this tournament.
Lala Kramarenko (RUS), winner of Andalucia Cup 2019
Dina Averina (RUS) Grand Prix Marbella 2019
Anastasiia Salos Grand Prix Marbella 2019
Tickets will be available soon. All official statements will be provided by Andalucian Gymnastics Federation. Marbella celebrates its 6th International Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix.
Some Rhythmic Gymnastics Stars in Marbella Grand Prix last editions:
Natalia Garcia Timofeeva is a Spanish rhythmic gymnast who was born in Barcelona but her roots are Russian. Natalia Garcia and Polina Berezina were the gymnasts selected by Spanish National Federation to represent Spain in the World Cup Series. They mission was get a spot for Olympic Games in Tokyo, which was not possible.
Both Polina and Natalia declared that they were in the last months training non-stop. This season was really hard.
“I think I would not repeat this in my whole life. It was really hard for me. I don’t wish this to anyone. You can’t image how difficult this path to Olympics was. I tried to be on my best physical condition for European Championships. The day after the EC, I couldn’t even move, I was in too much pain.In my case, I needed to show that I was on top, many gymnasts were fighting to represent Spain in the international competitions.”
Natalia suffered from a few injuries during her gymnastics career. For the last years, she needed to adapt her trainings and warm-ups and decrease the level of her daily trainings. She underwent twice surgery (double hip) in 2017. After this, she got injured again.
“I felt really alone. In the past, I had a team working for me and now, I don’t. My whole team suddenly changed. That’s why I use social media to promote and publish brands, because of money. I lived alone in Barcelona, my family lives in French Guyana, really far from me. My parents could not help me so I have learned to get byrathen than how to work, simply making a living.“
I describe myself as a fighter.
“It is really easy to give opinions of an athlete, but the only ones that know the truth are family, coaches and team. People on social media was quite mean to me. Instagram is not my real life, it is just a tool to publish the best of yourself and what you really want to show of your privacy. I just use this app to get money”
Natalia spent last year some months in Russia for improve their exercises. My mother and grandmother were successful sportswomen in Russia and helped me to train with great coaches from this country. We were working from them since 2018. They are Ekaterina Pankova and Ekaterina Dementyeva.
Ekaterina Pankova was focused on her daily work and Dementyeva on her artistic exercises and choreographies. Monica Viñals, who was also her first coach, is now working with Natalia.
Natalia also designs her own leotards.
“I am inspired of high couture designs or even dresses that I see on the red carpet. Then, I speak with the people that is going to sew it and my coaches, who advise me.”
Natalia Garcia wants to retire this year and wants to finish her gymnastics career in Spain.
“I feel really tired and I think my body needs to stop doing rhythmic gymnastics. Anyway I plan to do masterclasses and I have many projects related to rhythmic gymnastics.”
Dina and Arina Averina were the top favorites for becoming Olympic Champions in Tokyo 2020. However, Linoy Ashram from Israel made history winning the first gold medal for this country in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
What do fans mean to you?
When we came back from Japan, a lot of fans were cheering us up in the airport. They are an important support, they write message to us after competitions, even poems. – Dina Averina said
Do you want to continue to Paris (Olympic Games) 2024?
First of all we need to rest, but who knows, we need a “revenge”. – Arina Averina said
Dina, how do you feel towards your results in Tokyo?
I feel sad, I wanted to become Olympic Champion. Linoy Ashram had a mistake with ribbon and I felt that I had an opportunity for gold. For the first moment, I think the judges were giving me low scores. My ribbon routine was clear and unfortunately it was not possible to win.
Dina, do you think that the gold medal should have been yours?
I think that my four exercises were without big mistakes. My consciencie is clear, I should have been the winner. After the last performance, the judges took more than usual to give my score. I understood that they didn’t want me to win this competition.
What were your words in the kiss and cry?
Dina asked to me if they were going to give me the gold. I just said “no”. – Arina Averina said
Dina Averina
Arina Averina
Do you have any injuries?
In 2020 I had a serious spine injury. I talked to my doctors and they said to continue for a few months. Anyway the solution was about surgery and I flatly said no. I didn’t want to miss the Olympic Games. This injury is very painful, even when I walk. When I start to warm up I feel pins and needles. – Dina said
Do you think about retirement?
If both of us had won Olympic Medals, 100% we would have retired. Maybe we would continue until World Championships (October 2021). Arina doesn’t want to continue and I have a serious injury in my back. We still need to think about it.
Do you think that other gymnasts are happy of these results?
We felt that judges were against us. They are tired of our victories. We have a cordial relationship with other gymnasts, but we felt that some of them were happy about this result.
Dina Averina
Arina Averina
Dina, do you think that the scores were fair?
I feel hurt, the scores were really low for both of us. The gold was for a gymnast who made a mistake with ribbon (drop). This was not fair at all. I just could not understand the scores. This time, I wasn’t paying attention to the total scores. Irina Viner Usmanova (head coach) said to me just before the last exercises: “Dina you have to fight until the end, you have still chances to win. Show how the real rhythmic gymnastics is.”
“Unfortunately, the miracle has not happened”
Dina Averina
You were training for five years looking forward Olympic Medals. What are you going to do in the future, after these results?
We are not going to make a hasty decision. We need to think about our future. When you are dissapointed, you should not think about the future. We should wait and then, think about the future.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Info 