These pictures were taken during Euskalgym Gala 2019 in Spain. The Gala was a homage to Emilia Boneva, who died in September 2019. Emilia was National Spanish Coach from 1982 to 1996. The current Bulgarian Senior Group prepare a choreography with Almudena for this gala.
And then, Almudena’s Gala started, claimed by the crowd. It was announced that she would surprise the audience once again. So she did. She is one of the most beloved former gymnast of RG in Spain and in the whole world. Even current gymnasts admire and respect Almudena as a shining RG star she was. Olympians Anna Rizatdinova and Anna Bessonova from Ukraine adore her. At the end of the gala, Aleksandra Soldatova hugged her as a fan could did. Everybody loves her, who else could not?
Almudena’s gala was focused on Rhythmic Gymnastics history through the time:
“Rhythmic Gymnastics has changed through the years: now our costumes are gold, silver (they were not allowed in 90’s) with feathers and Swarovski stones on them. We wear pieces of art.” And then, Nessun Dorma was played on a piano live. This was the last song that Almudena performed with ribbon in 2008 at Beijing Olympic Games.
After this emotional moment, Almudena talked about the different RG schools of all around the world:
Eight years ago, Almudena Cid announced her retirement. Almu is a RG legend, becoming the only rhythmic gymnast who competed in four Olympic finals.
“I’ve always dreamed to become an actress. I assume that even in my gymnastics career I had an actress side. I looked stronger than I actually was when I competed. I really felt unbreakable. When I retired my new life was not easy at all. ”
– How could you describe your gymnastics life?
– I remember that life every single day. Now that I am an actress I can express my feelings to the audience, like I did when I was a gymnast.
– How was your role as a gymnast?
– When I watch back my videos, I feel like I was a different. I was not that unbreakable than I looked like on the carpet. I was really competitive. Now, I am feeling more authentic, I don’t need to hide my feelings.
– What is your opinion about masculine rhythmic gymnastics?
– We have seen a few rhythmic gymnasts boys with a high level. But since other countries of the world didn’t recognize them as gymnasts, this category didn’t exist. But I think they really deserve a position in this sport. It is a way of expression (although there is controversy around it, moreover the aesthetic part). If we exclude them, it is like going a step backwards.
– You are also a writer. Tell us about it
When I decided to retire I had the opportunity to speak about my memories. I thought that writting about the end of my career wouldn’t be as useful as speaking about my sportslife as an elite gymnast. And that’s why I pretend to express when I write my books: to help the girls who are starting their gymnast career. “Olympia” is starring my tales. She is quite sensitive. You can see what I felt before, during and after competitions through her character.
Source: YoDona Magazine
Almudena Cid y Liudmila Dimitrova, Mundial Budapest 2003
Foto por Bernd Thierolf
Almudena Cid es la única gimnasta que ha conseguido participar en cuatro finales olímpicas, todo un hito en el mundo de la gimnasia rítmica, dominado por países del Este de Europa. Comenzó su trayectoria en el club Beti Aurrera en Vitoria, su ciudad natal.
Almudena Cid es la única gimnasta que ha conseguido participar en cuatro finales Olímpicas
A partir del año 1994, Almudena comenzó a destacar internacionalmente, siendo convocada por la seleccionadora nacional de la época, Emilia Boneva, la cual llevó a la rítmica española a lo más alto, consiguiendo el conjunto oro en las olimpiadas de Atlanta 1996. Éstas fueron los primeros Juegos Olímpicos para Almudena en donde obtuvo la novena posición, pero no serían los últimos, sino que se sucederían posteriormente Sydney 2000, Atenas 2004 y Pekin 2008.
Selección española de gimnasia rítmica en el gimnasio Moscardó poco antes de partir hacia las olimpiadas de Atlanta 1996
En el año 2000, la Federación Española de Gimnasia atraviesa una mala situación, la cual llevó a varias gimnastas a volver a sus clubes. Almudena volvió a entrenar junto a su técnico años atras, Iratxe Aurrekoetxea, trasladándose posteriormente al Centro del Alto Rendimiento situado en Sant Cugat, Barcelona.
Juegos Olímpicos Sydney 2000
En el año 2001, la gimnasia española estaba de celebración, ya que el Campeonato del Mundo se llevo a cabo en Madrid. Un pabellón repleto de gente animaba incondicionalmente a todas las gimnastas, especialmente a las españolas : Almudena Cid, Jennifer Colino y Carolina Rodríguez. Al año siguiente, Granada fue la sede del Campeonato de Europa, donde Almudena obtuvo la séptima posición en el concurso general.
Selección individuales, Campeonato del Mundo Madrid 2001
Tras un duro sistema de clasificación interno propuesto por la Federación, logra clasificarse para disputar los Juegos Olímpicos de Atenas y conseguir diploma Olímpico.
Juegos Olímpicos Atenas 2004
Oro en los Juegos Mediterráneos Almería 2005
En el 2005 consigue la primera posición en los Juegos Mediterráneos disputados en Almería. Posteriormente, Almudena decide tomarse una época retirada provisionalmente de la gimnasia, volviendo en el 2007 con más éxitos y clasificándose para las Olimpiadas de Pekín 2008, su última competición. Allí decidió despedirse de una manera emotiva besando el tapiz.
Juegos Olímpicos Pekin 2008
Actualmente se encuentra centrada en su vida personal y profesional como diseñadora “Unadealmudena”, además de haber realizado numerosos proyectos en televisión y cine.
Almudena es una de las gimnastas más queridas en el mundo gimnástico, habiendo sido protagonista de numerosos homenajes.
The most beautiful portraits – back in time. Each professional picture instills feelings. Could you describe them?
Anna Bessonova (UKR) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf
Olga Belova (RUS) / Grand Prix Berlin 2001
Photo Copyright Dirk Zimmermann
Irina Tchachina (RUS) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf
Alina Kabaeva (RUS) / European Championships Geneve 2001
Almudena Cid (ESP) and Liudmila Dmitrova / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf
Evgeniya Kanaeva and Daria Dmitrieva (RUS) / European Championships Minsk 2011
Photo Copyright Viktorphoto
Anna Rizatdinova (UKR)
Photo Copyright Enrico Della Valle
Natalia García (ESP)
Photo Copyright: Fa Buleux
Inna Zhukova (BLR)/ Grand Prix Innsbruck 2002
Photo Copyright Tom Theobald
Liubov Cherkashina (BLR) /London Olympic Games 2012
Dominika Cervenkova (CZE) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf
Almudena Cid /Jennifer Colino (ESP)
Photo Copyright TomTheobald
Tamara Yerofeeva (UKR) / Grand Prix Innsbruck
Photo Copyright : Tom Theobald
Svetlana Rudalova (BLR) / World Championships Budapest 2003
Photo Copyright Tom Theobald
Maria Titova (RUS) / Grand Prix Brno 2013
Photo Copyright Bernd Thierolf
Alina Maksymenko (UKR) / World Championships Kiev 2013
Photo Copyright Marianne Piquerel
Alina Kabaeva (RUS) / Deventer Grand Prix
Rhythmic Gymnastics Info 