The European Gymnastics relaunch its election called ‘Gymnast of the Year’. You can all vote for your favourite gymnast of the last year on European Gymnastics website. The vote on social media is also allowed.
Alina Harnasko (BLR)Linoy Ashram (ISR)
The Executive Committee chose the four categories: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline Gymnastics. This Committe is made up technical staff and fifty Federations.
Sofia Raffaeli (ITA)Dina Averina (RUS)Boryana Kaleyn (BUL)
Only five gymnast could be the best ones of 2021 in Rhythmic Gymnastics. These are:
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.
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.
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.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympians, Dina and Arina Averina are ready to start the new season.
It is confirmed that the twins are training looking forward the new season. They are ready to compete under the new code of points, which it is suitable for them. This statement depends on their health, since it is already known that Dina suffers from back problems:
“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
Dina Averina
After Olympic Games in Tokyo, they said they would have retired 100% if they had won Olympic Medals.
“Our country is waiting for our revenge. They claim us to continue training and fight for medals in Paris 2024. Russia needs to know their heroes because we are defending the honour of the Nation.”
The FIG recently confirmed the list of candidatures for the athletes’ representative. The elections, will be held during World Championships in Japan for the next week.
The athletes’ representatives are elected by their fellow gymnasts. The voting system is stated in the FIG Statues, which is the same one as for the election of the President. The name of the elected gymnast will be announced at the athletes’s meeting during World Championships. They will be the representatives from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025.
The gymnasts looking forward this election are:
Valeriya Yuzvyak (UKR)
Nicole Ruprecht (AUT)
Siyana Vasilieva (AZE)
Salome Pazhava (GEO)
Neviana Vladinova (BUL)
Jessica Maier (BRA)
Neviana Vladinova (BUL)
Neviana Vladinova is a former Bulgarian Champion, qualified 7th in Olympic Games Rio 2016 and bronze medallist at World Championships. Neviana retired from competition in November 2020 due to a neck injury. She is now a vice president of the Bulgarian gymnastics Federation. She appeared in international junior competitions in 2006 and began competing as a senior in 2011 season.
“Your problems will be my problems aswell. I will be your voice”
Neviana Vladinova
Salome Pazhava (GEO)
Salome Pazhava made history in Georgia, becoming the second most successful gymnast in her country. She finished 4th in World Championships 2015 in Stuttgart. She qualified for Olympic Games in Tokyo. She already finished this year her sports career. Salome is currently the Vice-President of the Georgian National Gymnastic Federation in Rhythmic Gymnastics.
I will protect your rights. I will do my best to create equality.
Salome Pazhava
Nicol Ruprecht
Nicol Ruprecht is Austria’s most successful gymnast. She has competed in numerous World Cup and Grand Prix series. This year, after European Championships in Varna, where she became 29th . She announced her retirement in June 2021.
It is very important for me to be for all of you and speak for all of you
Nicol Ruprecht
Jessica Maier (BRA)
Jessica Maier is a Brazilian former group gymnasts. She represented her nation at international competitions and was one of the top successful gymnasts at Pan American Games 2015, 2018 and South American Games in 2011 and 2018.
If I could define in one word why you should elect me, the word would be “connection”
Jessica Maier (BRA)
Siyana Vasilieva
Siyana Vasileva is a former gymnast from Bulgaria that competed for Azerbaijan. Currently she is the coach of the National Senior Group of Azerbaijan. She was medallist at multiple World Cup Series. She was the captain of AZE group since 2011. She is in the 4th year of her Bachellor’s degree of Psychology
I know how to help gymnasts to achieve their goals
Siyana Vasileva
Valeriya Yuzvyak (UKR)
Valeriya Yuzvyak is a former group gymnast from Ukraine, who was recently diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer. This type of sarcoma made up of cells that normally develop into skeletal (voluntary) muscles. She received a succesfull treatment in Germany and now she wants to become an Athelets’ representative. She is European and World Medallist.
With me, the voice of the gymnasts could be heard loud and clear
Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Star, European and World Champion finished second in Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, behind Linoy Ashram. This was the first time in 20 years that Russia didn’t win gold in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Olympic Games, both in individuals and groups.
This results were noticed as a “scandal and corruption” by the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation. On the other hand, International Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation carried out an evaluation of the scoring system in the past Olympic Games. This consisted on a post-review evaluation components in all the phases of Tokyo 2020. The conclusion was the confirmation that no bias or irregularities were identified in the judging panels.
Linoy Ashram (ISR)
Therefore, FIG published a statement about that the rankings and results of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games competitions in Rhythmic Gymnastics for both Individuals and Groups were fair and impartial.
Many judges received hateful messages through their social media, that were described as “utterly unacceptable” by International Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
Just a few weeks before Tokyo Olympic Games announced her retirement.
I started doing rhythmic gymnastics when I was only four years old. I was a gymnast for twenty years. And now, the day has come: I am free. I don’t have to go to the gym for trainings.
Katsiaryna Halkina (BLR)
Katsiaryna Halkina (BLR), Euskalgym Gala. She is very grateful for all the support that all her fans fave to her during sports career.
Black and white caption, Marbella Grand Prix
She wants to work on theatre, cinema and concerts
One of her top routines, “Geisha”
She won bronze medal at European Championships in 2018
In September 2021, Katya announced she will start planning the calendar of Masterclasses
During Euskalgym Gala 2019
Her routines were full of artistry
Katya’s signature turn
Portrait of Katsiaryna Halkina
End of her Hoop 2017 routine, executing under the music of the composer Mariya Tchaikovskaya,
Katsiaryna is performing this routine with a love song by the Belarusian composer, M.Tchaikovskaya. The song is about a girl that asks her lover to take her away and all of her memories.
Katsiaryna Halkina (BLR) at first day of qualification; 35th FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2017
One of her last competitions, Miss Valentine 2020
Katsiaryna Halkina, second day of qualification; 35th FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2017
European Championships Budapest 2017
Grand Prix Thiais 2018
Her Gala in 2019, choreographed by Yuliia Markovskaya
“I want to say thank you to my fans, because you always have warm words for me, I am very glad and grateful for have you all. All I want to show you is my way to do Rhythmic Gymnastics, my emotions”
Rhythmic Gymnastics Info 