Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which gymnasts perform on a floor with an apparatus: hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon or rope. The sport combines elements of gymnastics, dance and calisthenics; gymnasts must be strong, flexible, agile, dexterous and coordinated. Rhythmic gymnastics is governed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which first recognized it as a sport in 1963. It became an Olympic sport in 1984, with an individual all-around event. The group all-around competition was added to the Olympics in 1996. At the international level, rhythmic gymnastics is a women-only sport. The most prestigious competitions, besides the Olympic Games, are the World Championships, World Games, European Championships, European Games, the World Cup Series and the Grand Prix Series. Gymnasts are judged on their artistry, execution of skills, and difficulty of skills, for which they gain points. They perform leaps, balances, pivots, and flexibility movements, along with tossing, catching, rolling and otherwise manipulating the apparatus.
Ukraine competed in the Summer Olympic Games as an independent nation for the first time at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States. Previously, Ukrainian athletes competed for the Unified Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics. 231 competitors, 146 men and 85 women, took part in 148 events in 21 sports.
Irina Viktorovna Tchachina is a retired Russian individual rhythmic gymnast. She is the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in all-around, a two-time World all-around bronze medalist, the 2004 European all-around bronze medalist and 2000 Grand Prix Final all-around silver medalist.
Anna Bessonova is a Ukrainian former individual rhythmic gymnast. She is one of the most decorated rhythmic gymnast of her generation. She is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist ; a five-time medalist in the all-around competition of the World Championships: gold in 2007, silver in 2003 and 2005, bronze in 2001 and 2009; a four-time medalist in the all-around competition of the European Championships: silver in 2004 and 2008, bronze in 2002 and 2006; and a four-time medalist in the all-around competition of the Grand Prix Final: gold in 2003, silver in 2002 and 2005, bronze in 2004.
Olena Ihorivna Vitrychenko, also known as Elena Vitrichenko, is an Individual Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnast. She is the 1996 Olympics bronze medalist, the 1997 World All-around champion and 1997 European All-around champion.
Irina Ivanivna Deriugina is a former Soviet individual rhythmic gymnast from Ukraine and Ukrainian coach in rhythmic gymnastics. She is the only Soviet rhythmic gymnast to win two all-around world titles, which she won in 1977 and 1979. Her mother, Albina, was her coach. Her success influenced the further development of rhythmic gymnastics in Kiev.
Kateryna Serebrianska is a Ukrainian former individual rhythmic gymnast. She is the 1996 Olympics gold medalist, the 1995 World All-around champion, a two time (1995,1996) European All-around champion, and three time Grand Prix Final All-around champion.
Natalia Lipkovskaya is a Russian retired individual rhythmic gymnast. She is the 1997 World All-around silver medalist and the 1997 Grand Prix Final All-around champion. She was coached by Olga Buyanova.
Amina Vasilovna Zaripova is a retired Russian individual rhythmic gymnast who now works as an elite rhythmic gymnastics coach. She is the 1994 World All-around silver medalist, 1993 World All-around bronze medalist and a two time European All-around bronze medalist. She finished 4th at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Olga Gontar is a Belarusian Individual Rhythmic Gymnast. She is the 1995 Grand Prix Final All-around bronze medalist and the 1993 European Junior All-around champion.
Olena Mykolayivna Dmytrash is a Ukrainian group rhythmic gymnast. She is the 2013 World bronze medalist in 10 clubs and 2015 Universiade champion in 6 clubs + 2 hoops.
The 20st Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships were held in Kyiv, Ukraine, from June 4 to 6, 2004.
Gymnastics competitions at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus, were held from 22 to 30 June 2019 at the Minsk-Arena. A total of 32 gymnastics events were held in the five disciplines; artistic, rhythmic, trampolining, aerobic and acrobatic.
The 2018 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships was the 34th edition of the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, which took place on 1–3 June 2018 at the Palacio Multiusos de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Spain.
The 19th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships were held in Riesa, Germany, from 04 to 06 April 2003 37 groups and 17 individual gymnasts took part in this European Championships. Medals were contested in three disciplines: senior groups, junior groups and senior individual finals.
The 18th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships were held in Granada, Spain, from 9 to 10 November 2002. Medals were contested in two disciplines : team competition and senior individual all-around.
The 17th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships were held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 15 to 17 June 2001. Medals were contested in two disciplines : senior individuals and senior groups.
The 2020 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships is the 36th edition of the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, which took place on 26–29 November 2020 at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv, Ukraine. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many competitors withdrew from the competition, such as Russia, Italy, and the Belarusian and Bulgarian groups.
The 1996 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships is the 12th edition of the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, which took place from 29 May to 02 June 1996 in Asker, Norway.
The 1995 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships is the 11th edition of the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, which took place from 6 July to 9 July 1995 in Prague, Czech Republic.
