Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which gymnasts perform on a floor with an apparatus: hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon and 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, and rotations along with handling the apparatus.
Alina Maratovna Kabaeva or Kabayeva is a Russian politician, media manager and retired individual rhythmic gymnast, who has been designated Honoured Master of Sports by the Russian government.
Hanna Volodymyrivna Bezsonova 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.
Cape Verde competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Their participation marked their fourth Olympic appearance. Two Cape Verdeans competed in the Olympic games: Nelson Cruz participated as a marathon runner, and Wania Monteiro participated in gymnastics. Another athlete, Lenira Santos, was selected to compete in athletics but was forced to pull out due to injury. Monteiro was selected as the flag bearer for both the opening and closing ceremonies. Neither of the Cape Verdeans progressed beyond the first round.
Olga Sergeyevna Kapranova is a Russian retired individual rhythmic gymnast. She is the 2005 World All-around champion, the 2007 World All-around bronze medalist, the 2008 European All-around bronze medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Final All-around champion, a two-time Grand Prix Final All-around silver medalist and the 2005 Grand Prix Final All-around bronze medalist.
Anna Glazkova is a Belarus rhythmic gymnast. She won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Anna Pollatou, was a Greek rhythmic gymnast. She won a bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. One year before, in 1999, Pollatou won 3 medals at the World Championship in Osaka, Japan and 3 gold medals at the European Championship which took place in Budapest, Hungary.
Three gymnastics disciplines were contested at the 2012 Olympic Games in London: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and trampolining. The trampoline events were held at the North Greenwich Arena from 3 to 4 August; the artistic events were also held at the North Greenwich Arena, from 28 July to 7 August. The rhythmic gymnastics events took place at Wembley Arena from 9 to 12 August.
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.
Elena Todorova is a Bulgarian group rhythmic gymnast.
Katrina Cameron is a Canadian group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Anna Bitieva was an Azerbaijani group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Barbara González Oteiza is a Spanish model and former group rhythmic gymnast. She represented her nation at international competitions.
Martyna Dąbkowska is a Polish group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions.
Malgorzata Lawrynowicz is a Polish group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions.
Alexandra Wojcik is a Polish group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions. She participated at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the all-around event together with Justyna Banasiak, Martyna Dąbkowska, Małgorzata Ławrynowicz, Anna Mrozińska and Aleksandra Zawistowska finishing 10th. She competed at world championships, including at the 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
Justyna Banasiak is a Polish group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Anna Kimonos is a retired Cypriot rhythmic gymnast.
Angela Gaye Walker is a New Zealand writer and former rhythmic gymnast. She won a gold medal and three bronze medals representing her country at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Anna Mrozińska is a retired Polish rhythmic gymnast who competed at the 2004 Olympics and the 2003 Gymnastic World Championship She retired from her professional career in 2006.
Poland 