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.
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.
XXVII World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held in Baku the capital of Azerbaijan, 3–10 October 2005 at the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex.
Dominika Červenková is a rhythmic gymnast from Czech Republic, who participated in 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Ayiesha Naazmi Johnston is an Australian rhythmic gymnast who represented Australia at the 2008 Summer Olympics as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She competed at world championships, including at the 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and 2010 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
Adriana Dunavska is a Bulgarian individual rhythmic gymnast. She is the 1988 Olympic All-around silver medallist, 1987 World All-around silver medallist, 1989 World All-around bronze medallist and the 1988 European All-around champion. She also won a gold medal at the 1987 World Championships with the rope. Her twin sister, Kamelia Dunavska was also a competitive rhythmic gymnast.
Rut Castillo Galindo is a Mexican individual rhythmic gymnast. She represented Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics and became the first Mexican, and LGBTQ+ rhythmic gymnast to compete at an Olympic Games. She is the 2021 Pan American all-around champion. At the 2007 Pan American Games, she won the silver medal in hoop and the bronze medals in the all-around and clubs. She is an eight-time Central American and Caribbean Games champion. She has also competed at nine World Championships.
Vafa Huseynova was an Azerbaijani group rhythmic gymnast. She represented her nation at international competitions.
Odette Richard was a South African individual rhythmic gymnast. She represented her nation at international competitions. She participated at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Theodora Pallidou is a Greek individual rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Natalia Peixinho Sanchez is a Brazilian group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions. She competed at world championships, including at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
Xiao Yiming is a Chinese individual rhythmic gymnast. She represents China at international competitions. She competed at the 2005 and 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. She had her highest placement finishing 19th in All-around at the 2005 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Malgorzata Lawrynowicz is a Polish group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions.
Yevgeniya Gennadyevna "Yenia" Burlo is a Belarusian group rhythmic gymnast. She represented her nation at international competitions.
Larissa Evangelista is a Brazilian group rhythmic gymnast. She represented Brazil in international competitions. She competed at world championships, including at the 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Fanny Perret is a Swiss group rhythmic gymnast. She represents Switzerland in international competitions. She competed at World championships, including at the 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
Tuğçe Oylumlu is a Turkish individual rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions. She competed at world championships, including at the 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
Zuzana Kubalová is a Czech rhythmic gymnast.
Zhang Ying is a Chinese group rhythmic gymnast. She competed at the 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
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