Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which gymnasts perform individually or in groups 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. At the international level, rhythmic gymnastics is a women-only sport.
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.
Bianka Panova is a Bulgarian individual rhythmic gymnast. She is a World and European champion and was one of the Golden Girls of Bulgaria that dominated rhythmic gymnastics in the 1980s. She is the 1987 World all-around champion, 1989 World all-around silver medalist, 1985 World all-around bronze medallist and 1986 European all-around champion. Panova won a total of nine World Championship gold medals. She now works as a rhythmic gymnastics coach.
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 the 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.
Maya Paunovska is a retired Bulgarian group rhythmic gymnast.
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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