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.
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.
Estela Giménez Cid is a Spanish former rhythmic gymnast who won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in the group all-around event. The team was formed by Giménez, Marta Baldó, Nuria Cabanillas, Lorena Guréndez, Estíbaliz Martínez and Tania Lamarca. She won the world championship twice in the three balls/two ribbons discipline.
Marta Baldó Marín is a Spanish rhythmic gymnast and Olympic Champion. She won a gold medal with the Spanish group at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The team was formed by Marta, Estela Giménez, Nuria Cabanillas, Lorena Guréndez, Estíbaliz Martínez and Tania Lamarca. She has also won bronze, silver and gold metals at the rhythmic gymnastics World Championships, and silver and bronze metals at the European championships.
Nuria Cabanillas Provencio is a Spanish rhythmic gymnast and Olympic Champion. She won a gold medal with the Spanish group at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The team was formed by Nuria, Estela Giménez, Marta Baldó, Lorena Guréndez, Estíbaliz Martínez and Tania Lamarca. Also she was three times world champion: two in 3 balls/2 ribbons and one in 3 ribbons/2 hoops. Nuria Cabanillas Provencio retired in 1999.
Lorena Guréndez García is a Spanish rhythmic gymnast and Olympic Champion. She competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and won a gold medal with the Spanish group. The team was formed by Lorena, Estela Giménez, Marta Baldó, Nuria Cabanillas, Estíbaliz Martínez and Tania Lamarca. Also, she was twice world champion: one in 3 balls/2 ribbons and other in 3 ribbons/2 hoops.
Estíbaliz Martínez Yerro is a Spanish rhythmic gymnast and Olympic Champion. She competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and won a gold medal with the Spanish group. The team was formed by Estíbaliz, Estela Giménez, Marta Baldó, Nuria Cabanillas, Lorena Guréndez and Tania Lamarca. Also she was two times world champion in 3 balls/2 ribbons.
Anna Bitieva was an Azerbaijani group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Tayanne Mantovaneli is a Brazilian group rhythmic gymnast. She represents 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.
Yevgeniya Gennadyevna "Yenia" Burlo is a Belarusian group rhythmic gymnast. She represented her nation at international competitions.
Inha Andriïvna Kozhokhina is a Ukrainian group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions.
Oksana Paslas was a Ukrainian group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions.
Marta Linares García is a Spanish group rhythmic gymnast representing her nation at international competitions. She is the current coach of the Spanish Individual National Team in Madrid.
Ilektra Elli Efthymiou is a Greek group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Maria Kakiou was a Greek group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions.
Sonia Abejón Esteban is a Spanish gymnast. She competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She currently trains the San Fernando de Henares Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in the city of the same name.
Ana María Pelaz Mota, also known as Ana Pelaz, is a former Spanish rhythmic gymnast who competed with the group at the Olympics in Beijing 2008. She won medals in various international competitions. From 2014 to 2020 she was the coach of the national junior group, and since September 2020 she is the coach of the senior group together with Alejandra Quereda at the CAR in Madrid.
Iratxe Aurrekoetxea Urrutikoetxea is a retired Spanish rhythmic gymnast and coach. She has trained some of the most prominent gymnasts in Spain.
Spain
