European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics kicks off in Baku

The 35th European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics is opening at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.

During the four-day championships, senior female gymnasts will perform in the individual program, while junior gymnasts will participate in the group exercise program. In total, the gymnasts will compete for 8 medal sets.

Today, on the first day, the opening ceremony of the European Championships starts at 16.00 (Moscow time), after which the juniors will perform in group exercises with five hoops. 

The opening ceremony of the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics has started with a parade of flags, the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reported.

President of the European Union of Gymnastics Farid Gaibov addressed the audience. "Azerbaijan holds the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics for the fourth time. As always, the competitions are organized at a high level. Therefore, I want to thank President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Mehriban Aliyeva, members of the organizing committee, volunteers and you, dear fans," he said.

On May 17, qualifying competitions in hoop and ball routines will be held among senior individuals at 11:00 (Moscow time).

On May 18, the senior individuals will compete with clubs and ribbon at 09:00am (Moscow time). the junior groups will present their exercise with 5 ribbons at 15:40 (Moscow time). Strongest gymnasts in team competition and all-around will be awarded at the ceremony.

In the finals, which will be held on Sunday, at 11:00 (Moscow time) junior group finals with 5 hoops and 5 ribbons will start, at 13:30 (Moscow time) - senior individual apparatus finals with hoop and ball. Strongest gymnasts will be awarded at the SmartScoring Shooting Star Award ceremony. A gala concert and the official closing ceremony of the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics are to follow - 16:40 (Moscow time).

Gymnasts from 35 countries are participating in the European Championships. Azerbaijan will be represented by senior gymnasts Zohra Agamirova and Veronika Gudis, and juniors Nazrin Jafarzade, Eleonora Yusifova, Laman Alimuradova, Farida Safiyarzade, Madina Asadova, Seljan Hajizade and Milana Akperova. Russia will be represented at the tournament by Alexandra Soldatova, Arina Averina and Dina Averina (Ekaterina Selezneva in reserve), as well as a junior team of Amina Khaldarova, Elizaveta Koteneva, Alexandra Semibratova, Dana Semirenko, Alisa Tishchenko and Anna Batasova.

The European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics is being held in Baku for the fourth time. Earlier it was held in 2007,2009 and 2014.