You're reading: World Gymnastics Championship to kick off in Kyiv

Kyiv’s Palats Sportu (Palace of Sports) will starting from Aug. 27 until Sept. 1 host the 32nd World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. Held since 1963, 289 female gymnasts from 59 countries will match skill in four competitions: hoop and ball, clubs and ribbon, all-round individual and all-round group competitions. 

Ukrainian
Olympic medalist and world-known rhythmic gymnast Anna Bessonova said she is
thrilled the event is taking place in Ukraine.

“I have
my own vision of the championships here in Ukraine and due to the efforts of
many people who are involved in its organization I am sure it will be
fulfilled,” says Bessonova, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist.

When
asked of her forecast for the winners, she said without hesitation that “I am a
sportswoman, not a forecaster. The only thing that I am convinced in is the
high level of preparation of the Ukrainian women. They are ready to fight till
the end.”

Talking
about the strong points of Ukrainian female gymnasts, Iryna Blohina, director of
this year’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, outlines plenty.

“Our sportswomen are going to surprise with
their style, diversity and uniqueness. They have been working hard 24/7 getting
prepared for this competition,” said Blohina. “Usually we see Russian
participants show the best results. Still, this time a real rivalry will start
off.”

Besides
Russian, Japanese female gymnasts are also considered favorites.

“They are
excellent role models since they have everything prepared to the tiniest bit,” says Bessonova.

 At the same time, Bessanova regards the Ukrainian
“purity of performance and strong world-known school of rhythmic gymnastics” as
an outstanding asset of homegrown female gymnasts.

The championship
will also show to what extent the Ukrainian gymnasts are ready for the 2016 Olympic
Games.

“This
event is a starting point for teams from around the world to define leaders of
rhythmic gymnastics for the next four years. I am sure, that Ukrainian ‘graces’
will represent our country with dignity at the most pivotal competition of the
year here in Kyiv and in 2016 in Rio de Janerio,” says Iryna Derugina, vice-president
of the Federation of Gymnastics in Ukraine.

This will
be yet another international event hosted by Ukraine. In August, Ukraine hosted
the under-16 European basketball championship, and last summer it co-hosted the
European soccer championship with Poland.

Ukraine
also will host the 2015 European basketball championship and plans to bid for
the rights to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The tickets are available at kiev2013.com/en.

Schedule of activities

August 27

 

7-9 p.m.

 

 

Opening ceremony

 

Palats Sportu

August 28

 

9 a.m. -7 p.m.

 

8-9 p.m.

 

9 p.m.

 

 

Individual Competitions – Qualification CI – Hoop and Ball

Individual Competitions – Finals CIII- Hoop and Ball

 

Awarding ceremony of finals

 

 

 

Palats Sportu

August 29

 

9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

8-9 p.m.

9 p.m.

 

 

Individual Competitions – Qualification CI – Clubs and Ribbon

 

Finals CIII – Clubs and Ribbon

Awarding ceremony of finals

 

Palats Sportu

August 30

 

2-7 pm.

 

7 p.m.

 

 

Individual competitions- All-Around

 

Awarding ceremony

 

Palats Sportu

August 31

 

3-8 p.m.

 

8 p.m.

 

 

Group Competitions – All-Around

 

Awarding ceremony

 

Palats Sportu

September 1

3-4.30 p.m.

 

4.30 p.m.

6 p.m.

 

Group Competitions – Group Finals

 

Awarding ceremony

Closing ceremony and Gala concert

Palats Sportu

KyivPost
intern Yuliya Hudoshnyk can be reached at
[email protected]