Alina Kabaeva at the opening of the Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics in Minsk

Belarusian rhythmic gymnasts are a good competition to Russian athletes, Alina Kabaeva, the 2004 Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics, told journalists at the inauguration ceremony of the National Rhythmic Gymnastics Olympic Training Center (Palace of Gymnastics) in Minsk on 6 March.

Alina Kabaeva noted that she has always been friends with Belarusian rhythmic gymnasts. The Russian athlete said she was happy that Minsk has built such a center, one of the best in the world. “It is a great honor for me to be here today,” she said.