Press releases

MINSK, 1 August (BelTA) – The FIG World Challenge Cup 2017 – BSB Bank will gather athletes from 24 countries in Minsk on 4-6 August, head coach of the Belarusian rhythmic gymnastics national team Irina Leparskaya told a press conference in the sport and entertainment center Falcon Club on 1 August, BelTA has learned.

“It will be a festival of sports. The best athletes of 24 countries are expected to take part in the competitions. Belarus will field its eight rhythmic gymnasts, including 2016 Olympic Games finalist Yekaterina Galkina and 2017 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships bronze medalist Alina Gornosko. This is a new generation that is getting ready for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo,” Irina Leparskaya said. She added that the competitions in Belarus will be attended by FIG President Morinari Watanabe.

For the leading rhythmic gymnasts the FIG World Challenge Cup 2017 – BSB Bank in Minsk will be a rehearsal ahead of the 35th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2017 in Pesaro, Italy.

Belarus won seven medals at the 2016 BSB Bank Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Minsk Falcon Club. Belarusians won the Two Hoops and Six Clubs event earning the highest 18,550 points. The Belarusian team also claimed gold in the All-Around Group event. In the Five Ribbons group events the Belarusian team of Ksenia Cheldyshkina, Anna Dudenkova, Maria, Kadobina, Maria Kotyak, Valeria Pishchelina and Arina Tsitsilina finished second with 17,950 points. Melitina Staniouta graced the podium four times. She clinched silver with the Hoop (18,700 points) and bronze with the Ball (18,700 points). The Belarusian scored 18,650 points to claim bronze with the Clubs and collected one more bronze in the All-Around Individual.