Competitors from 29 countries will take part in the World Cup Series in Rhythmic Gymnastics to be held in Minsk Palace of Sports from 21 to 23 May. This was informed at a press conference by the head coach of the Belarusian team Irina Leparskaya, BelTA informs.
It is expected that among the participants in the Minsk World Cup Series there will be gymnasts from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Finland, France, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, USA, Uzbekistan, Brazil, India, Canada China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Venezuela and Hungary.
According to Irina Leparskaya Eugenia Kanayeva, Beijing-2008 , as well as prize-winners of the Olympiad and world sports forums will also come to Minsk. "Besides spectators will be able to see representatives of the new generation who are already preparing for the Olympic Games in London-2012", added Irina Leparskaya.
At the tournament Belarus will be represented by the national team in the group exercises and by the strongest individual gymnasts who will fight for the top places in certain sports - Liubov Cherkashina, Melita Stanyuta.
As part of the World Cup BelSwissBank an international tournament "Crystal Rose" will traditionally be held. Junior age gymnasts (1995-1997 years of birth) from 14 countries will participate in the tournament. The number of participants is limited. An exception will be made only for Belarus which, as host country, will be represented by four athletes born in 1997.
By tradition the World Cup BelSwissBank will culminate in a grand spectacular performance under the name of "World Gymnastics Stars Show" in which the winners and all competition prize-winners will take part. This format is a Belarusian know-how. "It's our creation. We invented it when in 2003 we started to hold Grand Prix series in Minsk every year, and which in 2008 received the status of the World Cup. And the best gymnasts of the world are pleased to participate in this show. We receive many requests that is why we have to select because of the program. After all if the program is too big, it will be tedious for the spectators whom we usually wish to surprise with something new", promised Irina Leparskaya.
The tickets price to the World Gymnastics Stars Show will remain at the level of the previous shows. Depending on the location of seats the ticket cost will make up 5000, 10.000 and 15.000 Belarusian rubles. Admission to the competition is free.
Competition Program:
21 May, 16.00 - the opening ceremony and competition in group exercises (skills). Admission is free.
21 May, 19.00 - competition in individual exercise "Crystal Rose" (all-round). Admission is free.
22 May, 16.00 - competition in the individual exercise (skills). Admission is free.
23 May - Finals. Admission is free.
At 11 a.m. - group exercises.
At 12.30 - individual exercises.
23 May, 19.00 - World Gymnastics Stars Show (tickets are sold at the box office of the Palace of Sports).
Tournament organizers are: the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus, the Belarusian Association of Gymnastics, the Presidential Sports Club, the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, Republican unitary enterprise "Belsportobespechenie". The General sponsor of the competition is JSC "BelSwissBank".
