From 27 to 31 May, the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held in Varna, Bulgaria. These were the first international competitions since 2021, where athletes from Russia and Belarus performed with the flag and national anthem. The International Gymnastics Federation lifted the restrictions in mid-May.
It was introduced in February 2022 after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has been applied not only to rhythmic gymnastics, but also to artistic gymnastics, trampoline, sport acrobatics and athletic aerobics. Representatives of Russia and Belarus were completely excluded from the competition. Since 2024, they have earned the right to perform in a neutral mode – that is, without a flag and an anthem.
Ukraine opposed the lifting of restrictions on Russian and Belarusian women. This decision was taken by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Named “Official approval of war, murder and genocide.” Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation did not boycott the tournament. “We cannot afford to boycott competitions and voluntarily provide the enemy with empty platforms and international platforms for its propaganda,” the ministry said.
One of the silver medals was brought to Ukraine by debutant Sofia Kerinskaya. On Thursday, May 28, the individual bar exercise finals were held. First place was taken by Russian Yana Zaykina, a student at Alina Kabaeva’s “Heavenly Grace” Academy. During the award ceremony, when the Russian anthem was played, Kerenskaya covered her ears with headphones and covered her eyes with her hands.
On the same day, Belarusian Kira Babkevich won the gold medal in the ball exercise. Varvara Chubarova, who placed third, did the same thing as Kerenskaya while performing the Belarusian anthem.
After the actions of Kerinskaya and Chubarova, the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation Announce On the occasion of the launch of the #Close_Eyes_and_Ears campaign in memory of the victims of war, calling on all sports federations in the world, regardless of sport, as well as athletes, coaches and fans, to join it.
But at the competitions in Varna, no one joined this campaign. Babkevich’s gold remained the only one for the Belarusian team, and the Russian national anthem was played after Yana Zaykina won again: On Sunday, Sofia Eletryakova won gold in the hoop exercise. The silver went to Belarusian Alina Gornosko, and the bronze went to Italian Sofia Rafaeli.
In total, Russian gymnasts won nine medals at the European Championships: two gold, four silver and three bronze, while Belarusian gymnasts won one gold and two silver. In the overall medal standings, Russia and Belarus ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. The Bulgarian team has the most gold medals (four), with Germany in second place and Spain in third place. Ukrainian gymnasts won two silver and two bronze, ranking seventh.
how Notes Eko, among the 15 Russian gymnasts who came to the European Championships, 13 of them train at Heavenly Grace in the Krasnodar Territory. Sofia Eletryakova trains in Moscow, but has also previously competed in competitions and events at the Alina Kabaeva Academy. Only junior Eva Chivtaeva is not connected to the academy.
Tatiana Sergeeva, who also works at Heavenly Grace, became the head coach of the national team in February 2025. She replaces Irina Wiener, who has led the team since 2001. Wiener has also coached Alina Kabaeva in the past. As the BBC Russian service wrote, a conflict arose between them, which cost Weiner several top positions in Russian sports.
Echo wrote that the representation of “heavenly grace” in the national team has been criticized by participants in a specialized telegram chat where gymnasts, their parents, journalists and coaches communicate. “We thought it would be better under Sergeeva, like a neutral coach who stands for fairness, and will not play favorites, but no… now it all depends on Ms. Kabaeva’s wishes…” the post quotes one commenter.
Russian Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev maleThat the results of the European Championship “confirm the high level of the Russian school of rhythmic gymnastics, its traditions and quality of training” – despite the fact that before the suspension the performances of Russian gymnasts were much more convincing. In 2021, they finished first in the medal standings and European ChampionshipAnd on World Championship.