Former student Svetlana Khorkina hosted the opening ceremony of the Pan-National Rhythmic Gymnastic Competition, now in its 19th year
Both the male and female competitions are divided into different levels; Master of Sport, Candidates of Sport and First and Second Class gymnasts, in both combined and separate apparatus. In addition to the usual awards for the winners there are individual prizes for complexity, artistry and beauty. Junior competitors are awarded prizes for the youngest male and female gymnasts.
Rector Professor Oleg Polukhin gave the opening address, saying,
“It gives me great pleasure to open the 19th competition to be held in this educational and sporting complex, which bears the name of our famous alumna Svetlana Khorkhina, a two-time Olympic Champion, nine-time World Champion, thirteen-time European Champion and an Honoured Master of Sport. It is doubly pleasant that she is attending today's tournament with Elena Zamolodchikova, a renowned gymnast and Master of Sport, two-time World Champion and two-time European champion.”
The Rector expressed his confidence that among the young athletes present were future Olympic Champions, and gave the traditional blessing 'to the victor, the spoils'.
350 gymnasts, some from Kharkov, competing in fifty categories will participate in the event which will end on the 16th March.
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