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16:40

Russia confident ahead of Rhythmics

The London 2012 Rhythmic Gymnastics is set to get under way tomorrow, with Russia aiming for a clean sweep of gold medals according to coach Irina Viner-Usmanova.
Evgeniya Kanaeva of Russia competes in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Evgeniya Kanaeva of Russia competing in the Individual All-Around final held at the University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium on Day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Russia will be represented in the Individual All-Around by Daria Dmitrieva and Evgeniya Kanaeva and will also compete in the Group All-Around event, both of which are being staged at Wembley Arena.

Viner-Usmanova is confident her team can repeat the gold medals they won in both Individual and Group competition at last year's World Championships in Montpellier.

She said: 'For three years the Russian team was not number one but this year we have good results and now in the Olympic Games we have a very good chance of winning, but God makes the decisions whether we are good or not good.

'Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, everyone has the possibility to win the gold medal. We are in very good company.

'We have a new style of gymnastics and it is of the highest level. In the Group all of our athletes could compete in the Individual - they are of that level.

'Dmitrieva is a strong gymnast but she is only 16, just turned 17.

'We were not sure if she would be able to show being so young. But the world wanted to see her so we made the decision.'

Bulgaria's Group All-Around coach, Mariela Pashalieva-Koeva, believes her team will wow the crowds with their stunning routines.

She said: 'Bulgaria is the only team who has risks - we have the biggest risks. We throw apparatus with our legs and catch with our legs.

'Our balls routine is very difficult. We play slowly and without mistakes, which is the hardest thing to do in Rhythmic Gymnastics and hardest in the Group (All-Around) because you have to be very exact.

'Your timing has to be very precise as it is easy to make mistakes when you play slowly. The other teams play quickly and make many mistakes.

'We have a strong history in the sport, but now things are different. Bulgaria led in all sports, in Seoul (in 1988) we were very strong, now we have no money for sport and the politics are very different.

'But we are fighting and we are strong. Now we are world champions again (in Ribbon and Hoop) and you will see our strength again this Olympic Games.'


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12
August