MOSCOW, August 14 Chairperson of the Chinese section of the Healthy Lifestyle Council of the Russian-Chinese Committee of Friendship, Peace and Development Liang Yushi thanked the President of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (ARRG) Irina Viner for her contribution to the victory of the Chinese team in the group all-around at the Olympics in Paris.
Since 2022, the Chinese national team in group exercises has been coached by two-time Olympic champion Anastasia Bliznyuk. Based on the results of the exercises with five hoops, as well as three ribbons and two balls at the Olympics, the Chinese team scored 69.800 points. The Israeli team took second place (68.850), and the Italians came in third (68.100).
«We are very happy that the Chinese gymnasts achieved impressive results at the Olympic Games in Paris, winning gold medals and setting an Olympic record for Chinese rhythmic gymnastics. This honor would not have been possible without the efforts of you and your student, the head coach of the Chinese gymnastics team, Anastasia Bliznyuk, because a high-level coach is vital to forming an excellent team. As you said, this victory is the result of joint efforts and cooperation between Russia and China,» Viner quotes Yushi's letter on his Telegram channel.
In July 2023, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions in neutral status from January 1, 2024. The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team refused to participate in the competition under the conditions put forward by the FIG.