With less than a full week to go until the start of the 2022 World Championships in Sofia, the LOC in the face of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation held a press conference for the representatives of the Bulgarian media. Here are some of the key points mentioned during it:
- This year’s slogan is „Colors of the rhythm“
- The entire branding and design of the event is focused on and inspired by the traditional Bulgarian motives found on clothing „shevitza“
- 62 countries will participate with 30 groups and 89 individual gymnasts
- 62 countries will participate with 30 groups and 89 individual gymnasts
- A total of 700 athletes, coaches, judges, and officials from all over the world are expected
- About 100 accredited media representatives will arrive in Sofia
- More than 16 National federations’ presidents will attend the competition, which is a record number
- As Norway will not participate, their quota, won at the 2022 Europeans will be passed on to Asia and Anna-Marie Ondaatje from Sri Lanka
- Izzah Amzan from Malaysia will not participate due to injury. The quota will possibly pass to a gymnast from Singapore, but since there’s very little time left till the start and arranging the traveling and accommodation isn’t easy, they have not yet confirmed their participation.
- The group from Egypt will not compete, due to injury
- The opening ceremony will feature the Olympic Champions from the Bulgarian group, as well as the „100 Kaba Gaidi“ folklore orchestra
- A motivational meeting with the Ambassador of the World Championships Neviana Vladinova, as well as RG TC president Noha Abou Shabana and athletes’ representative Siyana Vasileva will take place on Monday evening.
- The ambassador has also prepared games for the fans in the crowd, she will be available for autographs, and will interview the participating gymnasts
- Boryana Kaleyn is the first Bulgarian gymnast, who’ll participate in 2 World Championships in Bulgaria
- Kaleyn‘s clubs routine went through some serious changes before the World Challenge Cup in Cluj-Napoca, in order to increase both the body and the apparatus difficulty. Minor modifications have also been introduced after the competition
- Both Kaleyn and Stiliana Nikolova are conducting ‘modeled trainings’ in the time range, in which they’ll compete, with a focus on trainings after 9:00 PM, to help them prepare for the apparatus finals
- „I think the entire competition will be very interesting to follow, as it’s gonna be the first time that [the results are] unpredictable“, said BGRGF secretary general Rossina Atanassova
- The closing gala’s theme is „World Folk Magic“ and all participating NFs are invited to participate with a dance traditional to their country. Besides hosts Bulgaria, we’ll see the team of Greece, and likely Spain. France and Azerbaijan have declined.
