Rhythmic Gymnastics: European Qualification for the Youth Olympic Games

In the framework of the first 2018  Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix competition in Moscow carried out European qualification competition for the III. Youth Olympic Games (Nov. 2018 in Buenos Aires), there was the expected dominance of the Russian favorites. In a field of 56 juniors representing 33 different European nations Russia's Anastasia Sergeeva (62,300) beat the two Ukrainians Khrystyna Pohranychna (61,150) and Victoria Onoprilenko (60,200). Shortly before the competition the 2016 European junior Champion Polina Shmatko (RUS) pulled out last minute because of a toe injury suffered in training. Second placed Khrystyna Pohranychna (UKR) who did post the highest score of the day (16.900 with hoop). According to the rules of the World Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the gymnasts among the top 18 nations each won one starting position for the 3^rd Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires in November. This multi-sports event, like its big counterpart, takes place every four years for young athletes aged 14 to 18 years.