Over 350 gymnasts from 61 countries will take part at the 36^th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Sofia from September 10 until September 16. Bulgaria hosts for the third time World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, but this country’s capital Sofia hosts this event for the first time. In 1969 and 1987 the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held in the coastal city of Varna. The 36^th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships is the first qualifier for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Three rhythmic gymnastics groups which earn the gold, the silver and the bronze in the all-around event will qualify directly for the Summer Olympic Games in Japan.