Rhythmic gymnastics is one of the toughest sports for a young person, but it still attracts great interest in Bulgaria. This county’s national team has demonstrated a very high level of performance in numerous world, international and Olympic contests – and many gold, silver and bronze medals come to prove that.

A photo exhibition dedicated to the current “gold girls” team was unveiled in Sofia’s City Garden on the eve of one of the most significant sports events through the year – the 2018 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. The event will take place September 10 – 16 at the Arena Armeetz Hall in the capital city. We asked President of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation Iliana Raeva if the girls were once again ready to glorify the name and honor of Bulgaria:

“I think we will witness a very strong world championship. The competition is really tough and all the teams have prepared themselves very well due to that special charge they carry inside because of their arrival to Bulgaria. This country hasn’t been a host of a world championship for many years but they all know that rhythmic gymnastics is worshipped here. Any competitor will see it a matter of honor to score a victory over Bulgaria in front of its own audience.”

The sports forum has its own anthem, created by the Deep Zone Project band and also an exclusive advertising video has been shot with the participation of gymnast Radina Filipova. She has been selected to be the mascot of the team by Iliana Raeva herself. Radina also participates in 8-minute-long video, representing Sofia and the beauty and glory of Bulgarian tsarinas. This video will be a sort of a visiting card for Bulgaria at the unveiling ceremony. The delegations which arrive in Sofia on September 10 include over 900 people from 54 countries.

As far as the photo exhibition is concerned – it can be seen till September 5 and the federation’s president has said that the 28 photos of Anna Nedkova – full of grace and emotion – serve as inspiration not only for the girls, but also for all their fans that will support them during the world championships. Furthermore, there are shots of Petar Peshev displayed which will be used for a calendar that will be distributed for the purposes of charity. The incomes from the sale will be allocated to Bulgarian sports support activities.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev