Athletes from Israel and Ukraine led in the medal count at the 2020 European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships that took place in Kyiv, Ukraine on Nov. 26-29. It was the second time Ukraine hosted Europe’s main competition in the sport.
Israel took three gold medals, three silver and one bronze medal. Most notable was the victory of Israel’s Linoy Ashram in the senior individual’s all-around finals. Ashram beat Belorasian gymnast Alina Harnasko for the first place.
Ukraine took three gold medals, two silver and one bronze medal. In the 5 balls competition of the senior group finals, the Ukrainian team beat Israel for first place in a breathtaking performance.
The championship became historic for Turkey, whose team took its first-ever medal there. Turkish gymnasts beat Ukraine for the gold in the mixed apparatus competition (3 hoops and 2 pairs of clubs) of the senior group finals.
The championship took place at Kyiv’s Palace of Sports with a small crowd of spectators adhering to COVID-19 social distance regulations. Because of the pandemic, some teams withdrew from the competition, including Italy and Russia, as well as individual athletes from the Belarusian and Bulgarian groups.
