site.btaSome 300 Gymnasts from 62 Countries to Participate in 2022 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Sofia

Some 300 gymnasts from 62 countries will take part in the 39th FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships hosted by Sofia's Arena Armeec Hall from September 14 through to 18. The event is the first qualifying competition for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, with the first three ranked senior individuals and groups in the all-round competition winning quotas for the Olympic Games, Secretary General of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation Rossina Atanassova told a news conference on Wednesday. 

About 700 people are expected to arrive for the event in Sofia, among whom 85 individual gymnasts, 30 group teams, coaches, national federations presidents, 35 FIG representatives, 40 officials, some 100 reporters. FIG President Morinari Watanabe is expected as well. 

The motto of the event is "Colours of the Rhythm" and the aim is to showcase the Bulgarian folklore to the world. 

"We chose for the event's logo the Bulgarian folk embroidery and folklore which we want to show to the guests in Sofia. It is very important to stress that this is the second time in the past four years when Bulgaria hosts the world championships which is proof of FIG's recognition of this country's rhythmic gymnastics," Atanassova said. 

Former prominent Bulgarian gymnast Neviana Vladinova has been chosen as Rhythmic Gymnastics Ambassador for the world championships by the FIG and the local organizing committee. Vladinova will present medals, in particular the gold medal to
the individual all-round winner. 

Speaking at the news conference Vladinova said that as an ambassador of the event she will have the exceptional responsibility of presenting Bulgaria and its beauty. "I will be at the venue at all times where I will interview gymnasts and watch the interesting games that will be held with visitors," she said. 

Bulgaria will be represented by two individual gymnasts: Boryana Kaleyn and Stiliana Nikolova, and the national group team.

This will be Kaleyn's second appearance at a world championships event hosted by Sofia while 17-year-old Nikolova will debut at a world championships competition. 

The championships will be aired live by the Bulgarian National Television. The event's official website is https://www.rgwch2022.com.