The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships are not just about world titles, but also about qualifying for the 2024 Olympics.
When does it start?
On Wednesday 23.8. The World Championships begins in the Congress Center of Valencia with the qualification of the individual gymnasts. For the first time, the first medal decisions will take place on the same day.
What decisions are there?
Which German athletes are at the start?
The individual gymnasts Darja Varfolomeev and Margarita Kolosov, as well as the German national group with: Anja Kosan, Hannah Vester, Alina Oganesyan, Danielle Kromm and Emilia Wickert.
What chances do the German gymnasts have?
Defending champion with the Clubs is Darya Varfolomeev. At the age of 15, the gymnast from TSV Schmiden won last year five medals at their World Championship premiere. Gold with the clubs, silver with the ball, in the all-around, with the team and bronze with the hoop. In addition, she became European champion with the ribbon in 2023. Varfolomeev is one of the top favorites in all finals. For Margarita Kolosov it is primarily about securing the second German single ticket for the Olympic Games. The qualification for Paris is also the focus for the national group.
What are the qualification criteria for the Olympics in rhythmic gymnastics?
A maximum of two individual athletes per country may start at the Olympics. Darja Varfolomeev secured the first German single ticket at the 2022 World Championships in Sofia with the all-around silver. Margarita Kolosov, her training colleague from the federal base in Fellbach-Schmiden, has to finish at least 17th in the all-around qualification in Valencia to enable Germany to get the second quota place. After graduating from high school, Kolosov prepared intensively for this World Cup in Valencia. The chances are good that she too will be able to take part in the Olympic Games for the first time.
The German group hasn’t qualified yet. For this, the five gymnasts have to place in the top eight in the qualification. A difficult but realistic goal. Most recently, at the Olympic Games in 2000, Germany was completely occupied with one group and two individual gymnasts.
