The FIG will aid the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation to send full men's and women's teams to the European Championships, which begin this week in Sofia (BUL), FIG President Bruno Grandi announced during the FIG Executive Committee meeting in Kuwait City last Thursday morning.
The political situation in Ukraine has left the country's sports federations without funding to travel to large competitions. The FIG has agreed to loan the national federation an amount that will permit its athletes to travel and compete in Sofia. The Ukrainian Olympic Committee and its President Sergei Bubka support the steps taken in this matter.
Ukraine, whose men's team finished fourth at the 2012 London Olympics, has several medal contenders, including All-around threat Oleg Verniaiev and 2013 European Still Rings co-champion Igor Radivilov. The women's team includes veteran Angelina Kysla and younger standouts Daria Matveieva, Olena Vasylieva, Krystyna Sankova and Olesya Sazonova. Ukraine also plans to send full men's and women's junior teams to Sofia.
The country has a long and rich tradition of producing World class gymnasts in both Artistic and Rhythmic gymnastics. 1992 and 1996 Olympic champions Tatiana Gutsu and Lilia Podkopayeva both hail from Ukraine, as did international standout Viktoria Karpenko, who came within a landing of winning the 2000 Olympic All-around title, and 2000 Olympic All-around bronze medallist Alexander Beresch. Ukraine's last World champion in Artistic Gymnastics was Irina Krasnyaska, who won gold on Balance Beam at the 2006 World Championships.
The country has a long and rich tradition of producing World class gymnasts in both Artistic and Rhythmic gymnastics. 1992 and 1996 Olympic champions Tatiana Gutsu and Lilia Podkopayeva both hail from Ukraine, as did international standout Viktoria Karpenko, who came within a landing of winning the 2000 Olympic All-around title, and 2000 Olympic All-around bronze medallist Alexander Beresch. Ukraine's last World champion in Artistic Gymnastics was Irina Krasnyaska, who won gold on Balance Beam at the 2006 World Championships.