MINSK, 4 August (BelTA) – The 2nd CIS Games will open with a rhythmic gymnastics tournament on 4 August. Competing in the event will be athletes from ten countries, BelTA has learned.
The rhythmic gymnastics tournament in the Minsk Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics will feature the best athletes of the participating states. Thus, Alina Harnasko, the leader of the Belarusian national team and a bronze medalist of the Tokyo Olympics, will compete along with Yelizaveta Zorkina. Belarus will be represented by a junior team in group exercises. Russia has brought to Belarus its multiple world and European champion Arina Averina, as well as Lala Kramarenko and Anna Popova. Experts name Belarusians and Russians the main favorites at the tournament. The event will also feature athletes from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Cuba, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Qualifying team events as well as individuals (ball, hoop) are scheduled for 14.30 on 4 August. The tournament will feature nine medal events.
The 2nd CIS Games opening ceremony will take place at Minsk Arena on 5 August. This sports arena will also host the Games closing ceremony on 13 August. Competing in the Games will be over 2,000 athletes from 23 countries. The Belarusian cities hosting the competitions will include Minsk (rhythmic gymnastics, athletics, volleyball, modern pentathlon, shooting, beach football, 3x3 basketball), Brest (handball, swimming), Grodno (field hockey, weightlifting), Gomel (judo), Vitebsk (Thai boxing), Mogilev (archery, karate), Soligorsk (wrestling), Molodechno (beach volleyball), Orsha (boxing), Zhlobin (sambo). Entry to all events is free.
