Individual All-Around Preliminaries
First Day of Prelims Sees SEREBRYANSKAYA in First
First-time Olympic participant Ekaterina SEREBRYANSKAYA (UKR) leads the individual competition after two rotations at the rhythmic gymnastics competition at the University of Georgia Coliseum in Athens, Ga. SEREBRYANSKAYA scored a 9.873 with the ball and a 9.832 with the clubs to lead at 19.615. In second is Elena VITRICHENKO (UKR) at 19.600 followed by Tatiana OGRYZKO (BLR) at 19.500.
Maria PETROVA (BUL), one of the medal favorites in the competition, opened with a drop while performing a behind-the-back catch during her ball routine. Her score for that routine was a 9.183. She rebounded with a 9.800 with the clubs and stands in 13th place after two preliminary rotations. Ironically, PETROV had impressed the crowd by perfectly executing that move 30 July at the gymnastics gala at the Georgia Dome.
Also in contention is the remarkably flexible Ianina BATYRCHINA (RUS), who drew applause for her ball routine before the music even started. Unfortunately, she too had a miscue with the ball and stands in eighth at 19.082. The second round of preliminaries will take place 2 August at 10:00.
Top three after two rotations: 1. Ekaterina SEREBRYANSKAYA (UKR), 19.615; 2. Elena VITRICHENKO (UKR) 19.600; 3. Tatiana OGRYZKO (BLR) 19.500.
"I wasn't nervous, I don't know what happened," said Ianina BATYRCHINA (RUS). "I just dropped the ball. I'm very upset. I wish to perform very well without any mistakes. While training, I couldn't say for sure that I would get the gold. But now, if I go step by step without any mistakes, I think I could get the gold."
A New Direction for Rhythmic Gymnastics
A narrow margin separates the top three teams after the preliminary round of the first-ever rhythmic gymnastics group competition at the University of Georgia Coliseum. Bulgaria's two-round total of 39.016 included the technique necessary in the hoop competition and the artistic nature required in the ball and ribbon event. Spain stands at 38.996 after the first day of competition, with the Russian Federation team in third at 38.882.
The top six teams from the preliminaries will compete in the finals 2 August.
In the group competition, five athletes perform together to music, interacting with the music, each other, and the equipment: either five hoops or two ribbons and three balls.
Top Three Teams After Preliminaries: 1. BUL, 39.016; 2. ESP, 38.966; 3. RUS 38.882.
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