An international rhythmic gymnastics tournament for the prizes of Marina Lobach started in Minsk

In Minsk, the traditional international rhythmic gymnastics tournament for the prizes of Olympic champion Marina Lobach started. This year it brought together 100 participants from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mexico and Colombia. The Graces were divided into teams that received the names of great artists - Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci and others. It's reported by sb.by.

- Many years ago, when we moved to the beautiful Palace of Rhythmic Gymnast and started international competitions, we wanted to surprise the audience. Then we came up with the idea to hold team competitions, at the same time to unite gymnasts from different countries in teams. Since then, every year we came up with an idea for a tournament that would reflect what is in rhythmic gymnastics – it’s beauty, poetry, and stars. Last year, after the end of the competition, I thought about what to think about next time. Then Alina suggested the theme of artists. We are very pleased that our ideas were supported by the organizers. Each quartet includes graces of different ages. During the tournament, which ends on Sunday, 16 sets of awards will be played. The main prize - a personal statuette of Marina Lobach - will be awarded to the winner in the all-around at the seigneurs. Today, October 16, in the Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics, a solemn opening ceremony of the competition was held. But not only the graces were applauded by the stands - at the tournament Marina Lobach honored coach of Belarus Irina Leparskaya, who for 30 years headed our national team. Recently in this post she was replaced by Love Cherkashin.

Irina Yurievna is called a symbol of Belarusian rhythmic gymnastics and a man of the era. Her name is associated with many successes of our graces, and among the pupils of Leparskaya – Olympic champion Marina Lobach, Olympic medalists Inna Zhukova, Lyubov Cherkashin, Julia Raskina, Alina Gornosko and not only. Chairman of the Belarusian Gymnastics Association Elena Skripel stressed:

Irina Leparskaya is a man who created the history of rhythmic gymnastics in our country. We were always the best, always special, glorified our country - our flag was raised many times. Most importantly, during this period, Irina was able to raise a whole generation of children, who later turned into coaches, and then into experienced mentors, to whom you can transfer this important sports relay.

Irina Leparskaya received many warm words and thanks from representatives of the National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Sports, federations in various sports. Even the chairmen of World Gymnastics and European Gymnastics, who recorded the video messages, did not stand aside.

45 years ago, back in 1981, from the city of Smolevichi, a girl Marina Lobach and her coach came to Minsk who wanted to conquer the peaks of the sport - this is me, - said Irina Leparskaya. - I am very glad that during this time we managed to show, I think, a phenomenal result. Recently, I received a message in which it was estimated that over the past years, our entire Belarusian school has earned 100 medals in personal and group exercises at the world championships and the Olympic Games (not counting European championships, World Cup stages, etc.), which is a very beautiful figure. But our greatest achievement is the Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics, which was presented to us by Alexander Lukashenko and the whole of Belarus eight years ago. I consider this the biggest feat in my sporting life. It should stand for centuries, new stars should grow and light up in it.

Irina Leparskaya handed over the symbolic key that she received from the hands of the Head of State, Lyubov Cherkashina, and admitted that she would very much like our graces not to stop at the already won 100 medals - they exchanged the second hundred as soon as possible, and then reached two hundred.

- Work, and I am always there! – summed up Irina Yurievna.

Leparskaya does not leave gymnastics. She says she is entering a new life but is not retiring. And about what she plans to do next, Irina Yurievna promised to tell later.