The 30th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships took place from June 10 to June 15, 2014 at the then newly opened National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan. 33 participating federations with their juniors and seniors gymnasts participated at the event.
Participating countries
List of delegations participating in Championship.
Schedule
Wednesday, June 11
08h00 - 22h00 Official Training
18h00 Briefing session with the Heads of delegation
Thursday, June 12
08h00 - 22h00 Official Training
Friday, June 13
09h30 - 11h15 C I - Juniors, Group A - Hoop + Ball
11h50 - 13h50 C I - Juniors, Group B - Hoop + Ball
14h45 - 16h30 C I - Juniors, Group C - Hoop + Ball
17h00 - 17h55 Opening Ceremony
17h55 - 20h45 C I - Seniors groups alternating 10 Clubs / 3 Balls - 2 Ribbons 20h45 Award Ceremony - Seniors group all-around competition I Saturday, June 14 09h30 - 11h30 C I - Juniors, Group B - clubs + ribbon 11h50 - 13h50 C I - Juniors, Group C - clubs + ribbon 14h30 - 16 h 30 C I - Juniors, Group A - clubs + ribbon 16h30 - 17h00 Award Ceremony - Junior Team competition I 17h00 - 19h00 C II - Seniors, Group B - 4 apparatus (place 11 to 20 from ECh 2013) 19h15 - 21h15 C II - Seniors, Group A - 4 apparatus (place 01 to 10 from ECh 2013) 21h15 Award Ceremony - Senior individual all-around competition II Sunday, June 15 12h00 - 13h00 Competition III - Juniors - Hoop and Ball 13h00 - 14h00 Competition III - Juniors - Clubs and Ribbon 14h30 - 16h20 Competition III - Senior groups - 10 Clubs, 3 Balls and 2 Ribbons 16h30 Gala and Closing Ceremony
Overview
The 20 best senior individuals from 2013 will compete at the multiple competition (CII).
102 juniors (from 32 NF) will participate in the qualifying competition I (CI) and team competition and the final competition (4 apparatus) (CIII), 21 senior groups (consisted of 6 gymnasts) will present two different voluntary exercises, one executed with one apparatus (clubs), the other with different apparatus (3 balls/2 ribbons) on the occasion of the competition I (general competition) and the competition III (final competition for each exercise). At the European Championships in even years, the 20 best gymnasts from competition I of the previous year present their routines.
Controversies
According to Armenian sources, organizers of the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Baku asked the Belarusian Group to give up using the music of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, at a press conference in Minsk reported by the head coach Irina Leparskaya. The Group had performed under Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" in their 2 Ribbons + 3 Balls routine, but had to change the exercise under a different music 2 weeks before the start of the Championships event. As spokeswoman, Samaya Mamedova, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, said not interfere in any federations decisions: Regarding Belarus, we didn't ask them to abandon their music. This decision was taken by Belarus itself. This is another provocative information spread by Armenians to tarnish Azerbaijan as organizer of the European Championships of Rhythmic Gymnastics.
The usually medal contenders Belarusian Group finished 17th in all-around and placed last in 2 Ribbons + 3 Balls qualification score amongst 21 countries during the European Championships. Armenia did not compete and send any delegations at the championships.