Press releases

24 Jul 2026

Minsk welcomes gymnasts from 16 countries for Crystal Rose Grand Prix

Alina Harnasko. An archive photo

MINSK, 24 July (BelTA) – The traditional international tournament Crystal Rose – Helena Valery Grand Prix has kicked off at the Minsk Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics, BelTA has learned.

Belarus will be represented at the home tournament by nearly all of its strongest gymnasts. Taking to the floor will be world champion and Olympic medalist Alina Harnasko, as well as medalists of major international competitions Darya Viarenich, Nicole Liauta, Hanna Kamenshchykava, Alina Rechkina, Hanna Kandrashyna and Daria Grokhotova. Among the juniors, European champion in the ball exercise Kira Babkevich will not perform, as she is recovering from an illness.

A strong lineup has been brought to Minsk by the Russian team, with participants including recent continental forum winner Sofia Ilteryakova, as well as titled athletes Milena Shchenyatskaya, Uliana Ianus, Kseniia Savinova and Iana Zaikina. In total, more than 230 gymnasts from 16 countries have entered the traditional tournament: Belarus, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, China, Israel, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, the UAE, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Syria.

On 24 and 25 July, the girls will compete in individual and group all-around events, and on 26 July they will compete for medals in individual apparatus finals. Winners will be determined in four age categories: children, pre-juniors, juniors and seniors. Admission to the stands of the Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics is free, and broadcasts of the performances are available on the Belarus 5 TV channel.

The organizers of the competition are the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee, the Minsk City Executive Committee, the Belarusian Gymnastics Association and the National Center for Olympic Training in Rhythmic Gymnastics.