How did Russian gymnast help China win its first gold in group Rhythmic Gymnastics at Paris Olympics? All about Anastasia Bliznyuk's contribution

By Agnijeeta Majumder

Modified Aug 12, 2024 08:17 GMT

Russian athlete Anastasia Bliznyuk, a two-time group all-around champion in rhythmic gymnastics, has coached the Chinese rhythmic gymnastics team since 2022. She played a big role in their win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the current ban on Russian athletes, Bliznyuk fulfilled her dreams through the Chinese team's Olympic glory.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Russia made its sixth appearance as an independent nation at the Games, amassing 56 medals, including 19 golds. However, an investigation commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that the RUSADA and the Centre of Sports Preparation of the National Teams of Russia, among other governing bodies, protected the participation of doped Russian athletes, who were involved in a years-long, state-sponsored doping scheme.

In December 2016, the McLaren Report stated that over 1000 Russian athletes were involved in doping with or without their knowledge from 2011 to 2015. In 2019, the nation was officially banned from the Olympics, and the athletes were allowed to perform under the banner of 'The Russian Olympic Committee' in Tokyo.

Anastasia Bliznyuk won the group all-around silver that year and also competed at the 2021 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship. The 30-year-old was not among the 15 Russian athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but her coaching talent came through during China's rhythmic gymnastics performance.

China became the first non-European country to take gold in gymnastics, leaving Israel and Italy behind in second and third, respectively. The Chinese team posted 69.800 points in the finals. Since the Russian team's Olympic debut in 1996, it has dominated the rhythmic competition but the team was absent this year owing to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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Anastasia Bliznyuk lauded champions China after their victory at the Paris Olympics

After the Chinese team took victory at the Paris Olympics, Bliznyuk took to her Instagram story to congratulate the gymnasts on the result.

"Olympic champions!" her caption read, alongside heart and china flag emojis.

Screenshot via Anastasia Bliznyuk's Instagram - @bli28zia

China coach Sun Dan also appreciated the team, saying:

"As it's rhythmic gymnastics, art has no frontiers. In this discipline, we should be inspired by the richness of all cultures, and we wanted to showcase the Chinese style. Here we have an association of art and sport, and I'm so happy because after so many years of effort we finally have a good result." (via ESPN)

The Chinese team last won silver in Group rhythmic gymnastics at the 2008 Beijing Games. For the first time, the team made waves at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena at the Paris Olympics.