The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is pleased to announce that 2004 Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva (RUS) will be the Gymnastics Ambassador for the 35th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Pesaro, Italy, 30 August to 3 September 2017.
This is the first year that the FIG has decided to invite a legend of the discipline to serve as an inspirational model during the flagship event of the year. Ms. Kabaeva was chosen not only because she is one of the most successful gymnasts who marked the history of the sport by her elegance and creativity, but also due to her links with Italy where as a young athlete, she took part in training camps.
"The FIG extended an invitation which I, certainly, could not refuse. I am very pleased that Russia is entrusted with this honorable mission, as it was our country that introduced Rhythmic Gymnastics to the world," said Ms. Kabaeva.
"Rhythmic Gymnastics is the kind of sport that teaches people to understand and feel the beauty of movement to music. I would like to see as many people in the world as possible join this sport. Particularly children. Not necessarily for medals. The more beauty surrounding a child from his or her early years the more harmonious a person he or she will become in the future," she added.
Ms. Kabaeva will take part in various activities on site during the World Championships, notably presenting the new World All-around Champion with her gold medal, a title she won herself twice: in 1999 and 2003.
"The FIG's success rests on the wonderful accomplishments of our sport's former stars. We must respect them and never forget what they have contributed to our history," said FIG President Morinari Watanabe.
Nellie Kim, Vice President of the FIG and Chair of the FIG Ambassadors' Commission, commented: "We are absolutely delighted that Alina Kabaeva will be the FIG Gymnastics Ambassador at the World Championships in Italy! She is, indeed, an absolute legend in Rhythmic Gymnastics not only because of her multiple titles and achievements at the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s, but also because of her sunny personality and ability to connect with audiences anywhere in the world. I am sure this talent will serve her well in her important role as the FIG Ambassador in Pesaro."
President of the Organizing Committee of the Pesaro World Championships, Paola Porfiri chairs the Aurora Fano club where Alina Kabaeva came to train in 1998 and 1999. "I saw her develop from a little-known gymnast into the grand champion of world Rhythmic Gymnastics. Seeing her extraordinary success year after year has always been a source of great pride. Having her come to Pesaro as Ambassador for the first World Championships in Italy will also be a chance to express my gratitude to her for having contributed to making Aurora Fano one of the most important Rhythmic Gymnastics clubs in Italy."
For more information, please contact:
FIG Media & Communications Department
Email: mediafig@fig-gymnastics.org
Tel: +41 21 321 55 10
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