"It's good that we can go a long way together!" Coach Olesya Kovaleva on the Academy selection process

The Academy continues to choose the youngest gymnasts for free additional education groups.

After another screening, coach Olesya Kovaleva told us what the staff pay attention to.

"We really look at the girls very thoroughly. In girls, we first of all pay attention to physical abilities. Girls are given flexibility exercises, stretching, and joint mobility. Those girls who pass all these tests and exercises very well naturally move on to the next round," the coach said.

She noted that doctors are watching the selection participants together with the coaches.

"Yes, indeed, we work together, in the sense that we always work together. And if the girl passes the test well, then the doctors will definitely look at her physical indicators too. And we look, if there are any contraindications to being involved in gymnastics, we always consult with them," Olesya said.

The coach also assessed the girls’ level of preparation.

"This year, 2024, there are a lot of children born in 2021, 2020. There are girls born in 2019 coming, less, of course, already born 2018 and 2017. The girls are already prepared, they come from different schools just to showcase themselves. Eyes are shining. There is a great desire to take part in rhythmic gymnastics, there are, naturally, indications of this, that is, good physical ability, and it is very good that we can go a long way with this child and ultimately raise a good, talented gymnast," she said.

The free additional education groups for preschoolers with a focus on rhythmic gymnastics and foreign languages ​​began operating at the Academy in September last year.