"Children get another chance." Coach Olga Katkova on Interregional sports competitions

Olga Katkova's students from the Samara Arabesque school of aesthetic and rhythmic gymnastics have been participating in  International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association  tournaments of the International Association of Clubs "Heavenly Grace" for the second year in a row.

Coach told us what performing at the Interregional competitions means for her students.

"We took part in the tournament when Master of Sports candidates and Master of Sports competed. Now we have invited the first category. The girls were very happy because it was a big, large-scale tournament. And for them it was both an honor and a joy," Olga said.

Olga also noted the advantages of the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association rules.

"The children came back with a new experience, the experience of large-scale performances. And a slightly different concept here — more emphasis on purity of movement, purity of emotions. It is extremely important. First of all, gymnastics is pure lines, pure movements, beauty, emotions. Gymnastics is not only a sport, it is an art form. The emphasis on artistry, on the purity of performance, of course, helps a lot to develop emotionality and even elegance in a child," she said.

In addition, the coach noted the importance of holding Interregional athletic competitions.

"Not everyone gets to the districts after the selection, and then to the Russian championship. And the children get another chance. Of course, this is very important," she said.