What is rhythmic gymnastics? This sport is a branch of gymnastics, which makes use of items such as balls and ribbons. Rhythmic gymnastic performances are short routines that range from 60 to 90 seconds.
Israel’s rhythmic gymnastic team obtained many achievements in the last few years, including a bronze medal at the world championship in the ribbon exercise at France in September 2011. However, because of a weak ball exercise at the world championship, the Israeli team came in a disappointing 10th place overall.
After that disappointment, there was a lot of pressure to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London. Only 12 teams from the whole world can make it to the Olympics in rhythmic gymnastics, and the Israeli team worked extremely hard to make it. In the selection contest to the Olympics, the goal of the Israeli team was to make it in the top 4.
At the end of the day, they won the third place, and they will proudly represent Israel later this year in London. This is the second time an Israeli rhythmic gymnastics team will take part in the Olympic Games (they competed at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008).
Since then, the amount of gymnasts on the team increased from six to seven, as bronze medalist from the world championship in rhythmic gymnastics with hula hoops, Neta Ribkin, also promised her place at the Olympics.
Ra’anan Varshbiak, chairman of the gymnastics organization in Israel, said: “at the beginning I was nervous, but now I’m calm. Only 12 teams make it to the Olympics, and the task was difficult, but they succeeded. Therefore, they are going to London, and they deserve it.”
The team in London (video from figchannel on youtube.com)
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