During Russia’s ongoing exclusion from international competitions, Russian rhythmic gymnasts still found ways to compete abroad. From July 22 to July 24, Minsk hosted the Crystal Rose tournament, held under the rules of the International Gymnastics Federation. The Russian national team featured Dina and Arina Averina, Lala Kramarenko, along with Belarusian athletes who faced international performance bans due to sanctions.
Belarusian rhythmic gymnast Margarita Timoshenko competed with the balls when she suddenly fell ill in the middle of her routine. She lost consciousness, lay on the floor, and exhibited nosebleed. Medical staff were promptly mobilized and provided the necessary care, quickly moving her off the carpet. The Belarusian Gymnastics Association later confirmed that Timoshenko had regained consciousness and was stable. They explained the episode as a stress-induced collapse triggered by high humidity and elevated blood pressure. The association stressed that she was fine now.
The Russian stars Dina and Arina Averina also faced challenges at the Minsk event. Before the competition began, Dina suffered an awkward moment as she bent her knee during a floor exercise and cried out in pain. Medical personnel administered first aid on the carpet, after which she consulted the team doctor and trainer Yulia Barsukova. She eventually returned to the floor and completed her routines with extra caution, performing all four apparatus routines with an ankle iced during some elements.
Arina Averina encountered issues during the finals of the individual apparatuses. While performing with clubs, a miscue occurred when the bullet-like club grazed her forehead, causing a rash and a small bump. The clubs routine proved to be a rough run for Arina. The object slipped from her hands, and she spent moments regathering it, ultimately losing points due to those interruptions. Nevertheless, she managed to secure a bronze medal in the ball category.
On the whole, the Minsk competition did not showcase peak form for the Averinas. Both sisters reached just two finals, with each earning a bronze medal. In the sticks routine, Arina climbed the podium, but in the hoop routine she finished sixth. The performance appeared technically demanding and included several errors such as two losses, a miscatch, and an awkward turn. Dina earned bronze in the ball exercise, with minor errors during catches by the wrists that prevented a higher placing. The ribbon routine proved especially challenging for her; after a less-than-perfect drawing and several rotation and fouette mistakes, the program ended prematurely, placing her in fourth overall.
Among the Russian competitors, Lala Kramarenko stood out as the strongest performer. She captured an individual all-around silver and took silver in the clubs and ribbon finals, as well as silver in the hoop final. In the ball final, Kramarenko’s performance was marked by an unexpected loss of the ball, though her recent results have kept her as a leading figure for the team. Belarusian rival Anastasia Salos dominated some events, winning gold with the hoop and securing silver medals with the ball and ribbon. Alina Gornosko, who ranked third all-around at the 2020 Olympics, impressed in Minsk by delivering strong results and contributing to Belarus’s gold medal tally with a silver in ball and bronze in hoop. The event in Minsk thus saw a tight contest between the Russian contingent and their Belarusian counterparts, with Belarusian athletes showcasing notable performances alongside the Russian stars. The overall outcome highlighted the resilience and high level of competition on the ground in Minsk for both teams. This competition took place under the current sanctions regime, shaping the roster and the competitive dynamics and aligning with ongoing discussions about international participation for athletes from affected regions. The event was monitored by official federation channels and reported through contemporary sports journalism from Minsk-based observers and federation notices. Attributions: the Belarusian Gymnastics Association and official competition reports from Minsk provided session summaries and medical updates about athlete health and safety.