Oksana Kostina Memorial
This year, the prestigious competition of rhythmic gymnastic, dedicated to the great athlete dead before her time, has reached the tenth. The past time from the tragic accident, that stole Oksana's life, hasn't diminished this exceptional gymnast's memory in all the lovers. The spell of her sinuous movements has been persisting in people who were lucky enough to see her on the mat and discloses the basis of the rhythmic gymnastic to ones who follow this difficult sport: "the will to beauty".
With 31 gymnasts taking part on behalf of 12 countries and by admirable organization of Olga Buyanova, exceptional trainer and passionate promoter of the manifestation, also this year a fascinating spectacle of rhythmic gymnastic was offered to the qualified audience of the Siberian town.
To crown the good programme, a great Irina Tchachina's performance sent into ecstasy the crowd that filled the Palace of Sport in Irkutsk.
Reportage: click on the pictures to start the sequences and wait for the download
Irkutsk, June 12/13, 2004
31 gymnasts taking part in the 10th
The first: Vera Sesina
The second: Aliya Yussupova
The third: Svetlana Putinseva
Irkutsk, June 12/13, 2004
In the first day, all the gymnasts competed by four different pieces of equipment (hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon); in the second one, the athletes which got the best eight scores of every single piece compared between them.
Irkutsk, June 12, 2004
In two days of competition, at the Palace of Sport, that was crowded by a warm audience of fans and by many reporters, an high-level international jury impeccably judged gymnasts' routines.
Irkutsk, June 13, 2004
A show... in the show: gymnasts' performances alternated with singers' suggestive ones and splendid choreographies of schoolgirls frequenting Irkutsk rhythmic gymnastic school, run by Olga Buyanova.
Irkutsk, June 13, 2004
To concluse competition days, in the official dinner, gymnasts and trainers strengthened their friendships: by then they, free frrom competition strain, gave themselves up to songs and dances full of youth fun.
Baikal, June 14, 2004
The careful and hospitable organization of the manifestation said goodbye to all the participants by a wonderful tour of the Lake Bajkal, "pearl of Siberia", magic and suggestive place and naturalistic site that's unique in the world.