HOPE FOR AN OLYMPIC MEDAL BOOSTED

Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnasts have won three bronze medals in the European Championships in Nizhny Novgorod. It was highly important to achieve success at the continental championship, as this was the last authoritative competition before the summer Olympics. The competition also clarified certain issues. By scoring 114,500 points and winning bronze in combined events, team leader Aliya Qarayeva has reaffirmed her high reputation. Gold and silver medals in this category went to Russians Yevgeniya Kanaeva and Alexandra Merkulova.

It should be noted that Aliya won her second bronze in combined events in Nizhny Novgorod. She first became one of the continent's strongest gymnasts in the 2010 championships in Bremen. The latest results suggest that her career is entering a new phase. In this sense, the London Olympics will be a real challenge for her.

Having won a medal in a tough competition, Aliya reaffirmed her claims to an Olympic medal in the most prestigious category. She has thus increased the chances of Azerbaijan winning a medal in the London Games. Qarayeva's stable performance is also worthy of note - she had won a bronze medal in the world championships too.

In addition to Aliya Qarayeva, young Azerbaijani gymnasts also displayed good performance at the championship. The bronze medals of Nilufar Niftaliyeva and Gulsum Safizada have revealed good prospects of the said gymnasts. Niftaliyeva won a bronze medal in the exercises with a hoop, while Safizada finished third in the exercises with a ribbon. Both may prove themselves in senior competitions in the future and it is thanks to them that the national team will not have problems with the change of generations. "In the European championships these gymnasts have proven to be the future of Azerbaijani gymnastics," says the head coach of the Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnastics team, Mariana Vassileva. The experienced specialist was quite pleased with the team's performance. "Of course, in comparison with the previous European championship, the latest successes speak for themselves. Last year in Minsk Azerbaijan won only one medal, whereas now we have three. The tone was set by the national team leader, Aliya Qarayeva, who has confirmed her reputation again. Her bronze medal in the Olympic combined events is worth a lot.

"And I can no longer talk about our young gymnasts Nilufar Niftaliyeva and Gulsum Safizada. I simply adore them! I have experienced incredible feelings together with them. Besides, the Azerbaijan team comprising the same Nilufar and Gulsum, as well as Marina Durunda and reserve gymnast Mansura Bagiyeva, finished fifth. And we are overjoyed today!

"I want to thank all our supporters, everyone in Azerbaijan who kept their fingers crossed, and also congratulate the president of our federation, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, on this achievement. 

"There are London Games in store, and our attention will now be focused on them!", the web-site of the Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation quotes the head coach as saying.

We have also learned the opinion of Aliya Qarayeva about the European Championship. The gymnast who will represent Azerbaijan at the Olympics has told us about her goals: "We have won the medal with our whole team. Thanks to the conditions created by our federation, we could train to the highest level. This medal is well deserved. Now all my thoughts are focused on the London Olympics. I believe in myself and I think I can compete for a medal at the Olympics. I hope the result in London will be no worse. To do this, I will work even harder. The success of Nilufar and Gulsum at the European championship was also worthy of note. Their medals show that a worthy replacement for members of the first team is growing in Azerbaijan."

Aliya Qarayeva's bronze medal was regarded as a great success by the head coach of the Russian national rhythmic gymnastics team, Irina Viner-Usmanova. "Aliya is a very strong and determined gymnast. She practiced a lot, never missed a single training session and listened to her coaches, which is important. And here's the result! Today Qarayeva showed some of her best exercises! She has a very strong character, which helps her in the sport.

"Aliya is very happy when the flag of her country is raised in a competition. And we, for our part, are also very happy and proud of her successes because we counsel her.

"I congratulate all of you, literally everyone who put in effort to this success! Please convey my congratulations to the president of the Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who does everything for the development of gymnastics in Azerbaijan. Isn't it great when the flag of a Muslim country is raised in such a women's sport!", the head coach of the Russian national team said.

With about a month left for the London Olympics. Aliya and other Azerbaijani sportsmen have begun preparations for the grand competition focusing all their energy and attention on it. Aliya Qarayeva is very close to entering her name into history in the truest sense of the word. Azerbaijan has yet to win an Olympic medal in rhythmic gymnastics.

WORD OF MOUTH

"Isn't it great when the flag of a Muslim country is raised in such a women's sport!", the head coach of the Russian national team, Irina Viner-Usmanova.