European Gymnastics Championships 2024: three unforgettable moments from Rimini
With just months to go before the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Europe's best gymnasts came together to compete at the European Gymnastics Championships on Italy's Adriatic coast, with the men's edition taking place from 24-28 April, and the women's from 2-5 May.
Vying for titles in the individual all-around, the team competition, and apparatus finals – six for men, four for women – there was also one quota berth for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 available for just one man and one woman from the continental championships, to compete at the Bercy Arena starting Saturday 27 July.
Here are three unforgettable moments from Rimini.
Paris 2024 quota spots secured
Marios Georgiou obtained the Paris 2024 quota spot for Cyprus in the men's event, having a sensational competition after being out of the sport with injury, which resulted in an operation on his shoulder in November. With his focus on the Olympic quota, Georgiou's main aim was to go through cleanly and see where that took him.
By virtue of doing just that, Georgiou made history for his country after becoming the first Cypriot to win the European all-around title. Not only that, his nation qualified for the team final for the first time ever. Not only that, Georgiou also claimed silver and two bronze medals in the apparatus finals. All in all, a never-forget championships for the 26-year-old from Limassol.
In the women's event, Maellyse Brassart of Belgium secured a coveted quota spot for the upcoming Olympics, after coming tenth in the all-around, the highest placed eligible athlete. A second Olympics therefore beckons for the law student.
* As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
* Click here to see the official qualification system for each sport.
Italy women experience ultimate highs and lows at home championships
Italy women claimed a sensational 16 medals at their home European Championships, eight of those gold, with half of those eight titles belonging to one gymnast, Manila Esposito.
The 17-year-old won gold on day one in the all-around, then beam and floor apparatus titles, and finally, the celebratory team gold alongside compatriots Alice D'Amato, Angela Andreoli and veteran Elisa Iorio, with the team competition taking place in front of an exuberant crowd on the final day, Sunday (5 May).
One name missing from that quartet was Asia D'Amato who had been carried out of the arena with injury on the second apparatus on day one, clutching her leg after her final tumble on floor.
Asia had only just returned from a lengthy lay-off due to injury, so the moment was particularly devastating for the siblings and their teammates, who all train together. The sisters also lost their father in September 2022, so the emotions were running high, particularly in front of the home crowd.
However, Asia returned to the arena on crutches for the apparatus finals two days later, to cheer on her sibling and teammates, with the team putting on quite the show for her. As Alice, who claimed individual silver all-around and defended her title on bars, told Olympics.com: "I have to (compete) both for me and for her."
European Gymnastics Championships firsts
Akin to Cyprus making a first appearance in the men's team final, Sweden did the same in the women's edition. Nathalie Westlund, Jennifer Williams, Elina Grawin, Maya Ståhl and Tonya Paulsson competed in the cavernous Fiera Rimini arena coming eighth in the final.
Westlund also came a creditable sixth in the bars final, showcasing stunning form in handstand throughout and describing the experience as "incredible".
"To be out on the podium yesterday and compete with the best gymnasts in Europe, I had so much fun😍," she posted.
Westlund and Williams also competed in the all-around competition coming 12th and 17th, respectively.
Kudos also goes to Valëza Rama, Katrina Thaqi, and Vilëza Zeqiri who made history for Kosovo when they made a first-ever appearance for their nation at the women’s European Championships.
And to round off the Italian job with a nod to the future, keep your eyes peeled for one Giulia Perotto. The 14-year-old wowed the crowd in the junior competition with performances that wouldn't look out of place in the senior event, her floor exercise particularly captivating. Italy's conveyor belt of super talent continues.
Paris 2024 looming large
So, to a lull in proceedings for the European gymnasts as they take short breaks before heading back to their gyms to train.
Those eyeing a Paris 2024 spot may have a few sleepless nights as National Olympic Committees will soon announce their squads for the XXXIII Olympiad, which starts in less than three months' time.
The excitement then begins in earnest for the showpiece occasion that will see crowds, friends and family return to the stands, coming together in a wonderful celebration of sport, just like we've just seen in Rimini.