Historic European Gymnastics Championships: Zagreb Hosts
The women's competition at Zagreb Arena has concluded, with the men's events following from August 19 to 23. Melnikova adds three more medals to her all-around gold.
The women's competition at Zagreb Arena has concluded, with the men's events following from August 19 to 23. Melnikova adds three more medals to her all-around gold.
The European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships at Zagreb Arena have come to a close, and in just two days, the men take over the same venue. The grand opening ceremony of Zagreb 2026 featured lavish stage effects, music, dance, and gymnastics routines that blurred the line between a sporting event and a grand entertainment spectacle.
Marijo Možnik, president of the Croatian Gymnastics Federation and the Organizing Committee, emphasized that this is a historic moment for the sport. "This is the largest European Gymnastics Championships in the history of the competition, and for the first time, gymnasts and coaches will receive prize money for their results. Gymnasts, this championship belongs to you; behind your results stand discipline and hard work. I want you to show your best and enjoy the competition, and feel at home in Zagreb and Croatia," Možnik said.
Farid Gajibov, president of European Gymnastics, chose to praise the organization of the championships even in Croatian, earning applause from the audience. The ceremony was also attended by Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation, who later shared his views on the importance of the competition in Zagreb.
The opening program began with Mia Negovetić performing the Croatian anthem, followed by performances from Mia Dimšić, the dance group Transform Crew with captivating choreography, and acrobat Lara Crnjac, whose routines left a strong impression on the audience.
Angelina Melnikova, currently the world's top gymnast, had already won gold in the all-around in Zagreb, and she has now added three more medals. She took gold on vault and bronze on balance beam and floor exercise. On uneven bars, Germany's Helen Kevric, daughter of Adnan, a former Bosnian footballer, claimed victory. Gold on beam went to 16-year-old French gymnast Elena Colas, while Italy's Manila Esposito was best on floor.
In the junior competition, the apparatus finals saw complete dominance by Russian gymnasts competing under a neutral flag. Polina Dmitrieva was first on uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Aleksandra Andrianova took second on uneven bars and floor, while Daria Mirnova was second on vault. The only gold that didn't go to Russia was on vault, where Romania's Aniela Tudor triumphed. The Italians also had success: Rinaldi took third on uneven bars and floor, and Cardelli was third on beam.
