The European Gymnastics Championships from August 13 to 23 at Arena Zagreb bring a record number of participants, the first prize fund in history, and performances by Croatian stars Tin Srbić and Filip Ude in front of a home crowd.
Three days before the women's program of the European Gymnastics Championships begins at Arena Zagreb, a special gathering was held at the Croatian Sports Museum. There, the best Croatian gymnasts Tin Srbić and Filip Ude, along with the president of the Croatian Gymnastics Federation (HGS) Mario Možnik and the museum's director Danira Nakić Bilić, announced what Možnik describes as a spectacle in which "all records have been broken."
The competition, which lasts ten days from August 13 to 23, 2026, has attracted as many as 670 gymnasts from 44 countries, the largest number in the history of this event. For the first time, a prize fund has been secured for medal winners, finalists, and their coaches. "Never before has there been a prize fund for the best," Možnik emphasized, adding that the audience will be able to rate competitors live with the aim of educating and bringing gymnastics closer to spectators.
Tin Srbić does not hide his excitement about performing in his hometown. "It is an honor and a pleasure to compete in my city; I hope to make the final. I have given my maximum to be in the best shape. I have a good routine, I believe good enough even for a medal that I would love to win in my city," Srbić said, recalling his idols Filip Ude and Mario Možnik.
His colleague Filip Ude, who turned 40, admitted that he is competing solely for the home crowd and risks worsening his shoulder injury. "I wouldn't compete if it weren't on home turf. I was injured, I risk aggravating that shoulder, but I simply couldn't miss this opportunity. Who knows when such a competition will be held in Croatia again," Ude said, adding that he is considering donating his Olympic medal to the Croatian Sports Museum.
Special attention will also be drawn by the debut performance of former Ukrainian gymnast Ilija Kovtun, who will compete under the Croatian flag for the first time. Organizers have confirmed that the arena has been partitioned with a curtain, reducing capacity to 5,000 seats, and visitors can expect a rich accompanying program in and around Arena Zagreb.
During the gathering, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Croatian Gymnastics Federation and the Croatian Sports Museum with the aim of promoting Croatian sport as an international brand. "The Gymnastics Federation is one of the oldest Croatian sports federations with a tradition spanning more than 120 years. I am glad that our gymnastics successes are part of the Croatian Sports Museum's exhibit," Možnik said, also presenting the museum with a set of medals intended for the best at the upcoming European Championship.
Možnik also addressed the issue of visas for Russian gymnasts. "Several of them did not receive visas initially, but in cooperation with the relevant institutions, we have since approved visas for most, and all except two athletes will compete at the European Championship," he explained.
The director of the Croatian Sports Museum, Danira Nakić Bilić, concluded that this is a "historic moment because it is the largest gymnastics competition ever held in Croatia."
