The second European Games took place in Minsk from 21 to 30 June 2019. Gymnastics again formed a large part of the programme, with six disciplines alternating through the schedule: men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics, and trampoline and aerobic gymnastics.
A home crowd for Belarus
The opening day of the gymnastics competitions brought success for the host nation, and our coverage at the time described a Belarusian home triumph. Belarus has a strong tradition in rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline, and home support made a real difference in judged sports where confidence and presentation matter.
The final day
On the last day of the rhythmic and acrobatic competition, titles went to Belgium, Belarus, Israel and Russia, a spread of nations that reflected how varied the European podium can be outside artistic gymnastics. The Belgian women's acrobatic group of Talia De Troyer, Britt Vanderdonckt and Charlotte Van Royen left Minsk as double European Games champions; a few months later they completed the triple crown at the European Championships in Holon.
Artistic gymnastics in Minsk
The artistic programme in Minsk focused on individual titles rather than the team competition of a European Championships. Ukraine's Anastasia Bachynska won the women's floor title, a result she built on later that year with a World Cup victory in Cottbus.
What the European Games added
- Exposure for trampoline, acrobatic and aerobic gymnastics within a broadcast multi-sport event. - A meeting point between disciplines that rarely share a venue. - An extra competitive peak in a season already crowded by World Cups and championships.
Related
Compare with the first European Games in Baku in 2015, and see the 2019 acrobatic Europeans in Holon.
