The first Artistic Gymnastics World Cup of 2024 kicked off in Cairo on Thursday, with more than 280 gymnasts from 35 countries and regions competing for medals and Olympic qualification points. The event, which is taking place at the Indoor Halls Complex of the Cairo International Stadium, will run until Sunday, February 18. The event is part of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup series, which consists of four events in Cairo, Doha, Baku, and Stuttgart, and serves as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The event is also a historic occasion for Egypt and Africa, as it is the first time that the continent hosts an Artistic Gymnastics World Cup. Egypt, which has a long tradition and history in gymnastics, has been granted the responsibility to organize the event by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), in recognition of its efforts and achievements in the sport. Egypt has also invested heavily in the preparation and development of the event, by providing state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and services, as well as ensuring the health and safety of the participants and the spectators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A strong representation and performance by Egypt
Egypt, which has the largest delegation in the event with 11 gymnasts, has also shown a strong representation and performance in the competition. On the first day of the qualifications, Egypt secured three spots in the finals, with Zeina Sharaf qualifying for the women’s vault, Nancy Taman for the women’s uneven bars, and Omar Mohamed for the men’s floor exercise. Egypt also has high hopes for Ali Zahran, who is one of the world’s best gymnasts on the still rings, and Jana Mahmoud, who is a rising star on the balance beam.
A diverse and competitive field of participants
The event also features a diverse and competitive field of participants, who represent some of the world’s leading gymnastics nations, such as China, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the US. Some of the notable names include Liu Yang, the reigning world champion on the still rings, Nikita Nagornyy, the 2019 world all-around champion, and Jade Carey, the 2017 and 2019 world silver medalist on the vault. The event also offers a chance for some of the emerging and developing gymnastics countries, such as Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and India, to showcase their talents and skills.
