site.btaUPDATED Sports Minister, Sofia Mayor Open 30th Congress of European Gymnastics

Youth and Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev and Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev opened the 30th Congress of European Gymnastics in Sofia on Friday. The host of the event is the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (BRGF) , headed by 1996 Olympic horizontal bar silver medalist Krasimir Dunev, and with General Secretary Yordan Yovchev, 2004 rings silver medalist.

"I am delighted that our country has the opportunity to host the great European gymnastics family. Holding the Congress in Sofia is an appreciation for the work of our federations administering gymnastic sports, which have been actively working for their development in recent years. Bulgaria is a country with a rich history and great traditions in gymnastic disciplines. Every year our country hosts a number of prestigious competitions," Iliev said.

"It is my pleasure to welcome you all to our beautiful capital Sofia. As a newly elected mayor, I am very happy that Bulgaria is hosting this prestigious event for the second time and I want to thank the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation for the opportunity to be here with you," said Terziev.

"I would like to thank you for the opportunity to organize this prestigious forum again. We will do everything in our power to make you feel welcome, to make you feel at home. I would like to thank the staff of European Gymnastics Headquarters for their help in organizing this forum. I would like to thank the Organizing Committee and everyone involved in the organization," noted Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation President Krasimir Dunev.

European Gymnastics Headquarters President Farid Gayibov presented honorary medals Iliev and Terziev.

Over 153 delegates from 45 countries will attend the Congress of European Gymnastics, which will last until December 2. The entire management of the European Gymnastics Headquarters arrived in Sofia for the Congress. Among the delegates is Mariana Vasileva, long-time head coach of the Azerbaijani national rhythmic gymnastics team. Currently, the Bulgarian is the Deputy Minister of Sports in Azerbaijan. Representatives of Russia and Belarus are also allowed to participate in the congress. On the Bulgarian side, BRGF President Iliana Raeva, BRGF Secretary General Rosina Atanasova, Hristiana Todorova, member of the Technical Committee for Rhythmic Gymnastics at the European Federation will attend.