Shannon Gardiner (RSA) © South African SportsPicture Agency

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Basma Ouatay (MAR) © South African Sports Picture Agency

Following her second Olympic Games and her Bronze medal from London 2012, Liubou Charkashyna (BLR) has transitioned from Rhythmic star to Rhythmic starmaker: The 26-year-old now coaches the Belarussian junior national team.

Having been elected FIG Athletes’ Representative at the 2013 World Championships, Charkashyna is a liasion between the gymnasts in her discipline and the FIG Technical Committee. In her function as Youth Olympic Games Athlete Role Model, she addresses the following message to the YOG participants in Nanjing:

It is a great honour for me to be nominated as a Athlete Role Model for the Youth Olympic Games. I think it is very important to have a former gymnast who inspires you to achieve more, to strive for excellence, to be on the top.

Participation in the Youth Olympic Games is a great start for your Gymnastics future, an opportunity to test yourself and at the same time to feel the fantastic Olympic atmosphere. Enjoy these two weeks, because you deserve it! You are young and talented, and you have trained hard to gain the chance to compete in Nanjing. During this special time in China, I’m sure we will see new Gymnastic stars emerge and exciting exercises be presented, as young gymnasts are ambitious, willing to take risks and be self-confident.

Dear gymnasts, I wish success to all of you! Dear coaches, I wish you patience and tolerance. Be kind, and believe in your gymnasts!