2014 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships

The 30th Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships took place from June 10 to June 15, 2014 at the then newly opened National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan. 33 participating federations with their juniors and seniors gymnasts participated at the event.

Participating countries
List of delegations participating in Championship.

Schedule

 * Wednesday, June 11
 * 08h00 - 22h00    Official Training
 * 18h00     Briefing session with the Heads of delegation
 * Thursday, June 12
 * 08h00 - 22h00    Official Training
 * Friday, June 13
 * 09h30 - 11h15   C I - Juniors, Group A - Hoop + Ball
 * 11h50 - 13h50    C I - Juniors, Group B - Hoop + Ball
 * 14h45 - 16h30    C I - Juniors, Group C - Hoop + Ball
 * 17h00 - 17h55    Opening Ceremony
 * 17h55 - 20h45    C I - Seniors groups alternating 10 Clubs / 3 Balls - 2 Ribbons
 * 20h45    Award Ceremony - Seniors group all-around competition I
 * Saturday, June 14
 * 09h30 - 11h30    C I - Juniors, Group B - clubs + ribbon
 * 11h50 - 13h50    C I - Juniors, Group C - clubs + ribbon
 * 14h30 - 16 h 30  C I - Juniors, Group A - clubs + ribbon
 * 16h30 - 17h00    Award Ceremony - Junior Team competition I
 * 17h00 - 19h00    C II - Seniors, Group B - 4 apparatus (place 11 to 20 from ECh 2013)
 * 19h15 - 21h15    C II - Seniors, Group A - 4 apparatus (place 01 to 10 from ECh 2013)
 * 21h15    Award Ceremony - Senior individual all-around competition II
 * Sunday, June 15
 * 12h00 - 13h00    Competition III - Juniors - Hoop and Ball
 * 13h00 - 14h00    Competition III - Juniors - Clubs and Ribbon
 * 14h30 - 16h20    Competition III - Senior groups - 10 Clubs, 3 Balls and 2 Ribbons
 * 16h30    Gala and Closing Ceremony

Overview
The 20 best senior individuals from 2013 will compete at the multiple competition (CII). 102 juniors (from 32 NF) will participate in the qualifying competition I (CI) and team competition and the final competition (4 apparatus) (CIII), 21 senior groups (consisted of 6 gymnasts) will present two different voluntary exercises, one executed with one apparatus (clubs), the other with different apparatus (3 balls/2 ribbons) on the occasion of the competition I (general competition) and the competition III (final competition for each exercise). At the European Championships in even years, the 20 best gymnasts from competition I of the previous year present their routines.

Controversies
According to Armenian sources, the organizers of the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Baku asked the Belarusian group to not use the music of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, which was reported by head coach Irina Leparskaya at a press conference in Minsk. The group had been performing their 2 Ribbons + 3 Balls routine with Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance", but they had to change to different music two weeks before the start of the Championships event. Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Samaya Mamedova said they did not interfere in any federation's music decisions: "Regarding Belarus, we didn't ask them to abandon their music. This decision was taken by Belarus itself. This is another provocative piece of information spread by Armenians to tarnish Azerbaijan as organizer of the European Championships of Rhythmic Gymnastics."

The Belarusian group, usually medal contenders, finished 17th in the all-around and placed last with their 2 Ribbons + 3 Balls qualification score amongst 21 countries during the European Championships. Armenia did not compete or send any delegations to the championships.