Israel's rhythmic gymnastics team continued their preparations for the Rio Olympics by winning gold at the European Championships on their home turf in Holon.
Yuval Filo, Alona Koshevatskiy, Ekaterina Levina, Karina Lykhvar and Ida Mayrin were in a class of their own in the clubs and hoops competition.
They ended another successful event by securing silver medals in the ribbons category and bronze in the all-round competition.
Israel took advantage of a poor performance by the Russian team, which won a gold medal in the al-round event but failed to mount the podium in either the clubs and hoops, and ribbons competitions.
"We never imagined that gold was possible," said Ophir Pines-Paz, Chairman of the Israel Gymnastics Association. "But after the team's overall performance here in Israel, I really believe that an Olympic medal is a possibility."
Ekaterina Levina said: "The Olympics will be the culmination of everything we have worked for over the years. We will do our best and hope it is enough."
Thirty-seven countries attended the three day championships in Israel. "The crowd really lifted us," said Alona
Koshevatskiy. "I believe we can win a medal in Rio but at the moment we are concentrating on working hard in training."
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