The last four editions of the Olympic Games have demonstrated Russia’s strength in rhythmic gymnastics. Since Sydney 2000, Russian gymnasts have monopolised the top of the podium in both the individual and team competitions, winning eight golds, two silvers and one bronze, adding up to 11 medals out of a possible 12.

With just over two years until the Rio 2016 Games, Russia is preparing to maintain its hegemony in Brazil and one of its main challenges is to find a replacement of the calibre of Yevgeniya Kanayeva. A two-time Olympic gold medallist in the individual all-round competition (at Beijing 2008 and London 2012) and owner of 17 world championship golds, Kanayeva stopped competing in late 2012, at the age of 22, when she began working for the Russian Gymnastics Federation.

Of the new Russian generation, two gymnasts stand out as favourites to maintain the country’s dominance in 2016. Eighteen-year-old Margarita Mamun, the world No.1, shone in 2013 and won an impressive haul of gold medals: two in the world championships (watch her ball performance below), two in the European championships, four in the world cup final, three in the Grand Prix final and four in the Universiade.

She has continued her good form this year, winning four gold medals at the Moscow Grand Slam in early March.

“There are still two years left until the Olympic Games and all the gymnasts on the Russian team are training very hard,” said Mamun. “Nobody knows yet who will represent our country. It’s a very great responsibility and the psychological burden is enormous, but we will be able to deal with this through our experience.”

Sixteen-year-old Yana Kudryavtseva also stood out in 2013, becoming the youngest athlete to win the individual all-round competition in the world championships at the age of 15. She won three golds in the competition (see her ribbon performance below.) In the same year, she won three more golds in the European championships and one in the world cup final.

This year, she has already won three golds at the Grand Prix in Thiais, France. The 2011 junior world champion is fourth in the world rankings.

“I hope to grow a lot as a gymnast in the next few years,” Kudryavtseva said. “The responsibility to maintain our leadership is great. Russia is in this position because it has many talented coaches and choreographers, experienced massage therapists and medical team members, and excellent training venues. If I manage to compete at the Rio Games, I will give it my best.”

The task of spotting and training new talent falls to the legendary Irina Viner-Usmanova. Russia’s team coach since 1992 and president of the Russian Gymnastics Federation since 2008, Viner has helped deliver eight Olympic medals and more than 70 world championship golds for her country.

“Irina is a genius. Global rhythmic gymnastics wouldn’t be at such a high level, with so many achievements, if it wasn’t for her contribution,” said Mamun.

Irina Viner-Usmanova passes on her experience to Yana Kudryavtseva (photo: FIG/Volker Minkus)

After more than two decades of success, Viner-Usmanova believes that working together and sharing experiences, along with maintaining a simple love for the sport and creativity, are among the fundamental factors in staying at the top.

“This success goes back generations,” she said. “The youngest gymnasts have a great opportunity to learn from the more experienced ones, in training, and the same thing happens with coaches.

"Each gymnast is different and it’s very interesting to be able to develop them based on their natural talent. We never think about medals. What we love is to work with creativity, soul and interesting ideas.”