She is World- and European Champion, dominates the top of rhythmic gymnastics since 1998 and now also is the top-favourite for the RG- gold medal in Athens: Alina Kabaeva.

Already once - at the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 - she was said to be the unbeatable favourite. But she couldn't cope with the psychological pressure to win this most important sports event and dropped the hoop.... Olympic Champion then became her team mate Yulia Barsukova, Kabaeva won bronze.

Probably also in Athens the nerves of the gymnasts will be decisive for the medals. Like already at the World Championships 2003 in Budapest and the European Championships 2004 in Kiev it again could be an exciting duel between Kabaeva and her Ukrainian competitor Anna Bessonova. However, also Irina Tchashina (RUS) and Natalia Godunko (UKR) as well as  Inna Shukova (BLR) have their chances for a medal. If the three-time World Champion from 2001, Simona Peycheva (BUL) will again be one of the favourites can probably be seen at the Worldcup tournament in her home town Sofia. This will be her first competition after a 10-month doping suspension.

Groups: Russia seems to be unbeatable
The situation in the groups event is clear: World Champion Russia seems to be unbeatable at the moment, they won all competitions since the World Championships in Budapest 2003. However, the battle for the medals will be exciting: Belarus, Italy and Bulgaria are said to be equally strong but also positive surprises by Spain or China are possible.