Tragic automobile accident

LAUSANNE (SUI) - FIG Office, April 23, 2010: The news of the death of Natalia Lavrova (RUS) has upset gymnasts the world over. Gold Group medallist at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney (AUS) and in 2004 in Athens (GRE), Natalia was killed on April 23, 2010 in a car accident near Penza Oblast (RUS), the city where she was born on August 4, 1984.

Natalia “Lavrousha” Lavrova was part of a magnificent group of gymnasts. Worthy ambassador of the Russian school of Rhythmic Gymnastics, she enchanted millions of telespectators with her Olympic victories in 2000, triumphing over Belarus and Greece, and in 2004 over Italy and Bulgaria.

The news has come as a shock to her loved-ones and cast a pall over the entire Russian gymnastics community, which is in the process of getting ready to host the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Moscow this September.

The Authorities of the FIG convey their sincere condolences to Natalia’s family and loved-ones. Long will we remember her extraordinary talent as a truly beautiful gymnast.