The 30th European Gymnastics Championships is taking place in Sofia until May 25. Bulgaria has not been a host to a similar event since 1983 when the best European gymnasts competed in Varna.

A total of 288 competitors from 39 countries will compete for the medals this time. Never before in the history of the championships representatives of so many countries have taken part. 30 countries took part during the previous championships held in Moscow in 2013. Coverage of the tournament will also break all previous records. More than 100 reporters from all around the world would arrive to Sofia.

The championship is hard to organize as juniors will also compete, as well as men and women. The competition will be the formal qualification for the Youth Olympics in China in August and the European Games in Baku in June 2015. So far championships organized in the same manner have taken placed only in St. Petersburg in 1998, in Patras in 2002, and Birmingham in 2010.

Representatives of the European Union of Gymnastics said the Arena Armeec Hall in the capital city of Sofia was fantastic and the country offers perfect conditions for the event. Hosting the championships itself is indicative of the trust that the leaders of world gymnastics have in the Bulgarian Federation.

In its 110-year history gymnastics in Bulgaria are characterized by great successes. Bulgarian competitors have won more than 120 medals in various gymnastic forums. Undoubtedly, the most successful Bulgarian gymnast is Jordan Iovchev, who became the first in the sport to take part in six consecutive Olympics from 1992 to 2012. During his career Iovchev has won four Olympic medals, one silver and three bronze ones. He was world champion twice both in the floor and rings events.