Elite gymnasts from around the world are gearing up for the FIG Apparatus World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. This competition carries significant weight as a crucial opportunity for gymnasts to accumulate points, setting the stage for their qualification as Event Specialists for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Only the top two athletes (per event) at the conclusion of the world cup series will secure coveted spots at the Games. The event is scheduled to unfold from February 15th to February 18th at the Cairo International Stadium.

Event Details:

Dates: February 15th to 18th, 2024

Location: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt

Competition Schedule:

15 FEB: Qualifications Day 1 (Floor, Pommel Horse, Rings)

16 FEB: Qualifications Day 2 (Vault, Parallel Bars, High Bar)

17 FEB: Finals Day 1 (Floor, Pommel Horse, Rings)

18 FEB: Finals Day 2 (Vault, Parallel Bars, High Bar)

Competing Athletes:

A detailed list of participating athletes released by the FIG can be viewed here.

Our Picks for Athletes in the Running for Paris:

FX: Aurel Benovic (CRO); Benjamin Osberger (FRA) , Eddie Penev (BUL), Kim Hansol (KOR), RYU Sunghyun (KOR)

PH: Nariman Kurbanov (KAZ), Lee Chih Kai (TPE), Ahmad Abu Al Soud (JOR)

SR: Nikita Simonov (AZE), Samir Aït Saïd (FRA), Vinzenz Hoeck (AUT), Vahagn Davtyan (ARM), Artur Avetisyan (ARM)

VT: Mahdi Olfati (IRI), Shek Wai Hung (HKG), Andrey Medvedev (ISR), Abdulaziz Mirvaliev (UZB), Eddie Penev (BUL)

PB: Dilan Jimenez (COL), Harald Wibye (NOR), Caio Souza (BRA), Ilias Georgiou (CYP)

HB: Angel Barajas (COL), Tyson Bull (AUS), Arthur Nory (BRA), Tang Chia Hung (TPE), Robert Tvorogal (LTU), Alexander Myakinin (ISR), Marios Georgiou (CYP) Notable teams such as Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Taiwan, Spain, and Ukraine are sending representatives. Host country Egypt will have six athletes in contention, and in a surprising development, North Korea is participating in a FIG international competition for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, independent athletes who formerly represented Belarus will compete following the FIG ruling allowing participation for athletes who can prove no connected military actions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2023 World Pommel Horse Champion Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland is among the athletes set to compete in Cairo.

Competition Format:

Qualifying: Limited to 2 gymnasts per country on each apparatus

Finals: Top 8 gymnasts per apparatus from qualifications advance to Finals

Stakes:

Prize Money: Top performers on each event stand to earn prize money, with the top 8 finalists receiving varying amounts. The first-place finisher gets 1,000 CHF, the second-place athlete earns 750 CHF, and the third-place contender receives 500 CHF.

Olympic Qualification Points: Post-finals, Olympic qualification points will be distributed among eligible athletes. (Those who have already secured a spot in Paris 2024 or represent teams that have qualified, will earn points for world cup rankings, but NOT Olympic qualifying points.) The top two athletes per event (12 in total) at the conclusion of the 2024 world cup series will secure their spots at the Games.

Impressions: Athletes from nations with qualified teams (Great Britain, Italy, Turkey, Japan, Spain, and Ukraine) aim to leave a lasting impression on their national governing bodies through strong performances at this meet. Displaying well-executed routines on the world cup stage, gymnasts can make a significant impact in reguards to earning a spot on their national Olympic team. How to Watch:

You can follow the competition's live results at www.CairoWorldCup.com. A Live Stream for qualifications wiill be provided by Elevien.

We will updated this page with any additional viewing options.

Article by: Kensley Behel

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