For the first time, the USA was represented in the Children’s division at the World Cup of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics in October in Tallinn, Estonia. This select group of girls from Cary, NC competed at the highest level internationally at the Tallinn Trophy Competition on Oct 16th-19th. The North Carolina group, which is comprised of gymnasts ranging from ages eight through ten, is led by Russian native Olga Bogdan who founded the Grace Gymnastics Academy in Cary. These young athletes trained for two years, and placed 2nd in their first AGG competition as well as first international start.

AGG or Aesthetic Group Gymnastics is a relatively new sport to the United States, however is quickly gaining popularity notably in Canada and Eastern editor@carymagazine.comEurope. As native Russian, Coach Bogdan took her first gymnastics class at five and represented Russia in the National AGG Championships and competed internationally. "The girls have exceeded anyone’s expectations and we were thrilled to have been invited to represent the USA for the first time ever,” said Bogdan.

In 2016 Coach Bogdan formed the first AGG/Aesthetic Group Gymnastics group in North Carolina. Bogdan and her specialized Grace Gymnastics Academy have quickly made a name for themselves and were invited this year to be a part of USA Aesthetic Gymnastics National Team supported by Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Federation of the USA (San Diego, CA, President Brian Rodli, Head Coach Elena Boltovik).

Aesthetic Group Gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of rhythmic gymnastics, dance and acrobatics. It requires the ability for the gymnasts to athletically symbolize musical character with movement, while simultaneously stressing uniformity, freedom, grace and emotions. AGG is suitable for females as young as four years old and there are even competitions for people aged over 60. Aesthetic Gymnastics is also referred to in Russian as “Healthy Gymnastics”.