The 2020/2021 Olympics was a historic games for Israel rhythmic gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram became the first Israeli woman to win a gold medal, which she won in the individual all-around competition. In doing so, she broke a two-decade Olympic gold-medal streak for Russia in the individual all-around.
However, at the Paris Olympic Games, the Israeli team won’t be the only team sending Jewish gymnasts. Australia’s team includes two Jewish rhythmic gymnasts, including Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva.
Here are 18 things to know about her.
1. Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva was born on March 4, 2002 in Wellington, New Zealand. The family then moved to Australia.
2. She took up rhythmic gymnastics at age 2.
“It was my parents’ way of developing discipline, determination and work ethic in me,” Alexandra has said. “At 11 I won my first international competition in Spain and that was the moment where everything lined up and I knew I wanted to pursue this sport to the max.”
3. Here she is as a young gymnast:
4. Her parents are both Russian and immigrated to New Zealand before she was born. As such, Alexandra speaks Russian and is a citizen of Russia, New Zealand and Australia.
5. Her mother Valeriya Clement competed in ballroom dancing and Latin dancing for 15 years.
6. Alexandra grew up in the Jewish community in Melbourne, Australia and went to the King David School. “I love being a part of the Jewish community. We’re all very close and I love being supported,” she has said.
7. In 2012, she did a school project on the London Olympics!
Awww!
8. She is currently studying remotely to earn a Bachelor of Law at Monash University in Melbourne.
9. Alexandra narrowly missed out on representing Australia at the 2020/2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
10. She trains in Baku, Azerbaijan at the National Gymnastics arena, where she stretches 10 hours a day and trains on five disciplines of her sport.
11. You can listen to her talk about life in Azerbaijan and her path to the Paris Olympics in this episode of the “Off the Floor” podcast.
12. Alexandra became the first Australian rhythmic gymnast to compete at the Maccabiah Games in 2022. She won five bronze medals there in the all-around, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon events.
13. Some of her career highlights include being a four-time Australian all-around champion in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. Additionally, she has won five medals at the Commonwealth Games and competed at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships five times.
14. Alexandra qualified to go to the Paris Olympics after winning the all-around competition at the 2024 Oceania Championships.
15. Alexandra thinks that Jewish athletes being at the Paris Olympics is “a power move.”
“I hope that by us being there, people can see that we’re strong no matter what,” she told the Jewish Independent.
16. Please enjoy some action shots:
17. It was extremely emotional for Alexandra when she found out she had been selected for the Australian Olympic team.
“I have been working towards the Olympic Games my whole life,” she she told the Jewish Independent. “When I found out, I had so many tears. My family and my friends, my coaches were all just bawling their eyes out and it was a very emotional time.”
18. After her career in gymnastics, Alexandra hopes to practice sports law.
