Embarrassment in Brazil: Georgian anthem played for German gymnast’s medal ceremony VIDEO

Germany’s gymnastics queen Darja Varfolomeev left her competition in Brazil no chance at the World Championship all-around. Everything went smoothly, but during the award ceremony for her first of five possible world titles, the German-Russian gymnast fell out of rhythm: When the flag was raised, the Georgian national anthem played instead of Germany’s.

“Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that the wrong anthem is played. But I definitely thought that wouldn’t happen at a World Championship,” German media cites the old and new all-around world champion’s reaction on the embarrassing anthem mix-up.

On the podium, the Olympic champion looked just as confused as the other members of the German delegation. “I thought: What should I do now? Should I just sing my anthem myself?” the 18-year-old said. She had assumed the correct anthem would still be played—but it wasn’t.

Germany’s Athlete of the Year had completed a golden triple in the all-around, following her 2023 World Championship title and her last year’s Olympic victory in Paris. The 18-year-old left her competitors in Rio de Janeiro far behind with 121.900 points.

Varfolomeev was born in Barnaul, Russia—over 2,000 miles east of Moscow—in 2006. She believed her chances of making the Russian national team were slim given the remoteness of her hometown, so she moved to Germany in 2018 to train while living with her grandparents.

Varfolomeev earned Germany’s second medal in rhythmic gymnastics, 40 years after Regina Weber claimed bronze for West Germany when the sport was introduced at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Russia had produced at least one all-around medalist in every Games since 1996, but it was banned from competing in the Paris Olympics last year due to the war in Ukraine. Its absence created opportunities for other countries to step into the spotlight.

A total of 76 countries have registered for the World Championship scheduled from August 20 to 24 to be held for the first time in Brazil. Azerbaijan is represented by one individual gymnast, Kamilla Seyidzadeh and a group routine team at the season's premier event, comprised of Laman Alimuradova, Darya Sorokina, Yelyzaveta Luzan, Gullu Aghalarzade, Kamila Aliyeva, and Sofiya Mammadova.

By Nazrin Sadigova