Known as the “Mother of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics,” Evelyn Koop began teaching rhythmic gymnastics to students in Toronto. In 1968, she founded the Ontario Rhythmics Federation and later became its President. In 1980, she became the executive director of the federation. In 1975, she organized the first international competition in Canada, the World’s Best Championship. The following year, she brought her daughters to the United States to compete in the Canadian National Rhythmics Competition.
Kalev’s founding member, Evelyn Koop, became Canada’s president and program director. She is a member of the International Gymnastics Generations Technical Committee, a lifetime honorary member of the Four Continents, and the founder of Rhythmic Gymnastics in Canada. The organization has been a pillar in the sport for over half a century, and she is the only Canadian to have served on this committee.
She was instrumental in bringing RG to Canada, creating the Provincial and National Federations. She was also instrumental in founding the Four Continents Championships. In 2001, Koop’s children won the Canadian National Championship and represented Canada in the World Championships in Madrid. She also published a book titled “Aesthetic Group Gymnastics in Canada – A Brief History.”
In addition to founding the Canadian and Ontario Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Associations, Koop has helped to create the Four Continents Championships and has been an active crusader for the inclusion of Rhythmic Gymnastics in the Olympics. She was trained at the Idla Institute of Physical Education in Sweden under Ernst Idla. After earning her B.A., she became a member of Estonian Sports Club Kalev. She organized the Kalev Estienne Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, which marches on today.
Despite being an amateur sport, Rhythmic Gymnastics has a rich history in Canada. In the early days, the sport was not recognized internationally. However, it became a competitive sport in the 1970s, and the first international competitions took place in Moscow. In 1976, the first Olympic event in Rhythmic Gymnastics was held at the Summer Universiade in Moscow. Elizabeth Mann was the first national champion of the United Kingdom.
Aesthetic Group Gymnastics in Canada was first formally recognized in 1968. In the United States, a Canadian federation was formed in the U.S. and a National Federation was formed in 1969. In Canada, Evelyn Koop was the first woman to introduce rhythmic gymnastics to the country, and she was the first to promote rhythmic dance.
In Canada, Evelyn Koop was a pioneer of aesthetic group gymnastics. In the United States, she helped establish Rhythmic Gymnastics in Quebec and Canada. She also founded the Canadian Rhythmic Group Gymnastics Association. In her lifetime, Evelyn Koop has helped the sport become more accepted internationally. There are many reasons why women are drawn to this sport. It is a great way to stay active and healthy.
The founder of Kalev, Evelyn Koop is an icon of the sport. She created the Canadian Rhythmic Group Gymnastics Federation. By 1968, she had made strides in aesthetics. Afterwards, she founded the Four Continents Championships. In 1997, she became the first woman to win the gold medal at the World Championships.
Besides being a pioneer in the history of aesthetic group gymnastics, Evelyn Koop also helped build the sport in Canada. She taught courses in Rhythmic and Modern Gymnastics, and authored books on the subject. She trained nearly 1000 teachers in Ontario and was an International judge. She is an inspiration to women, and the sport of Rhythmic Group Gymnastics is a great way to improve your overall health.
Her passion for the sport is evident in her work. She founded Kalev Estienne, which has continued to host both provincial and national events. She was the first woman to organize these events in Canada and received a medal from FIG in 1978. In addition to the awards, Evelyn Koop has been an inspiration to countless Canadian athletes. She has dedicated herself to the growth of the sport and has contributed to the growth of the sport in Canada.
