1967 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships

Location Copenhagen, Denmark

Start date18 December 1967

End date19 December 1967

1967 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
Location	Copenhagen, Denmark
Start date	18 December 1967
End date	19 December 1967
← Prague 1965 Varna 1969 →

III World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships were held on 18 and 19 December 1967 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Fifteen countries entered the competition, with eleven sending groups; Italy only sent a group, while Brazil, France, Hungary, and Venezuela only sent individuals. Israel intended to send gymnasts, but they were unable to attend due to administrative issues. They did send observers, along with South Africa, Japan, and the United States. Each country could send a group, consisting of six gymnasts, and up to three individual competitors and an individual alternate.^[1]

Five events were contested. Groups performed a hoop routine, while individuals performed a compulsory rope routine, optional routines with the rope and hoop as well as freehand (no apparatus). The scores for the compulsory and optional rope routines were added, and all-around medals were also awarded.^[1]

The Soviet Union won the group competition, followed by Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. The Bulgarian group received the highest scores from the judges, but they also received a penalty for using hoops that were 4 centimetres (1.6 in) too large. Unusually, the Russian group used hoops of two different sizes, which was not against the rules at the time. Barbara Sundby, an observer, from the United States, wrote that the Cuban group, which tied for fourth, was well-received by the audience, but that they focused too much on folk dance rather than gymnastic movements. She noted that there was significant discussion after the event about how to differentiate rhythmic gymnastics from ballet, acrobatics, and folk dance as well as about better standardization of the apparatuses.^[1]

Soviet gymnasts also dominated the individual competition, winning 7 of the 13 medals awarded, including two of the four golds. The vast majority of the individual gymnasts performed with a live accompanist, with only 7 using taped music.^[1]