from a judging course in Rome. Their federations were forced to select other judges for the Sydney Olympics who met the requirements of FIG. The other 26 judges that were at Zaragoza received warnings and were not allowed to judge in Sydney. It was the first time in the sport's history that severe inappropriate behavior was proven and penalized. After the Europeans, Vitrychenko's own federation tried to deny her a spot on the Ukrainian Olympic team in 2000. She appealed to the International Olympic Committee who overturned the decision, and awarded her a spot on the team. She performed well at the Olympics, finishing in fourth place behind Alina Kabaeva. Vitrychenko retired from the sport after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, saying that the omnipresent judging politics would prevent her from achieving further success. She stated that she is not embittered by her controversial placings: "The most important thing that I have learned in elite sports is to experience other people's victories and to forgive people.". Over the course of her career, she won a total of nine World titles and ten European titles. Vitrychenko coached rhythmic gymnastics in Spain for ten years. In March 2013, she began coaching at the Illinois Rhythmic Gymnastic Center. Olena Vitrychenko opened up her own club Vitrychenko Academy on the Chicago Northshore in November 2014. More information about her club can be found at www.vitrychenkoacademy.com Routine music information Detailed Olympic results References External links 1976 births Living people Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts Deriugins Gymnasts Sportspeople from Odesa Olympic gymnasts of Ukraine Gymnasts at the 1996 Summer Olympics Gymnasts at the 2000 Summer Olympics Olympic medalists in gymnastics Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics Medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships Olympic bronze medalists for Ukraine Universiade medalists in gymnastics Universiade gold medalists for Ukraine Universiade bronze medalists for Ukraine Goodwill Games medalists in gymnastics Medalists at the 1997 Summer Universiade Competitors at the 1998 Goodwill Games