{{short description|Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox gymnast | name = Olena Vitrychenko<br />Олена Вітриченко | image = Vitrichenko57dev00 480pxl.jpg | imagesize = | caption = Olena Vitrychenko smiles during her farewell celebration at 2000 Deventer Grand Prix | fullname = Olena Ihorivna Vitrychenko | altname = Elena Igorevna Vitrichenko<br /> Yelena Igorevna Vitrichenko | nickname = | country = {{UKR}} | formercountry = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|11|25}} | birth_place = Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, USSR | hometown = | residence = | death_date = | death_place = | height = | discipline = RG | level = | natlteam = | club = | gym = | collegeteam = | headcoach = | assistcoach = | formercoach = | choreographer = | music = | eponymousskills = | retired = 2000 | show-medals = yes | medaltemplates = <!-- see Template:MedalRelatedTemplates --> {{MedalSport | Rhythmic Gymnastics}} {{MedalCountry | {{UKR}} }} {{MedalCount |total=yes | Olympic Games | 0 | 0 | 1 | World Championships|9|7|7 | European Championships |10|5|4 | European Team Championships|0|0|1 | European Cup Final |0|2|1 | Grand Prix Final|5|4|2 | Summer Universiade|4|0|1 | Goodwill Games|1|1|1 | Junior European Championships|2|1|0 }} {{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}} center|80px {{MedalBronze | 1996 Atlanta | All-around}} {{MedalCompetition | World Championships}} {{MedalGold | 1994 Paris |Ball}} {{MedalGold | 1995 Vienna |Ribbon}} {{MedalGold | 1996 Budapest |Ribbon}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Berlin |All-around}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Berlin |Rope}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Berlin |Clubs}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Berlin |Ribbon}} {{MedalGold | 1999 Osaka |Rope}} {{MedalGold | 1999 Osaka |Hoop}} {{MedalSilver| 1992 Brussels |3 ropes/3 balls}} {{MedalSilver| 1993 Alicante |Ball}} {{MedalSilver| 1993 Alicante |Team}} {{MedalSilver| 1994 Paris |Ribbon}} {{MedalSilver| 1995 Vienna |Rope}} {{MedalSilver| 1996 Budapest |Clubs}} {{MedalSilver| 1997 Berlin |Hoop}} {{MedalBronze| 1993 Alicante |Hoop}} {{MedalBronze| 1993 Alicante |Clubs}} {{MedalBronze| 1995 Vienna |Clubs}} {{MedalBronze| 1995 Vienna |Team}} {{MedalBronze| 1997 Berlin |Team}} {{MedalBronze| 1999 Osaka |Ribbon}} {{MedalBronze| 1999 Osaka |Team}} {{MedalCompetition | European Championships}} {{MedalGold|1994 Thessaloniki|Rope}} {{MedalGold|1994 Thessaloniki|Hoop}} {{MedalGold|1994 Thessaloniki|Ribbon}} {{MedalGold|1994 Thessaloniki|Team}} {{MedalGold|1996 Asker|Team}} {{MedalGold|1997 Patras|All-around}} {{MedalGold|1997 Patras|Hoop}} {{MedalGold|1998 Porto|Clubs}} {{MedalGold|1999 Budapest|Ball}} {{MedalGold|1999 Budapest|Ribbon}} {{MedalSilver|1994 Thessaloniki|All-around}} {{MedalSilver|1996 Asker|Ball}} {{MedalSilver|1997 Patras|Ribbon}} {{MedalSilver|1998 Porto|Team}} {{MedalSilver|1999 Budapest|Rope}} {{MedalBronze|1992 Stuttgart|3 Ropes + 3 Balls}} {{MedalBronze|1996 Asker|Rope}} {{MedalBronze|1996 Asker|Clubs}} {{MedalBronze|1998 Porto|Rope}} {{MedalCompetition | European Team Championships}} {{MedalBronze|1997 Paris|Team}} {{MedalCompetition | European Cup Final}} {{MedalSilver|1995 Telford|All-around}} {{MedalSilver|1995 Telford|Clubs}} {{MedalBronze|1995 Telford|Ribbon}} {{MedalCompetition | Grand Prix Final}} {{MedalGold|1995 Deventer|Rope}} {{MedalGold|1995 Deventer|Clubs}} {{MedalGold|1995 Deventer|Ribbon}} {{MedalGold|1997 Deventer|Clubs}} {{MedalGold|1999 Korneuburg|Rope}} {{MedalSilver|1994 Vienna|All-around}} {{MedalSilver|1995 Deventer|All-around}} {{MedalSilver|1997 Deventer|Rope}} {{MedalSilver|1998 Linz|All-around}} {{MedalBronze|1997 Deventer|Ribbon}} {{MedalBronze|1999 Korneuburg|Hoop}} {{MedalCompetition | Summer Universiade}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Sicily | All-around}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Sicily | Ribbon}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Sicily | Hoop}} {{MedalGold | 1997 Sicily | Rope}} {{MedalBronze | 1997 Sicily | Clubs}} {{MedalCompetition| Goodwill Games}} {{MedalGold | 1998 New York | Rope}} {{MedalSilver | 1998 New York | All-around}} {{MedalBronze | 1998 New York | Hoop}} {{MedalCountry | {{USSR}} }} {{MedalCompetition | Junior European Championships}} {{MedalGold|1991 Lisbon|Team}} {{MedalGold|1991 Lisbon|Clubs}} {{MedalSilver|1991 Lisbon|Ball}} {{MedalCount | total = yes | Grand Prix |40|28|25 | World Cup Series|2|0|1 }} | module = {{infobox person|child=yes|awards = Longines Prize for Elegance (1999)}} }}

'''Olena Ihorivna Vitrychenko''' ({{langx|uk|Олена Ігорівна Вітриченко}}, {{langx|ru|Елена Игоревна Витриченко}}; born 25 November 1976), also known as '''Elena''' or '''Yelena Vitrichenko''', is a Ukrainian former rhythmic gymnast who primarily competed as an individual. She is the 1996 Olympics bronze medalist, the 1997 World all-around champion, and the 1997 European all-around champion. She now coaches in the United States.

== Career == Olena Vitrychenko was introduced to the sport in 1980 when she was four years old by her mother, Nina, herself a former rhythmic gymnast.<ref name=":0" /> Her mother coached her at the Deriugins School in Kyiv,<ref name=":0" /> and beginning in 1997, she trained in the Boris Savlokhov club.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Crumlish |first=John |date=May 1998 |title=Yelena Vitrichenko: Woman of the World |url=http://www.intlgymnast.com/features/vitri.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031026071640/http://www.intlgymnast.com/features/vitri.html |archive-date=26 October 2003 |website=International Gymnast |access-date=11 September 2025 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her mother alleged that they were essentially kicked out of the Deriugins school by not being allowed full training time and rarely being allowed to practice routines with music.<ref name=":2" />

Vitrychenko made her international debut in 1986. At the 1992 European Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, she won a bronze medal as a member of the Ukrainian group.<ref name=":0" /> At the 1994 World Championships in Paris, she placed 6th in the all-around.<ref>{{Cite web |title=18. World Championships in Paris, France (6.-9. October 1994) |url=https://www.rsg.net/cgi-bin/show?events/1994/wm_paris_94_aa.html#Iall_around |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=www.rsg.net}}</ref>

At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Vitrychenko seemed to be a contender for the gold medal, having placed first after preliminaries and second after the semi-finals. She was the only gymnast to perform clean routines on all days of the competition, including during the final; she finished with a good ribbon routine after Kateryna Serebrianska and Yana Batyrshina both dropped their ribbons during the last round of the competition finals. However, she placed third, a result that was controversial.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Cynthia |date=1996-08-05 |title=Ukrainian drops ribbon, picks up controversial gold |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/293159356/4D402FA305B1498DPQ/52 |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=The Atlanta Journal |pages=S.12.}}</ref> Vitrychenko said in a 1998 interview that she felt "there was a little bit of unfair judging" at the event, though she defended having her own mother judge her at other events, pointing to the hoop final at the 1997 World Championships, where her mother scored her under Natalia Lipkovskaya, who won the final.<ref name=":1" />

Vitrychenko won the all-around at the 1997 European Championships, where she also won gold in the hoop final,<ref>{{Cite web |title=13. European Championships in Patras, Greece (22.-25. May 1997) |url=https://rsg.net/cgi-bin/show?events/1997/em_patras_97.html |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=rsg.net}}</ref> the 1997 Summer Universiade,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Southall |first=Susan |date=October 1997 |title=Miller takes Universiade title; Mink wins Maccabiah games |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/213998960/AFBFFACE0C52479CPQ/6 |access-date=2025-09-09 |magazine=International Gymnast |pages=32-33 |volume=39 |issue=10}}</ref> and the 1997 World Championships, where she additionally won three of the event finals.<ref name=":1" /> The next year, she lost both the 1998 European Championships and the 1998 Goodwill Games titles to Alina Kabaeva.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Crumlish |first=John |date=October 1998 |title=Grinning combination |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/213998289/4D402FA305B1498DPQ/120 |access-date=2025-09-11 |magazine=International Gymnast |page=24 |volume=40 |issue=10}}</ref> At the 1999 World Championships, she was fifth in the all-around but won the hoop and rope titles with perfect 10 scores.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 1999 |title=Kabayeva, Russia rule RSG worlds |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/213968482/4D402FA305B1498DPQ/133 |access-date=2025-09-11 |magazine=International Gymnast |pages=56-57 |volume=41 |issue=12}}</ref>

thumb|left|160px|Vitrychenko at the 1999 European ChampionshipsAt the peak of a long and well-publicized feud with the head of the Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, Irina Deriugina, Vitrychenko was placed 19th in the qualification round at the 2000 European Championships in Zaragoza, Spain, and she withdrew in protest.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://ukrsg.tripod.com/Interviews/interviewnina.htm|title = Interviews with Nina Vitrichenko}}</ref> After an official review determined that certain judges had clearly discriminated against Vitrichenko, Deriugina and five other judges were banned for one year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympic judge Irina Deriugina appeals 8-year ban |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=3408278 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The other 26 judges at the event were not allowed to judge the Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-08-19 |title=Freeman Runs Season's Best In 400 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2000-08-19/sports/25594341_1_olympic-organizers-sydney-olympic-unannounced-out-of-competition-drug-tests |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630031931/http://articles.philly.com/2000-08-19/sports/25594341_1_olympic-organizers-sydney-olympic-unannounced-out-of-competition-drug-tests |archive-date=2013-06-30 |website=Philadelphia Inquirer}}</ref>

Afterward, the International Olympic Committee awarded her a spot on the Ukrainian Olympic team. She performed well at the Olympics, finishing in fourth place behind Alina Kabaeva.<ref>''BBC''. [https://archive.today/20130707014026/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/hi/english/static/in_depth/olympics/2000/results_schedule/olymp_res_20001001.stm "Olympics 2000 | Results"]. 1 October 2000. Retrieved on 27 May 2013.</ref> She retired in 2000.<ref name=":0" />

== Coaching career == Vitrychenko coached rhythmic gymnastics in Spain for ten years. In March 2013, she began coaching at the Illinois Rhythmic Gymnastic Center.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=UGC |first=Chicago Tribune |title=Illinois Rhythmic Gymnastic Center Welcomes Ukraine Gymnast and Coach, Olena Vitrychenko |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/highland_park_deerfield/community/chi-ugc-article-illinois-rhythmic-gymnastic-center-welcomes-u-2013-03-07,0,4885982.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317155240/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/highland_park_deerfield/community/chi-ugc-article-illinois-rhythmic-gymnastic-center-welcomes-u-2013-03-07,0,4885982.story |archive-date=2013-03-17 |access-date=2025-09-11 |work=chicagotribune.com}}</ref> In 2014, she opened her own gym, which moved to Libertyville, Illinois in 2024.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=Meet a Mom: Olena Vitrychenko of Vitrychenko Gymnastics Academy |url=https://libertyvilleareamoms.com/meet-a-mom-olena-vitrychenko/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Libertyville Area Moms Network}}</ref>

== Personal life == Vitrychenko has three children.<ref name=":3" />

==Routine music information==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope=col|Year !scope=col|Apparatus !scope=col|Music title<ref>{{cite web|title= Vitrichenko RG music list |url=http://www.rgforum.no/music/searchresults.php?gymnast_lastname=vitrichenko&gymnast_firstname=&nation=&apparatus=&tidsrom_fra=&music_title=&music_from=&music_composer=&lagtinn_etter_dato=01&lagtinn_etter_mnd=01&lagtinn_etter_aar=2004&programtype_individuell=on&status_godkjent=on|publisher= rgforum }}</ref> |- !scope=row rowspan=5|2000 |Hoop |Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Vanessa Mae |- |Rope (second) |Bumble Bee Boogie by Robert Wells |- |Rope (first) |Ty zh mene pidmanula by Vladimir Bustriakov (Ukrainian traditional) |- |Ball |Apassionata by Secret Garden |- |Ribbon |Plaza of Execution / Stealing the Map music from The Mask of Zorro by James Horner |- !scope=row rowspan=6|1999 |Hoop |Steppe by Rene Aubry |- |Rope (second) |Ty zh mene pidmanula by Vladimir Bustriakov (Ukrainian traditional) |- |Rope (first) |Plaza of Execution / Stealing the Map music from The Mask of Zorro by James Horner |- |Ball |Apassionata by Secret Garden |- |Ribbon (second) |Harlem Nocturne by Sam Taylor |- |Ribbon (first) |Theme from Rainman by Hans Zimmer |- !scope=row rowspan=4|1998 |Hoop |Saltimbanco music from Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco by Rene Dupere |- |Clubs |Birimbau (from Mystère, Cirque du Soleil) by Rene Dupere |- |Rope |Seisouso music from Quidam by Benoît Jutras |- |Ribbon |One Man's Dream by Yanni |- !scope=row rowspan=5|1997 |Hoop |Saltimbanco music from Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco by Rene Dupere |- |Clubs (second) |Birimbau (from Mystère, Cirque du Soleil) by Rene Dupere |- |Clubs (first) |Latino by Anatoly Vekshin |- |Rope |The Heat (from Birdy) by Peter Gabriel |- |Ribbon |One Man's Dream by Yanni |- !scope=row rowspan=4|1996 |Ball |? |- |Rope |Sing, Sing, Sing by Benjamin Goodman |- |Clubs |? |- |Ribbon |Pink Panther, by Henry Mancini |- !scope=row rowspan=6|1995 |Ball |Echano by Chuck Mangione |- |Rope (second) |Sing, Sing, Sing by Benjamin Goodman |- |Rope (first) |Toccata & Fugue in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach |- |Clubs |? |- |Ribbon (second) |Carmen SuiteScene from Carmen Suite]] by Rodion Shchedrin/ Bizet |- |Ribbon (first) |Boléro by Maurice Ravel |- !scope=row rowspan=4|1994 |Ball |Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach |- |Rope |Marche en la by Ennio Morricone |- |Clubs |Eclipse (from Nouvelle Experience, Cirque du Soleil) by Rene Dupere |- |Ribbon |Peer Gynt Suite No.1: In The Hall Of The Mountain King music from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg |- !scope=row rowspan=5|1993 |Ball (second) |Marche en la by Ennio Morricone |- |Ball (first) |Peer Gynt Suite No.1: In The Hall Of The Mountain King music from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg |- |Hoop |? |- |Clubs |Rhapsody in Blue / Fascinating Rhythm by George Gershwin |- |Ribbon |? |- |}

== Detailed Olympic results == {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year ! Competition description ! Location ! Music ! Apparatus ! Score-Final ! Score-Qualifying |- | rowspan="5" | 2000 | rowspan="5" | Olympics | rowspan="5" | Sydney | | All-around | 39.408 | 39.399 |- | Plaza of Execution / Stealing the Map music from The Mask of Zorro by James Horner | Ribbon | 9.875 | 9.883 |- | Sing, Sing, Sing by Benjamin Goodman | Rope | 9.825 | 9.850 |- | Pink Dream by Anatoly Vekshin | Ball | 9.875 | 9.866 |- | Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Vanessa Mae | Hoop | 9.883 | 9.800 |- |} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year ! Competition description ! Location ! Music ! Apparatus ! Score-Final ! Score-Qualifying |- | rowspan="5" | 1996 | rowspan="5" | Olympics | rowspan="5" | Atlanta | | All-around | style="background:#c96;"| 39.331 | 39.266 |- | unknown music | Ribbon | 9.816 | 9.866 |- | Sing, Sing, Sing by Benjamin Goodman | Rope | 9.866 | 9.750 |- | Pink Dream by Anatoly Vekshin | Ball | 9.800 | 9.900 |- | unknown music | Clubs | 9.849 | 9.750 |- |}

==Honours== * Longines Prize for Elegance: 1999<ref>[https://www.jpn-gym.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Longines_prize_for_elegance.pdf Japan Gymnastics]</ref> ===Orders=== * 50px Honorary Award of the President of Ukraine: 1996<ref>Decree of the President of Ukraine from 7 августа 1996 year №&nbsp;665/96 [https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/665/96 «Про нагородження Почесною відзнакою Президента України»] {{in lang|uk}}</ref> * 50px Order of Merit 2nd Class: 1997<ref>Decree of the President of Ukraine from 10 сентября 1997 year №&nbsp;997/97 [https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/997/97 «Про нагородження відзнакою Президента України - орденом "За заслуги"»] {{in lang|uk}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{FIG|bio=23550|lic=480|name=Elena Vitrichenko}} * {{Instagram|vitrychenko|Elena Vitrychenko}} * {{Olympics.com|olena-vitrychenko|Olena Vitrychenko}} * {{Olympedia|29174|Olena Vitrychenko}}

{{NavigationWorldChampionsRhythmicGymnasticsWomenAA}} {{NavigationWorldChampionsRhythmicGymnasticsWomenHoop}} {{NavigationWorldChampionsRhythmicGymnasticsWomenBall}} {{NavigationWorldChampionsRhythmicGymnasticsWomenClubs}} {{NavigationWorldChampionsRhythmicGymnasticsWomenRibbon}} {{NavigationWorldChampionsRhythmicGymnasticsWomenRope}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vitrychenko, Olena}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts Category:Deriugins Gymnasts Category:Gymnasts from Odesa Category:Olympic gymnasts for Ukraine Category:Gymnasts at the 1996 Summer Olympics Category:Gymnasts at the 2000 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic medalists in gymnastics Category:Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Category:Medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Ukraine Category:Summer World University Games medalists in gymnastics Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for Ukraine Category:FISU World University Games bronze medalists for Ukraine Category:Goodwill Games medalists in gymnastics Category:Medalists at the 1997 Summer Universiade Category:Competitors at the 1998 Goodwill Games