The 2020 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament kicks off in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province on Sept 15. [Photo/WeChat account: jxfabu]

The 2020 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament kicked off in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province on Sept 15 and will run for five days, local media reported.

Rhythmic gymnastics, known as "ballet on the carpet", combines features from gymnastics, ballet and dance to demonstrate the grace and flexibility of athletes.

The tournament is the first national event held by the gymnastics sports management center of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASA) this year as well as the first national competitive sports event held in Jiaxing this year.

In addition to delegations from Jiangsu, Sichuan, Guangdong, and Guizhou provinces as well as Shanghai, the national team, which is preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games, is also participating in the competition.

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we streamlined the opening ceremony and the competition can only be watched online this year," said a staff member of the sponsor.

In addition, all athletes are required to apply for a Zhejiang Health Code 14 days before they arrive in Jiaxing and must show them and have their temperatures taken before entering the stadium.

Furthermore, athletes, referees and volunteers have separate designated entrances to the competition venues.

The competition is sponsored by the gymnastics sports management center of GASA and Chinese Gymnastics Association and organized by the Zhejiang provincial bureau of sports and Jiaxing municipal government.

Rhythmic gymnastics is known as as "ballet on the carpet". [Photo/WeChat account: jxfabu]

Athletes practice rhythmic gymnastics in the stadium. [Photo/WeChat account: jxfabu]