Dear Rhythmic Gymnastics Community,

My name is Karine Mantashyan and I am the head coach of California Springs School of Rhythmic Gymnastics - an institution with over 30 years of history. Rhythmic gymnastics has been my lifelong passion, beginning as an athlete and continuing through my coaching career, working alongside my mother, the former head coach of the Armenian national team for over 15 years. 

Over the years, we've witnessed incredible growth in the rhythmic gymnastics across the United States. This progress is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of coaches, officials, and judges who have nurtured the sport into what it is today.

However, I have significant concerns about the new leotard restrictions set to take effect in 2026 for the Developmental Program, specifically the rule prohibiting any sheer fabric on leotards. While I fully support the intent behind restricting sheer material in the underwear areas for the athlete safety and modest, extending this ban to all sheer elements on the leotard seems unnecessarily restrictive. Sheer fabric plays a crucial role in the artistic design of these garments, enhancing the elegance and expressive quality that is central to our sport's identity. My growing concern - one that is shared by many coaches and families across the country - is the following: 

The existing language in the attire rules is vague - phrases like "should not protrude excessively" are subjective and open to varying interpretation. If the intention is to significantly limit design elements like fringe or appliqués, the rule should be written clearly, with measurable standards (e.g. "no fringe," or "elements must not extend more than 2cm from the fabric"). Current wording leaves room for confusion and inconsistent enforcement. 

Clarifications came too late this season - new interpretations of attire rules were only communicated in March, well after families had already purchased leotards in the fall. Expecting athletes to replace or modify leotards just months before Nationals places an unfair burden on families and coaches, especially when the season concludes in June.

These policies harm participation - parents invest hundreds or thousands of dollars into these custom garments. When they find out their leotards are suddenly non-compliant - or worse, cannot be resold - they become frustrated and sometimes leave the sport. Coaches are often left to defend unclear rules and navigate parental dissatisfaction, which ultimately hurts our programs. 

Upcoming 2026 rule changes make matters worse, the proposed ban on all sheer fabric in the DVP, regardless of placement, eliminates a key artistic element that is fundamental to the sport's beauty and expressive quality. While we support appropriate restrictions for modesty and safety, banning sheer entirely (even in non-sensitive areas like sleeves or backs) is unnecessarily restrictive and does not align with international standards.

Inconsistency with FIG rules creates financial strain and logistic issues - the rest of the world, and even the U.S. Junior and Senior Elite programs, follow FIG rules which allow far more flexibility in design. When DVP rules diverge so significantly, it becomes nearly impossible to reuse or resell leotards across programs, levels, or regions. For many families and gyms, this is financially unsustainable. 

At California Springs, I coach over 78 Level 3-5 athletes and manage a rental collection of more than 70 leotards, most of which feature sheer elements that would be banned under the new rule. Modifying or repainting these leotards is not only costly but often not feasible due to delicate materials and stonework. 

I respectfully ask the Rhythmic Program Committee to reconsider the current and upcoming attire restrictions - not only for the sake of clarity and consistency but also to ensure we are fostering a welcoming, sustainable environment for all participants. Let's protect the artistic would of our sport while allowing families and coaches to focus on what truly matters: the growth, development, and joy of our gymnasts.

We propose:

Clear, objective rules around leotards design that align more closely with FIG standards.

Sufficient notice and transition periods before implementing any major changes.

Flexibility and understand, particularly for the remainder of this season, to avoid penalizing athletes at major events like Nationals.

Term limits on elected committee members to reinforce the views of majority within the community.

To this end, I kindly request all coaches who share this concern to join me in signing a collecting statement to override this rule. Together, our voices can help guide the future of our sport in a way that preserves its artistic integrity while supporting our athletes.

With gratitude and respect,

Karine Mantashyan, Head Coach, California Springs School of Rhythmic Gymnastics