Stella Salapatiyska
Stela Salapatiyska is a former Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast who now works as a coach. She is a multiple-time European Championships medalist.
Career
Salapatiyska won the bronze medal in the all-around at the 1993 Junior European Championships held in Bucharest. She also won gold in the team competition with her teammates Boriana Docheva and Elena Stefanova.At the 1996 European Championships in Asker, she won the team bronze along with her teammate Diana Popova. She also placed fifth in the individual all-around competition and tied for seventh in the ball final. Although she had placed higher than Popova, Popova was chosen over her to compete at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
In 1997, at the European Championships in Patras, she placed seventh in the all-around, sixth in the rope final and seventh in the ribbon final.
Salapatiyska was removed from the national team before the 1997 World Championships due to conflicts with the national coach, Neshka Robeva, over her abusive treatment. Salapatiyska alleged experiencing physical abuse as well as insults. She was suspended from competing for two years, and with little hope that she could continue her competitive career afterward, she chose to study to become a coach instead.
Although she received offers to work abroad, she stayed in Bulgaria and began coaching at the club founded by Iliana Raeva. She has coached gymnasts such as Elizabeth Paisieva.