(L to R) Canada gymnasts Mariam Chamilova, Demetra Mantcheva, and Alexandra Martincek celebrate from the podium after winning the silver medal in the rhythmic gymnastics team final at Indira Gandhi sports complex during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, on October 12, 2010. The Indian capital is hosting the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event in the city since the 1982 Asian Games.MANPREET ROMANA
Despite the late substitution of a gymnast due to an injury, Canada's rhythmic gymnastics team combined for a team silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi Tuesday.
The 11-nation team competition saw medals earned by Australia, Canada and England finishing in the medals.
With original team member Nerissa Mo of Vancouver hurt, Toronto's Alexandra Martincek got the call to join Canadian teammates Mariam Chamilova of Maple, Ont., and Demetra Mantcheva of Richmond, B.C. in Delhi.
"The late roster change was stressful on us all," Mantcheva said.
"Alexandra only found out two days before we left that she would be competing."
Canada was in third position with 130.950 points after the first section - two-hand apparatus elements such as the jump rope and hoop - with Australia, first with 140.200, and England, second with 132.700 points.
The second section had the athletes performing with the ball and the ribbon. They manipulate the ball, athletes used flexibility while they mixed throws, catches, bouncing and rolling the ball over their bodies or the floor. The ribbon movements included snakes, spirals, throws and catches. Ultimately, ribbon routines determined the medal standings.
"I knew I had to go out and do a strong routine and make a good last impression," Martincek said.
Canada finished with a score of 224.325, moving up from bronze position to win silver.
Chamilova and Demetra Mantcheva will be competing in the all-around final Wednesday. On the Games-closing Thursday, the individual apparatus finals will have Chamilova vying in the rope, ball, ribbon and hoop finals, while and Martincek competing in the ball apparatus finals.