The Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (World Gymnastics) has allowed Russian athletes to participate in international competitions with the national flag and anthem. The news was released by the Russian Gymnastics Federation (FGR).
The decision applies to all five disciplines in the structure of the FGR: artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, sports acrobatics and sports aerobics.
The President of the Russian Gymnastics Federation Oleg Belozerov thanked the President of the International Gymnastics Federation Morinari Watanabe for the “constructive approach and support for the principles of open international sport”. According to him, the admission of Russian athletes with national symbols will be an important step in strengthening the unity of the world gymnastics community.
The representatives of sports acrobatics will compete first under the new rules. In May and June, they will participate in stages of the World Cup in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan. In June, aerobics competitions will be held as part of the World Cup stages in Azerbaijan and China, and in September the World Championship will be held in Spain.
Russian trampoline competitors will participate in World Cup stages in Switzerland and Portugal in June and July. Rhythmic gymnastics competitions are scheduled for late June in Romania, in July in Milan, and in August the World Championship will be held in Germany. In addition, Russian gymnasts are to participate in the World Championship in the Netherlands in October.
In 2022, the International Gymnastics Federation suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. From the beginning of 2024, they were allowed to participate in tournaments under neutral status.
On May 7, it was reported that the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee had upheld the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and the recommendations for sanctions against Russian athletes. At the same time, the IOC lifted recommendations for restrictions on Belarusian athletes, including a ban on participating in team competitions and holding international tournaments.
Illustrative photo: https://www.pexels.com/search/russian%20flag/
