World Gymnastics lifts sanctions on Russia

The International Gymnastics Federation (World Gymnastics) has authorized Russian athletes to participate in international competitions under the Russian flag and national anthem.

It lifted the sanctions imposed against them due to the war in Ukraine, the Russian Gymnastics Federation announced on Monday, according to EFE, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

''The World Gymnastics Executive Committee has approved the admission of Russian gymnasts to international competitions under the Russian flag and with the national anthem,'' the Russian federation said on its official website, noting that the decision was made on Sunday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. ''This decision applies to the five disciplines affiliated with the Russian Gymnastics Federation: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, acrobatic gymnastics and aerobic gymnastics,'' the statement added.

''The Russian Gymnastics Federation welcomes the decision of World Gymnastics to fully readmit Russian athletes, restoring their right to compete under the national flag and anthem. "It is an important step in strengthening the unity of the global gymnastics community and protecting the interests of athletes. I would like to personally thank the President of the International Gymnastics Federation, Morinari Watanabe, for his consistent position, constructive approach and support for the principles of open international sport," said the President of the Russian Federation, Oleg Belozerov, quoted in the press release.

The first occasion when athletes from Russia will compete under the Russian flag and national anthem will be the stages of the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, which will take place on May 29-31, June 5-7 and June 19-21.

Subsequently, aerobic gymnasts will have this privilege at the World Cup stages in Azerbaijan (June 5-7) and China (June 27-29), as well as at the Senior World Championships and the Junior World Championships in Spain, which will take place from September 4-13, 2026.

Russian trampoline athletes will compete at the World Cup in Switzerland, which will take place from June 26-27, and at the World Cup in Portugal, which will take place on July 4-5.

Rhythmic gymnasts will compete at the World Cup in Cluj-Napoca (June 26-28), the World Cup in Milan (July 10-12) and the World Championships in Germany (August 12-16).

Artistic gymnasts are scheduled to participate in the World Championships in the Netherlands, which will take place from October 17-25.

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee recommended that international federations not organize any competitions on the territory of Russia or its ally Belarus and that their athletes compete only with neutral status, without a flag and national anthem.

PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA