The Russian gymnastics federation mentioned Saturday that its gymnasts who’ve been granted “impartial standing” have determined to not compete in world occasions in protest on the exclusion of others.
The Swiss-based global ruling frame for gymnastics, FIG, in past due March accredited 12 Russian gymnasts to go into world competitions as “impartial” athletes.
This standing calls for them to compete with none Russian logos and to have now not publicly supported Moscow’s Ukraine offensive.
FIG to begin with banned Russians and Belarusians from festival when Russia introduced its army offensive in Ukraine in 2022.
This has had a significant have an effect on at the recreation the place Russia excels.
On Saturday, Russia’s gymnastics federation mentioned in a remark that “the entire Russian athletes… who’ve won impartial standing have taken a call to abstain from taking part in upcoming competitions underneath the aegis of FIG.”
It mentioned they have been motivated through “a lot of groundless and prejudiced rejections” of different gymnasts, announcing the federation “stocks the athletes’ place.”
Contacted through AFP, FIG declined to remark. “The FIG does now not touch upon any AIN [individual neutral athletes] choices,” it mentioned.
Russian Sports activities Minister Mikhail Degtyarev praised the athletes’ choice, announcing the gymnasts adopted the “concept of 1 for all and eager about one.”
FIG dominated in 2023 that Russian and Belarusian gymnasts could be allowed to compete in world competitions as “person impartial athletes” from Jan. 1, 2024.
However the Russian federation refused to agree to the stipulations.
In February, regardless that, its First Deputy President Vasily Titov instructed Fit TV that it was once making use of for approximately 100 Russian gymnasts to get the standing.
FIG president Morinari Watanabe visited Ukraine and Russia in March.
