The International Gymnastics Federation has lifted all sanctions against Russia and Belarus
World Gymnastics has completely lifted all existing restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus.
The decision was made by the organization’s executive committee, according to its official website.
From now on, athletes from these aggressor countries will be able to return unhindered to full-fledged competition on the world stage.
The adopted document restores the right of representatives of both countries to use national symbols during official events.
The decision means that Russian and Belarusian gymnasts are permitted to compete under their national symbols, with their flag and anthem, at all international competitions organized by the federation.
This move effectively nullifies previous efforts to isolate the countries on the international stage.
The main reason for the federation’s softening of its position was the latest updated directives from the leadership of the Olympic movement.
The decision was made after the International Olympic Committee recommended in early May that federations lift restrictions on Belarus.
No such recommendations were made regarding Russia. Despite this, the governing body of gymnastics decided to go far beyond the official proposals.
The history of sanctions pressure in this sport has lasted over two years. The International Gymnastics Federation’s sanctions have been in place against Russia and Belarus since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since early 2024, local athletes have been allowed to return to competition under “neutral” status and participate in the qualifiers for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Now, their rights have been fully restored.
Gymnastics is not the first sport to see a large-scale return of athletes from the intervening countries. Since early May, the International Wrestling Federation (UWW) has also lifted all restrictions on Russia and Belarus.
In April, World Aquatics, the governing international federation for aquatic sports, adopted a similar decision. Thus, a systematic trend is emerging among global sports institutions.
At the same time, the main Olympic body is attempting to publicly demonstrate the steadfastness of its initial anti-war strategy.
The IOC is maintaining its recommendations barring Russian athletes from competing under their national flag—a position confirmed by the organization’s executive board in early May.
In particular, this decision was made in part due to an investigation by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which resulted in 300 Russian athletes being sanctioned for doping.
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