FIG Restores Russian and Belarusian Flag Rights in Gymnastics
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has officially lifted bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags and anthems. This decision, adopted during an executive meeting in Egypt, reverses restrictions imposed in 2022 following the Ukraine conflict. Previously limited to neutral status, gymnasts from both nations can now fully represent their countries across all five disciplines. The change marks a significant policy shift, with sports acrobatics competitors set to debut under national symbols at the upcoming World Cup in Bulgaria, signaling a move toward normalization in international gymnastics.
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Ukraine Protests Russia's Return to Gymnastics with 'Close Your Eyes and Ears' Campaign
The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation (UGF) is calling for global action after its athletes protested the return of Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to international competition. On May 18, 2026, the World Gymnastics (FIG) Executive Committee lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under national symbols for the first time in over four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the European Championships in Varna, Bulgaria, Ukrainian gymnasts Sofiia Krainska and Varvara Chubarova covered their eyes and ears with headphones during the Russian and Belarusian anthems after finishing behind competitors from those nations. The UGF has launched a 'Flashmob #CloseYourEyesAndEars' campaign, urging supporters to post photos or videos covering their eyes or ears with air-raid sounds. The federation is also challenging FIG's decision across multiple jurisdictions and lobbying European Gymnastics ahead of an Extraordinary General Assembly expected to ratify the policy change.
Forbes - BusinessEuropean Gymnastics Federation Lifts Sanctions on Russian and Belarusian Athletes
The European Gymnastics Federation has lifted all sanctions imposed on athletes from Russia and Belarus related to the war in Ukraine, effective immediately. The decision, announced on May 24, 2026, follows the International Gymnastics Federation's (World Gymnastics) earlier move to remove restrictions. Athletes from both countries can now compete in European competitions wearing their national symbols, including flags and anthems. The sanctions were originally imposed in February 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with a neutral athlete pathway introduced in 2024. The European body's executive committee voted online, and the decision will be ratified at an extraordinary general meeting soon. Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova had previously won world titles in 2025 while competing under a neutral flag.
Digi24Ukraine Calls for Emergency Congress After FIG Lifts Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Gymnasts
The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation (UGF) has condemned World Gymnastics' (FIG) decision to lift all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete with national flags and anthems. The restrictions were originally imposed in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The UGF argues the decision contradicts FIG's ethical principles and anti-discrimination policy, creates discrimination against Ukrainian athletes, and forces them into an unbearable moral choice between patriotic duty and withdrawal. The UGF has called for an extraordinary FIG Congress to debate the issue, claiming the Executive Committee exceeded its authority. The decision follows the 2025 World Championships where Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova competed as a neutral athlete and won gold.
Forbes - BusinessWorld Gymnastics Lifts Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Athletes
World Gymnastics has announced the removal of all restrictions previously imposed on athletes from Russia and Belarus following the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The governing body issued a brief statement on Monday confirming the decision but did not provide specific details regarding its implementation. According to reports from the Russian news agency TASS, the Russian Gymnastics Federation stated that its athletes are now permitted to compete under their national flags, uniforms, and anthems. This marks a significant shift from the neutral status required since 2024. The decision aligns with recent moves by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which earlier this month lifted all sanctions against Belarusian athletes, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place within the Olympic framework. Previously, athletes from both nations faced broad bans across many sports, with limited participation allowed under neutral banners at events like the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. This development signals a potential normalization of participation for these nations in international gymnastics competitions, diverging slightly from the broader Olympic stance on Russia.
yahoo sportsWorld Gymnastics Federation Allows Russian Athletes to Compete Under National Flag
The World Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has officially lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, permitting them to compete under their national flags and anthems in future international competitions. This decision marks a significant shift from previous regulations, which required athletes from these nations to participate only as 'individual neutral athletes' without national symbols. The announcement was made following a session held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. While the federation confirmed the policy change, specific details regarding the implementation timeline and procedural adjustments were not immediately disclosed in the initial communication. The Russian Gymnastics Federation welcomed the move, confirming via the Tass news agency that its athletes are now fully reinstated with national representation. This development occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which had led to widespread sanctions and neutral status requirements for Russian competitors across various global sports bodies. The article notes that this update will continue to be developed as more information becomes available.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und DebattenWorld Gymnastics Lifts Ban on Russian and Belarusian Flags and Anthems
World Gymnastics has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian national flags and anthems, fully restoring membership rights that were suspended following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The governing body announced that athletes from both nations can now compete under their national symbols in all five disciplines: artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, acrobatic, and aerobic gymnastics. Russia’s Gymnastics Federation praised the move as a significant step toward unity and athlete protection, with President Oleg Belozyorov thanking World Gymnastics President Morinari Watanabe for his supportive stance. This decision allows Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to participate in upcoming World Cups and championships scheduled for the summer and fall of 2026. The first event featuring athletes under the restored status will be the sports acrobatics World Cup in Burgas, Bulgaria. This reversal aligns with similar reinstatement trends observed in other international sports federations, such as World Aquatics and United World Wrestling, marking a shift away from the neutral athlete requirements previously mandated by the International Olympic Committee.
The Moscow Times - Independent News From RussiaInternational Gymnastics Federation Lifts Ban on Russian and Belarusian Athletes Competing Under National Flags
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has officially lifted its ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus, permitting them to compete under their national flags and anthems. This decision, made by the FIG executive committee during a meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 16–17, 2026, ends restrictions that were initially imposed in February 2022 following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. Between 2024 and the present, athletes from these nations had been allowed to participate only under neutral status. The new ruling applies to all five disciplines governed by the Gymnastics Federation of Russia: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, sports acrobatics, and aerobic gymnastics. Sports acrobatics competitors will be the first to benefit from this change, scheduled to appear under the Russian flag at the World Cup stage in Burgas, Bulgaria, from May 29–31, 2026. This move marks a significant shift in international sports policy regarding Russian participation, reversing years of isolation in gymnastics competitions.
Meduza.ioInternational Gymnastics Federation Restores Russian Flag and Anthem Rights
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has officially lifted restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flag and anthem. This decisive ruling was adopted during an Executive Committee meeting held in Egypt. The decision updates the FIG's previous policy, which had required Russian competitors to participate only in a neutral status without national symbols. The new regulation applies comprehensively to both junior and senior athletes across all five recognized gymnastics disciplines: Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Sports Aerobics, and Sports Acrobatics. This development follows earlier controversies in 2026, where Russian junior rhythmic gymnasts were excluded from the European Cup due to bureaucratic delays in processing neutral-status applications. The initial restrictions on Russian participation in international sports were introduced in 2022 by the International Olympic Committee in response to the conflict in Ukraine. This latest move by the FIG marks a significant shift toward reinstating full national representation for Russian gymnasts in international competitions, reversing years of limited participation protocols.
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