MOSCOW, May 2, Pavel Levkovich. President of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (VFCG) ) Irina Viner-Usmanova told reporters that athletes from Asian countries will perform at the international rhythmic gymnastics tournament in Russia on May 10. From May 1 to 3, international competitions with the participation of representatives of Russia, Belarus, Armenia are held in Moscow at the Irina Viner-Usmanova Gymnastics Palace , Belgium and France.
"Today is the first international tournament after the announcement of sanctions against us. Well, countries and national teams do not come here yet, but girls from clubs, contenders for getting into the national teams, are here. We have gymnasts from Belgium, Armenia and France. And, of course, Belarus. There would be gymnasts from Asia, but they have a championship at this time, so there are none. But they will arrive on May 10 for an international tournament. This is our representation. If we talk about our girls, we have them from different regions: Adygea, Siberia, Ulyanovsk, Rostov — from all over our great homeland", said Viner-Usmanova.
Earlier, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for the aggravation of the situation in Ukraine, banned Russian and Belarusian athletes, as well as officials, including judges, from participating in competitions under the auspices of FIG starting from March 7. «Now we must give more opportunities for girls to compete so that they do not feel harassment and no other moments that will infringe on their sporting dignity, results and form. After today's competitions, we will have competitions on May 10, May 26, etc. We will always hold them: in Krasnoyarsk, in Omsk, will be in Belgorod, Yaroslavl. At all these competitions there will be representatives from abroad. Very young girls will also perform, they are now doing what adults do not do. Kids do very interesting things, «said and the head of the WFHG.