The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) did not go along with the Germans and members of the European Parliament, who urged not to allow Russians to compete. This is not yet a final and 100% victory, but there is something more important behind the decision than just the question of participating in tournaments.
FIG changed positionRussian gymnasts were suspended from international competitions in March 2022, of course, explaining this by the conflict in Ukraine. Moreover, there were no special prerequisites for revising the decision, even despite the obvious importance of our athletes for the world of sports, and even more so for rhythmic gymnastics. FIG head Morinari Watanabe made long statements about the unifying power of sport, but in no way translated it into real deeds.
There was a feeling that no changes should be expected in this sport in Russia, but in FIG they were very surprised. At a meeting of the executive committee of the organization in Lausanne, they decided to return Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to the world stage in a neutral status without communication with national federations and national Olympic committees.
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“By accepting Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to participate in competitions as neutral athletes, the FIG ensures the rights of all athletes are respected and sends a signal to the world that gymnastics is striving for peace,” said FIG head Morinari Watanab e.
What does it all mean and how to react? Gymnastics was not the first discipline where ours and Belarusians were given a green signal to return. In tennis, for example, no one has suspended anyone, with the exception of the British Wimbledon, and even there they revised the position this year. There were successful cases with the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the world and European championships in judo and taekwondo.
The position of the FIG speaks of a changed trend, because to announce the admission of Russia in the current circumstances requires a certain courage. Just a few days ago, the President of the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB), Alfons Hölzl, opposed the return of Russian athletes to international competitions, citing the following argument.
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«Athlete neutrality is a prerequisite for admission. I don't understand how it should look like in practice. How can an athlete from Russia be given the status of neutral? — Sportschau quotes Hölzl.
Members of the European Parliament adhered to the same position, who generally declared the inadmissibility of the participation of Russians not only in the Olympic Games, but also in all major and minor international tournaments. It is not very clear what the European Parliament has to do with sports, but this is just one of many questions. One way or another, the FIG had to deal with the clear position of the West, but for some reason they went against it.
Surely, after all, the International Gymnastics Federation consulted with the IOC and Thomas Bach before making such a statement. They could not but understand that there would be a fuss, and individual countries would threaten boycotts and God knows what else. But still, they did what they did.
Moreover, so far we are talking about competitions under the auspices of FIG, where we will be admitted on January 1, 2024. But the question of the participation of Russian gymnasts in the Olympic Games in Paris will be left to the IOC. They hold the Moscow Art Theater pause and promise to say everything in October, probably expecting some events not related to sports. There's something going on behind the scenes that we don't know and probably won't find out. But the trend clearly hints that the removal of Russia will not be eternal.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editors.