MOSCOW, June 4, Sergei Fuchs. The removal of elements named after Russian gymnasts by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is leveling rhythmic gymnastics, said the president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (ARRG) Irina Viner at the presentation of her autobiographical book «I Am Nobody».
«They removed the interesting elements of our great athletes, they all did interesting things, but now they have been removed. The medical commission allegedly says that this is dangerous to health. And is it not dangerous for women to jump on a balance beam and box? Rhythmic gymnastics is being leveled, it can be removed from the Olympic program. My coach, she is 50 years old, said that this is the program for her,» Viner told reporters.
Earlier, the FIG removed five elements named after Russian gymnasts from the rules for the new season. Elements named after «artists» Zarina Gizikova (three), Olga Kapranova and Daria Trubnikova were removed from the rules for the new Olympic cycle for the period from 2025 to 2028. The named elements of Evgenia Kanaeva, Alina Kabaeva, Amina Zaripova, Laysan Utyasheva and Lala Kramarenko remained on the list.